Arthur Kaluma

Photo by: Lathe Cobb Photography

Photo by: Lathe Cobb Photography

Photo by: Lathe Cobb Photography

Photo by: Lathe Cobb Photography

Kansas State Men's Basketball vs. Emporia, November 1, 2023. Final: KSU 102, EU 68.

(Photo: Sophie Osborn/K-State Sports)

Photo by: © Sophie Osborn/K-State Sports

Photo by: Lathe Cobb Photography

Position:
Wing
Ht./Wt.:
6-7 / 225
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Glendale, Ariz.
High School:
Dream CIty Christian
Prev School:
Creighton

FEATURES (click on headline for link)

A Different Aggression (K-State Sports Extra, Feb. 26, 2024)
Kaluma Finding His Edge (K-State Sports Extra, Jan. 23, 2023)
The Shooter and the Punisher (K-State Sports Extra, Dec. 6, 2023)
Continuing to Ascend (K-State Sports Extra, Nov. 27, 2023)
A Basketball State of Mind (K-State Sports Extra, Oct. 26, 2023)

HONORS

2024 Honorable Mention All-Big 12 (coaches)
Big 12 Player of the Week (12/11/23)
2-time Big 12 Newcomer of the Week (1/22/24, 2/26/24)
USBWA/Oscar Robertson Trophy National Player of the Week (12/12/23)
2023 Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship All-Tournament Team
2023-24 Preseason Watch List for the Julius Erving Award
2023-24 Preseason All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (league coaches)
2022-23 Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team (league coaches)
2022-23 Preseason Watch List for Karl Malone Award
2022 BIG EAST All-Freshman Team
2022 BIG EAST All-Tournament Team
2-time BIG EAST Freshman of the Week (2/14/22, 3/6/22)

CAREER OVERVIEW

Applied for early entry into the NBA Draft for the second time in April 2024.
Opted to transfer to Texas in June 2024 after playing one season (2023-24) at K-State and 2 seasons (2021-23) at Creighton.
Has won 66 games in his college career, including 47 with the Bluejays that included a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances (2022, 2023) and the school’s first trip to the Elite Eight in 2022-23… Helped K-State to 19 wins and a NIT berth in 2023-24.
Named honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2023-24 after earning BIG EAST All-Freshman and All-Tournament honors in 2021-22… Has twice been selected to the Preseason Watch Lists for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award (2022-23) and the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award (2023-24).
Saw action in 101 games with 99 starts in his college career, averaging double-figure scoring in all 3 seasons… Has scored 1,233 points (12.2 ppg.) on 43.1 percent (423-of-962), including 31.2 percent (119-of-382) from 3-point range, and 72.8 percent (268-of-368) from the free throw line… Eclipsed 1,000 career points vs. Oklahoma State (1/20/24)… Has totaled 619 rebounds, 168 assists, 56 blocks and 66 steals in 3,055 minutes.
Posted 68 career double-digit scoring games, including 10 games of 20 or more points with a career-high of 28 points vs. No. 25/21 BYU (2/24/24)… Had six 20-point games in 2023-24.
Collected 8 career double-doubles, including 5 in 2023-24… Totaled his first 20-point, 10-rebound effort in a win over No. 25/21 BYU (2/24/24) with 28 points on 8-of-11 field goals and 10-of-12 free throws to go with 10 rebounds… Had back-to-back double-doubles against Seton Hall (1/3/23) and UConn (1/7/23) while at Creighton.
Averaged 13.2 points on 43.6 percent (24-of-55) shooting to go with 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 35.2 minutes per game in 6 career NCAA Tournament games… Posted a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds vs. eventual NCAA champion Kansas (3/19/22).
A consensus Top 50 prospect out of Dream City Christian in Glendale, Ariz., where he averaged a near double-double as a senior in 2020-21 with team-highs in both scoring (24.7 ppg.) and rebounding (9.7 rpg.).
Has international experience having played for Uganda, where he earned citizenship in 2020… Played in the 2021 AfroBasket and 2022 FIBA World Cup African Qualifier.
Played against older brother – Adam Seiko – in the NCAA Tournament while he was at San Diego State in both 2022 and 2023… Seiko helped the Aztecs to a program-record 120 wins during his 6-year stint (2017-23) capped by a trip to the 2023 NCAA Championship game.

