Christian Koloko Signs With Crvena Zvezda

This will be the first European stop for Koloko, who was selected 33rd overall in the 2022 draft after three college seasons with Arizona. The Cameroonian big man drew interest from several other EuroLeague clubs before he agreed to sign with Crvena Zvezda, per the team’s announcement.

Koloko’s contract with Crvena Zvezda, which has gotten off to a 4-2 start to the EuroLeague season, is contingent on passing a physical. The team’s roster features multiple former NBA players, including Jared Butler, Patrick Baldwin and Semi Ojeleye, among others.

Koloko most recently spent training camp and part of the preseason with the Pelicans, who waived him from his non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 deal on October 9.

A 6’11” big man, Koloko showed some promise as a rookie with Toronto in 2022/23, but was forced to miss the entire ’23/24 season due to a blood clot issue. He was medically cleared to return to the NBA ahead of ’24/25 and spent all of that season on a two-way contract with the Lakers.

Koloko opened last season on another two-way deal with Los Angeles, but was cut near the end of November. The 26-year-old spent about a week with the G League’s Austin Spurs in mid-December and then signed a 10-day hardship contract with the Grizzlies. Memphis brought him back for a second 10-day deal on Jan. 2, but opted not to sign him for the remainder of the season when that contract expired.

The Hawks signed Koloko to a two-way deal in mid-January. He played 14 games for Atlanta, averaging 3.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 11.1 minutes per contest. Overall, he saw action in 27 games last season, averaging 2.7 PPG and 3.0 RPG and 0.9 BPG in 13.2 MPG.

Koloko holds career NBA averages of 2.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG and 0.8 BPG in 122 regular season appearances (12.3 MPG).

Despite only technically playing in three separate NBA seasons, Koloko has accumulated four years of service. That means he’s no longer eligible for a two-way contract.