What Happened to Arthur Kaluma?
Arthur Kaluma is an Ugandan-American professional basketball player who, after a collegiate career spanning Creighton, Kansas State, and Texas, went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft. He subsequently signed with the Los Angeles Lakers and spent the 2025-2026 season with their G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, where he showcased significant development. As of July 2026, Kaluma is making a strong impression in the NBA Summer League, vying for a larger role within the Lakers organization or another NBA opportunity.
Quick Answer
Arthur Kaluma is currently an unrestricted free agent who played for the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League during the 2025-2026 season. After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers before being waived and joining their G-League affiliate. As of July 2026, Kaluma is having an impressive showing in the NBA Summer League, including a 34-point performance, strengthening his case for an NBA roster spot.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Boston, Massachusetts
Arthur Kaluma was born in Boston, Massachusetts, beginning his journey to professional basketball.
Became a Ugandan Citizen
Kaluma obtained Ugandan citizenship, later allowing him to represent the Uganda men's national basketball team.
Began College Career at Creighton
Arthur Kaluma committed to and began his college basketball career at Creighton University, playing for the Bluejays for two seasons.
Named to Big East All-Freshman Team
After a strong debut season, Kaluma was recognized for his performance by being named to the Big East All-Freshman Team.
Transferred to Kansas State
After declaring for and withdrawing from the 2023 NBA Draft, Kaluma entered the transfer portal and moved to Kansas State University for his junior year.
Withdrew from 2024 NBA Draft and Entered Transfer Portal
Kaluma again withdrew his name from the NBA Draft and entered the transfer portal, seeking a new collegiate opportunity.
Transferred to University of Texas
Kaluma announced his transfer to the University of Texas, where he would play his senior season.
Went Undrafted in 2025 NBA Draft
Despite a productive college career, Arthur Kaluma was not selected in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Signed Exhibit 10 Contract with Los Angeles Lakers
Shortly after the draft, Kaluma signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, providing him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot.
Waived by Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers waived Kaluma, a common move for players on Exhibit 10 contracts, clearing the path for him to join their G-League affiliate.
Joined South Bay Lakers (NBA G League)
Kaluma officially became a member of the South Bay Lakers, the Los Angeles Lakers' G-League team, for the 2025-2026 season.
Elevated Production in G League
Kaluma significantly elevated his performance in March 2026, averaging 16.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over 12 games for the South Bay Lakers.
Strong Performance in 2026 NBA Summer League
Kaluma continued his impressive Summer League run, scoring 18 points in just 16 minutes off the bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
34-Point Outburst in Summer League
Arthur Kaluma delivered a standout performance in the NBA Summer League, scoring 34 points against the Dallas Mavericks, shooting 6-of-10 from beyond the arc.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Arthur Kaluma, born on March 1, 2002, in Boston, Massachusetts, embarked on a notable collegiate basketball career before turning professional. After attending Universal Academy and Dream City Christian School, Kaluma was rated a four-star recruit. He initially committed to UNLV before ultimately choosing Creighton University, where he played for two seasons from 2021 to 2023. During his freshman year (2021-2022), he was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team, averaging 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. His sophomore season saw an increase in production, averaging 11.8 points and 6.0 rebounds, helping Creighton reach the NCAA Elite Eight.
Following his sophomore year, Kaluma declared for the 2023 NBA Draft but later withdrew his name and entered the NCAA transfer portal, eventually transferring to Kansas State for the 2023-2024 season. At Kansas State, he continued to be a key contributor, averaging 14.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors. For the 2024-2025 season, Kaluma transferred again, this time to the University of Texas, where he averaged 12.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
Despite multiple attempts to enter the NBA Draft process, Arthur Kaluma went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft on June 26, 2025. However, his professional journey quickly began when he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on June 29, 2025, following the NBA Summer League. He participated in the Lakers' training camp but was waived on September 25, 2025, a common move for Exhibit 10 contracts. Kaluma then joined the South Bay Lakers, the Lakers' NBA G League affiliate, for the 2025-2026 season.
During his rookie professional season with the South Bay Lakers, Kaluma demonstrated significant growth, appearing in 40 G League games and averaging 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, with impressive shooting splits of 54.9% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range. His performance steadily improved, especially in the latter part of the season, contributing to the team's deep playoff run. As of July 2026, Kaluma is actively participating in the NBA Summer League with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has been a standout performer, averaging 15.3 points in just 20.6 minutes per game across three appearances, including a remarkable 34-point outburst against the Dallas Mavericks on July 12, 2026. These strong showings are positioning him as a strong candidate for a two-way contract or a full NBA roster spot, showcasing his potential to impact the game at the highest level.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Arthur Kaluma made different choices?