Career-High Points: 28 vs. No. 25/21 BYU (2/24/24) while at K-State
Career-High Rebounds: 16 at UConn (1/7/23) while at Creighton
Career-High Assists: 5 at St. John’s (2/18/23) while at Creighton
Career-High Steals: 2, done twice (both at K-State)

vs. Bellarmine (11/10/23)
vs. Wichita State (12/21/23)

Career-High Blocks: 4 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (11/9/21) while at Creighton

Top Career Scoring Games
28 vs. BYU (2/24/24)
27 vs. BYU (12/10/22)
26 vs. Villanova (12/5/23)
24 vs. Kansas (3/19/22)
23 vs. Oklahoma State (1/20/24)
23 vs. Iowa State (3/9/24)
20 vs. St. John’s (1/19/22)
20 vs. Xavier (1/28/23)
20 vs. Central Arkansas (11/22/23)
20 vs. Oral Roberts (11/28/23)

AS A JUNIOR AT K-STATE (2023-24) | 14.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.0 APG | Game-by-Game Stats (.pdf)

Helped guide the Wildcats to a 19-15 overall record, including a tie for ninth in the Big 12 with an 8-10 mark, and a trip to the NIT.
Saw action in 33 games with 32 starts… Started the last 27 games… Ranked third on the team in both total minutes (1,138) and minutes/game (34.5 mpg.).
Averaged 14.4 points on 42.7 percent (153-of-358) shooting, including 34.5 percent (51-of-148) from 3-point range, with a team-best 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game… Connected on 74.7 percent (118-of-158) from the free throw line.
One of four Big 12 players (Kansas’ Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar Jr. and TCU’s Emanuel Miller) to rank in the top-15 in both scoring and rebounding… Ranked fifth in the Big 12 rebounding (7.0 rpg.) and 13th in scoring (14.4 ppg.).
Ranked among Big 12’s bests in 5 categories, including third in defensive rebounds (5.61), fifth in rebounding (7.0 rpg.) and minutes (34.5 mpg.), 13th in scoring (14.4 ppg.) and 15th in free throw percentage (74.7).
Scored in double figures in a team-best 28 games, including 6 games of 20 or more points (3 in Big 12 play)… Scored a career-high 28 points in the win over No. 21/25 BYU (2/24/24) on 8-of-11 field goals and 10-of-12 free throws… Also had 20-point games vs. Central Arkansas (20 points), Oral Roberts (20 points), Villanova (26 points), Oklahoma State (23 points) and No. 6/6 Iowa State (23 points).
Eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau in a win over Oklahoma State (1/20/24).
Posted double-digit points in 8 consecutive games, including three 20-point games, from Nov. 10-Dec. 9… The stretch included 18 points in consecutive games vs. Providence (11/17/23) and No. 12/11 Miami (11/19/23) then back-to-back 20-point outings vs. Central Arkansas (11/22/23) and Oral Roberts (11/28/23).
Named one of 5 national players of the week by the Oscar Robertson Trophy and USBWA as well as Big 12 Player of the Week on Dec. 11-12 after averaging 21.5 points on 76.2 percent shooting to go with 10 rebounds in the wins over Villanova (12/5/23) and at LSU (12/9/23).
Twice selected as the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week on Jan. 22 and Feb. 26… Won the honor for the first time Jan. 22 after averaging 17.5 points on 52.4 percent (11-of-21) shooting to go with 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in 38.5 minutes per game in home wins over No. 9/9 Baylor (1/16/24) and Oklahoma State (1/20/24)… Won it for a second time Feb. 26 after averaging 22.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in games at Texas (2/19/24) and No. 25/21 BYU (2/24/24).
Led the team with 5 double-doubles… Posted his first career 20-point, 10-rebound double-double (and the team’s only one in 2023-24) with his career-best 28 points and 10 rebounds vs. No. 25/21 BYU (2/24/24)… Also had double-doubles vs. No. 11/12 Miami (18 points, 12 rebounds), LSU (17 points, 12 rebounds), Chicago State (14 points and 13 rebounds) and No. 9/9 Baylor (12 points, 10 rebounds).
Led the team in 3 rebounding categories, including average (7.0 rpg.), total (231) and defensive rebounds (185)… Had double-digit rebounding totals, including a season-high 13 boards vs. Chicago State (1/2/24).
Ranked third on the team in both 3-point field goals made (51) and attempted (148)… Posted a season-high 4 triples at West Virginia (1/9/24).
One of three Wildcats to make and attempt 100 or more free throws, hitting on 74.7 percent (118-of-158)… Twice knocked down 10 free throws on 12 attempts (vs. North Alabama (12/2/24) and No. 25/21 BYU (2/24/24).
Was third on the team in assists (67)… Dished out 4 assists on 4 occasions, including vs. Villanova (12/5/23), Oklahoma State (1/20/24), No. 25/21 BYU (2/24/24) and West Virginia (2/26/24).
Ranked third on the team with 27 steals… Had a season-high 3 steals vs. Oklahoma State (1/20/24) and No. 6/6 Iowa State (3/9/24).
Had 17 blocked shots with a season-high 2 on 4 occasions.
Started all 18 Big 12 games… Averaged 14.5 points on 42.1 percent (82-of-195) shooting, including 35.6 percent (32-of-90) from 3-point range, in league-only games with a team-best 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 34.5 minutes per game… Connected on 73.9 percent (65-of-88) from the free throw line.
Scored in double figures in 16 of 18 Big 12 games, including 3 20-point performances.
Ranked among the Big 12’s best in 4 categories, including third in defensive rebounds (5.3 drpg.), ninth in rebounding (6.1 rpg.), 11th in scoring (14.5 ppg.) and minutes (34.5 mpg.).
Coached by Jerome Tang.

