Arthur Kaluma’s NBA journey officially began on Sunday night in San Francisco, as the Ugandan forward made his debut for the Los Angeles Lakers in the California Classic Summer League.
Though it was a modest first showing, it marked a proud milestone not just for Kaluma, but for Ugandan basketball as a whole.
Coming off the bench, the 6-foot-7 forward logged 11 minutes in the Lakers’ 103–83 win over the Miami Heat.
He scored 5 points on 1-of-3 shooting, added 2 rebounds, and picked up 2 fouls. He didn’t register any assists or steals.
Born in Texas but proudly representing Uganda internationally, Kaluma has become one of the country’s most prominent basketball exports.
He wore the national colors at AfroBasket 2021 and the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, helping to elevate the profile of Ugandan basketball on the global stage.
This Summer League debut comes just days after Kaluma signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Lakers.
The deal offers a potential pathway into the NBA via the team’s G League affiliate if he doesn’t make the main roster. It’s a low-risk, high-opportunity contract that allows fringe prospects to prove themselves.
Kaluma is no stranger to adapting quickly. He played college ball at Creighton, Kansas State, and Texas, where he averaged 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds in his final season.
On a night when Bronny James drew most of the attention with a flashy dunk and 10 points, Kaluma quietly went about his work.
Now, the challenge is consistency and seizing the moment.
