Christian Koloko signs with Crvena Zvezda for first European stop

Free agent center Christian Koloko has signed with Crvena Zvezda, the Serbian club announced Sunday, in what will be the first European stop for the 26-year-old.

Koloko, the 33rd overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Arizona, drew interest from several other EuroLeague clubs before agreeing to the deal, which is contingent on passing a physical. Crvena Zvezda has opened the EuroLeague season 4-2 and features several former NBA players, including Jared Butler, Patrick Baldwin and Semi Ojeleye.

The Cameroonian big man spent training camp and part of the preseason with the New Orleans Pelicans, who waived him from a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 deal on October 9.

Koloko showed promise as a rookie with the Toronto Raptors in 2022/23 before a blood clot issue cost him the entire 2023/24 season. Medically cleared ahead of 2024/25, he appeared in 27 games last season across stops with the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks, averaging 2.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 13.2 minutes per game. He holds career NBA averages of 2.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 122 regular season appearances.