SUMMER 2023 | INTERNATIONAL TRIP TO ISRAEL, ABU DHABI | 22.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.0 APG

Played in all 3 games with 2 starts in the Wildcats’ historic 10-day trip to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel, and Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., which ran from August 9-20.
Averaged 12 points on 48.2 percent (13-of-27) shooting, including 33.3 percent (4-of-12) from 3-point range, with 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 22.0 minutes per game… Also connected on 75 percent (6-of-8) from the free throw line.
Scored a team-high 23 points in the opener vs. Israeli Select (8/15/23), hitting on 8-of-11 field goals, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range, to go with 5 rebounds.

AS A SOPHOMORE AT CREIGHTON (2022-23) | 11.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.7 APG | Game-by-Game Stats (.pdf)

Led the Bluejays to a 24-13 overall record, including a third-place finish in the BIG EAST standings with a 14-6 mark, and the school’s first trip to the Elite Eight, where they lost to eventual NCAA runner-up San Diego State.
Started all 37 games in 2022-23.
Averaged 11.8 points on 42.3 percent (146-of-345) shooting from the field, including 31.1 percent (41-of-132) from 3-point range, to go with 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 29.4 minutes per game… Connected on 73.6 percent (103-of-140) from the free throw line.
Scored in double figures in 26 games, including a pair of 20-point games… Posted a career-best 27 points vs. BYU (12/10/22), hitting on 8-of-14 field goals, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range… Also had 20 points in a home win over No. 13 Xavier (1/28/23).
Totaled 2 double-doubles with each coming in back-to-back games on the road… Had 14 points and 11 rebounds at Seton Hall (1/3/23) before a 14-point, 16-rebound performance at No. 4 UConn (1/7/23).
End his sophomore season playing his best basketball, averaging 10.8 points on 50 percent (13-of-26) shooting with 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in Creighton’s 4 NCAA Tournament games… Had a near double-double in the opening win over N.C. State (3/17/23) with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists before an 11-point, 7-rebound effort in the win over No. 11 Baylor (3/19/23) in round two… Registered 10 points and 6 rebounds in the Sweet 16 win over Princeton (3/24/23)… Posted 12 points and 5 rebounds vs. San Diego State (3/26/23).
Led the team in both free throws made (103) and attempted (140), connecting on 73.6 percent… Went perfect from the line in 12 games, including 6-of-6 vs. St. John’s (2/18/23) and N.C. State (3/17/23) in the NCAA Tournament.
Was third on the team in rebounding (6.0 rpg.)… Was second with 222 total rebounds, including 162 on the defensive end… Twice totaled double-digit rebounds, including a career-best 16 at No. 4 UConn (1/7/23).
Knocked down 41 3-point field goals, which ranked fourth on the team… Had a season-high 4 treys vs. BYU (12/10/22).
Dished out 61 assists, which was fourth on the team… Posted a season-best 5 assists at St. John’s (2/18/23) while he had 4 in 3 games.
Was third on the team with 21 blocked shots, including a season-high 2 on 4 occasions.
Started all 20 BIG EAST games… Averaged 11.2 points on 41.5 percent (76-of-183) shooting, including 32.3 percent (20-of-62) from 3-point range in league-only games with 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 29.9 minutes per game… Connected on 73.2 percent (52-of-71) from the free throw line.
Scored in double figures 13 games with one 20-point games.
Coached by Greg McDermott.

