Transfer forward Arthur Kaluma withdrawing from 2024 NBA Draft

Transfer forward Arthur Kaluma is withdrawing from the 2024 NBA Draft and returning to college basketball for the 2024-25 season, according to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello. But where he’ll end up remains the biggest question.

Kaluma, who most recently played at Kansas State, will be highly sought after in the portal. He was an All-Big 12 honorable mention last season and averaged nearly 15 points per game.

Kaluma began his college career at Creighton before he transferred to Kansas State ahead of last season.

Arkansas and new head coach John Calipari are prohibitive contenders for Kaluma, though plenty of other schools will likely seek him out. And wherever he ends up, he can likely make an immediate impact.

In 33 games with the Wildcats, Kaluma averaged 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. All of those were a career-best for the Creighton transfer. Kaluma also produced five double-doubles and had 20+ points on six different occasions.

Prior to enrolling at Creighton and then later transferring to Kansas State, Kaluma was rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 51 overall recruit in the 2021 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He also checked in as the No. 12 power forward in the class and the No. 4 overall player in the state of Arizona, hailing from Glendale (AZ) Dream City Christian.

Prior to entering the portal, Kaluma decided he was going to test the NBA Draft waters and at the very least, get advice from scouts. He announced the decision last Wednesday while also penning a message to Kansas State after spending one season with the program. Kaluma Tang and everyone else for the support over the last year.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank God for the opportunities that he has given me playing this game,” Kaluma wrote on Twitter. “I would also like to thank Coach (Jerome) Tang and the whole Kansas State staff for giving me the chance to play in the best conference in college basketball.

“The connections I have built at K-State will last a lifetime. Thank you to all my teammates and fans for their support. Without further ado, I would like to announce that I am declaring for the 2024 NBA draft.”

May 29 was the deadline for prospects to withdraw or stay in the 2024 NBA Draft.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.