- Arthur Kaluma, a 23-year-old Ugandan-American basketball player, has defied the odds by signing with the Los Angeles Lakers after going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft—for the third time.
- In his final collegiate season, he posted impressive numbers: 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
23-year-old Arthur Kaluma, a Ugandan-American basketball player, experienced a significant milestone in his quest to play professionally as he inked a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft for the third time, he quickly found a home with one of the league’s premier franchises.
Kaluma, who has represented three different colleges throughout his collegiate career, will now team up with one of the greatest players in NBA history, LeBron James.
Prior to the draft, he played for the Texas Longhorns, where during his year there, he averaged 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, highlighting his exceptional playmaking skills.
Although the team struggled to make a significant impact, he emerged as one of its standout players. According to rankings before the draft, Kaluma was positioned 52nd among the NBA’s top 75 draft prospects by The Athletic.
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His strong rebounding abilities and capability to provide secondary risk protection caught the Lakers’ attention, prompting them to sign him without delay. Consequently, gaining experience alongside elite players like LeBron and Luka Dončić will be invaluable for his development and growth.
Kaluma also has a brother named Adam Seiko, who is also a basketball player, and the two faced off against each other in the Elite Eight of the 2023 NCAA tournament.
His other siblings include Abigail Ariko and Anna Ariko. Their parents are Patrick Ariko and Saira Ariko, both of whom are Ugandan. In 2020, Kaluma claimed his Ugandan citizenship.