SUMMER 2022 | FIBA WORLD CUP 2023 AFRICAN QUALIFIERS | 22.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG

Played with the Ugandan National Team at the FIBA World Cup 2023 African Qualifier in Kigali, Rwanda in July 2-3, 2022.
Averaged 22.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in the 2-game qualifier.
Scored 18 points vs. Cape Verde (7/2/22) before pouring in 27 points and 6 rebounds vs. Nigeria (7/3/22).
Coached by George Galanopoulos.

AS A FRESHMAN AT CREIGHTON (2021-22) | 10.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.3 APG | Game-by-Game Stats (.pdf)

Led the Bluejays to a 23-12 overall record, including a fourth-place finish in the BIG EAST standing with a 12-7 mark, and a trip to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to eventual NCAA champion Kansas in the second round.
Was named to the BIG EAST All-Freshman and All-Tournament Teams… Was twice named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week (2/14/22 and 3/6/22).
Saw action in 31 of 35 games with 30 starts… Missed 4 games due to injury (Feb. 12-20, 2022).
Averaged 10.4 points on 44.4 percent (124-of-279) shooting from the field, including 26.5 percent (27-of-102) from 3-point range, to go with 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 26.8 minutes per game… Connected on 67.1 percent (47-of-70) from the free throw line.
Tied for second on the team with 21 dunks.
Scored in double figures in 14 games, including a pair of 20-point games, and a double-double capped by the 24-point, 12-rebound effort vs. No. 3 Kansas (3/19/22) in the NCAA Tournament.
Averaged 18 points and 9 rebounds in the 2022 NCAA Tournament… Scored 12 points and added 6 rebounds in 44 minutes in the first round win over brother Adam Seiko and San Diego State (3/17/22) before the double-double vs. Kansas (3/19/22).
Played well during the Bluejays’ 3-game run to the BIG EAST Championship game, averaging 13.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game… Scored 17 points in the win over No. 11 Providence (3/11/22) before a 9-point, 12-rebound effort vs. No. 8 Villanova (3/12/22) in title game.
Averaged 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in the last 9 games of the season after returning from injury… Had 12 points and 6 rebounds in 19 minutes in return at St. John’s (2/23/22), including the go-ahead basket with 2:01 left.
Posted 15 points, 8 rebounds and a career-best 4 blocks in his regular-season debut vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (11/9/21)… He is one of two Bluejays (Doug McDermott) since 1973 to have at least 15 points and 5 rebounds in their freshman debut.
Was third on the team in rebounding (5.4 rpg.)… Totaled 166 board on the year, including 130 on the defensive end… Twice grabbed 12 rebounds, including vs. No. 8 Villanova (3/12/22) and No. 3 Kansas (3/19/22).
Was fourth on the team in 3-point field goals (27)… Twice knocked down 4 treys in a game, including vs. St. John’s (1/19/22) and vs. No. 3 Kansas (3/19/22) in NCAA Tournament.
Dished out 40 assists on the year… Had 2 or more assists in 13 games, including a season-high 3 in 3 games.
Was second on the team with 18 blocks, including 4 vs. UAPB (11/9/21).
Played in 15 BIG EAST games with 14 starts… Averaged 9.9 points on 44.7 percent (59-of-132) shooting, including 30.4 percent (14-of-46) from 3-point range in league-only games with 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 26.5 minutes per game… Connected on 72.7 percent (16-of-22) from the free throw line.
Scored in double figures in 5 games, including a high of 20 points vs. St. John’s (1/19/22) on 8-of-11 field goals in 26 minutes.
Coached by Greg McDermott.

