NCAA Basketball: Analyzing 2021 4-Star F Arthur Kaluma’s final 8 schools
By Ian Mumm
Texas A&M Aggies
Buzz Williams’ first year in College Station was a success. Few analysts viewed this team capable of finishing better than .500 on the year or moving off the bottom of the conference floor, but they accomplished both. The on-court success has translated into interest from talented 4 and 5-star recruits on the heels of signing a top-20 class in 2020.
Top-20 junior Manny Obaseki has already committed to the program, giving the Aggies a solid foundation heading into next season. In Buzz’s defense-first system, the addition of another strong player like Kaluma would vastly elevate the ceiling of the Aggies. His versatility on that end of the floor greatly eases constraints on the rotation and shores up any potential holes on the court.
Despite their slow pace and solid play on the defensive end, Texas A&M failed to create many turnovers or protect the glass throughout the year. Kaluma can help improve all of these areas for the Aggies, especially as a strong rebounder with sound fundamentals in his game. The team’s slow pace of play limited shots on the offensive end, but there wasn’t much in the way of efficiency to benefit the outcome.
Kaluma’s ability to penetrate the middle of the defense, as a power forward and break down defenders on the perimeter increases the lethality of A&M’s offense. He is a strong asset as a facilitator and safety net for a team with younger and more inexperienced guards. He will also help to increase the Aggies approach of getting to the foul line and operating in a more meticulous manner.
His athleticism is also a benefactor and mismatch, much in the way current Aggie Savion Flagg uses his body to fight through contact and finish at the rim against smaller guards. Buzz could use a swiss-army knife at his disposal.