Arthur Kaluma’s journey toward establishing himself in the NBA has taken another major step after the Los Angeles Lakers officially signed the Ugandan international to a two-way contract ahead of the 2026–27 season.
The announcement reflects the Lakers’ confidence in the versatile forward, who impressed throughout the NBA Summer League after spending last season developing with the franchise’s G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. The move comes as the Lakers waived two-way guard Peter Suder to create space on the roster.
Kaluma earned the promotion following a productive 2025–26 campaign in the G League, where he featured in 40 regular-season and Tip-Off Tournament games. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 13.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting an efficient 37.8 percent from three-point range. His ability to score consistently saw him reach double figures in 29 games, including seven outings with at least 20 points.
His contributions were instrumental in South Bay finishing atop the Western Conference with a 26–10 record before reaching the NBA G League Western Conference Finals.
The 24-year-old further strengthened his case during the California Classic and NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he emerged as one of the Lakers’ most reliable performers. Across seven games, Kaluma averaged 17.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 51.6 percent from the field and an outstanding 44.8 percent from beyond the arc.
In Las Vegas alone, he led the Lakers in scoring with 18.6 points per game, helping the team finish unbeaten in pool play with a 4–0 record and secure a place in the tournament semifinals. Kaluma’s basketball journey has been built on a strong collegiate foundation. He played 134 games across four NCAA seasons, making 131 starts while representing Creighton, Kansas State and Texas. His experience across three major college programs helped shape him into a forward capable of impacting both ends of the floor.
Beyond his NBA ambitions, Kaluma remains an important figure for Ugandan basketball. Holding dual citizenship in the United States and Uganda, he has proudly represented the Uganda national team in international competitions, becoming one of the country’s most recognizable basketball exports.
His latest achievement is another significant milestone for Ugandan basketball, highlighting the growing presence of the nation’s talent on the global stage.
Kaluma will wear jersey No. 47 for the Lakers as he begins his next chapter, aiming to convert his two-way deal into a permanent place on the NBA roster while continuing to inspire the next generation of Ugandan basketball players.