SUMMER 2021 | AFROBASKET 2021 | 13.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.8 APG

Played with the Ugandan National Team at the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda… Helped the team to a 1-2 record in Group D and their first quarterfinal appearance ever at the event.
Averaged a team-leading 13.2 points to go with 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 blocks in 28.4 minutes per game… Was second on the team in rebounding.
Scored in double figures in 4 of 5 games, including 21 points vs. Cape Verde in the quarterfinals.
Helped Uganda qualify for AfroBasket 2021 with a game-high 20 points off the bench in debut vs. Morocco.
Played on the team alongside his brother, Adam Seiko, as well as former Baylor player Ish Wainright.
Coached by George Galanopoulos.

HIGH SCHOOL

Played his senior season (2020-21) at Dream City Christian in Glendale, Ariz.
Averaged a team-leading 24.7 points on 52.5 percent shooting, including 32.1 percent from 3-point range, to go with 9.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks per game… Led the Eagles in points (469), rebounds (184) and blocks.
Scored in double figures in all 19 games, including 8 games of at least 20 points, 4 games of 30 or more points and one 40-point game… Posted a season-high 40 points at Tennessee Prep (12/16/20)… Also had 39 points at Colorado Prep (2/25/21)… Collected 9 double-doubles, twice grabbing a season-high 15 rebounds vs. AZ Compass (11/4/20) and Colorado Prep (2/25/21).
Was a consensus Top 50 prospect by most recruiting services in the Class of 2021, including No. 48 in the ESPN100 and No. 49 by 247Sports.
Chose Creighton over a host of schools, including Oklahoma, Kansas, Syracuse, Arizona, Western Kentucky, Texas A&M, UNLV, USC, Arkansas and Arizona State.
Also spent time at Universal Academy in Irving, Texas.
Coached by Kyle Weaver (Dream City Christian).

AAU

Played AAU ball with the Houston Hoops as well as Vegas Elite.
Coached by Sean Stevens.

PERSONAL

Arthur Kaluma was born on March 1, 2002, in Boston, Mass. … Received his Ugandan citizenship in 2020.
Parents are Patrick Ariko and Saira Ariko, who are both of Ugandan descent… Has three siblings (Adam Seiko, Abigal Ariko and Anna Ariko)… His older brother, Adam Seiko, recently finished his career at San Diego State, where he led the Aztecs to a program-record 120 wins during his 6-year stint (2017-23) capped by trip the NCAA Championship game in 2022-23.