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Arthur Kaluma, Silverback and Creighton Blue Jays forward announced his eligibility for the 2023 NBA draft, a decision expected to impact Ugandan basketball significantly
Arthur Kaluma, Silverback and Creighton Blue Jays forward announced his eligibility for the 2023 NBA draft, a decision expected to impact Ugandan basketball significantly.
Kaluma announced this via social media, where he thanked his friends, family, and coaches for supporting his career.
"After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to enter the 2023 NBA Draft," Kaluma said in a social media poster. "I am excited to take this next step in my basketball journey and look forward to what the future holds,” he added.
Kaluma attended Universal before transferring to Dream City Christian School in Glendale, Arizona. He joined Creighton in 2021 and was named a starter in his first season, averaging 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
Last season, his numbers improved, with 11 points and six rebounds per game, and his team made a second consecutive appearance in the March Madness tournament.
The NBA draft has been in place since 1947, providing college students with a platform to go professional.
The draft is an annual selection of players that wish to join the league, and teams from across the league pick their favourite players in picks.
These picks vary from season to season, with the worst teams in the best position to get the best players the following season.
Teams can also use their respective draft picks as capital when trading for players in case they want to do business with another franchise.
Although there has been a surge of foreign players recently, notably from the G League and foreign leagues, the news hits differently for basketball fans in Uganda.
Why? Because Kaluma intends to become the second player to have played in the association after Phoenix Suns' Ish Wainwright.
As the weeks lead towards draft day, the speculation will only increase as various mock drafts from different publications state-side.
According to some mock drafts, they have Kaluma going in the second round, but these always fluctuate based on many aspects, including the teams' priorities.
There have been successful second-round picks, including reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and 4-time champion Draymond Green.
At 6ft 7, averaging about 11 points and six rebounds per game in his final season, there will be a couple of teams interested in Kaluma, who has a high ceiling in terms of potential.
It is hard to tell which teams are interested in Kaluma for now, but the build-up to draft day and the mystery of where he will play professionally will still bring lots of excitement to his household.
The impact of Kaluma's declaration on Ugandan basketball is significant.
Players who aspire to go professional will find the motivation to compete and make it to that level.
Kaluma's brother Adam Seiko, whose side, the San Diego Aztecs, defeated Kaluma's Creighton Blue Jays in the elite eight of the NCAA championship, also has a big decision to make regarding the next step.
Seiko is a senior who finished his time in San Diego with a fairytale run to the final four and is also eligible for the draft.
Jane Asinde and Priscilla Abbey are trying to carve out a path to the ever-growing WNBA after having stellar seasons last year as well.
More eyeballs on the NBA from a Ugandan perspective are going to give a lot of fans, media, and all stakeholders a different way in which the sport can grow further back home.
Aspects like marketing in sports, television rights, and their importance in the league's growth will be put into the spotlight much more as the game grows even further in Uganda.
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