Christian Koloko Signs With Crvena Zvezda
The Cameroonian center, a former Toronto, Lakers and Memphis player, is heading to Europe for the first time as Zvezda copes with injuries to Jonathan Motley and Ebuka Izundu.
On Friday, the Spanish site LaCentralACB reported that Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) was close to a deal with Christian Koloko, and on Sunday morning the club confirmed it. BC Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet announced on its website and on X on October 18, 2026, that the Cameroonian center is its newest addition, after he completed his medical exams.
What did the club say about Koloko?
The statement on the club’s website closes with a message to the new player: “Christian, welcome to Crvena Zvezda!” On X, the club wrote: “Christian Koloko is the newest addition to the BC Crvena zvezda Meridianbet roster!”
The length of the contract has not been disclosed. The club says several EuroLeague teams were interested in Koloko, and that he chose Belgrade as the first European stop of his career.
Who is Christian Koloko?
He was born in Douala, Cameroon. He learned the game in America: he played for two high schools in California, then three years at the University of Arizona. In his final college season he averaged 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks, and the PAC-12 named him its best defender.
The Toronto Raptors picked him in 2022 as the 33rd pick in the draft. In his first season he played 58 games, averaging 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and one block. Then came a setback: blood clot problems kept him out for the entire 2023/24 season, and Toronto released him afterward. He was cleared to return in October 2024 and played for the Lakers.
He also played for Memphis and Atlanta, and the club adds San Antonio to the list. In his last NBA season he appeared in 27 games, averaging 2.7 points, three rebounds and 0.9 blocks. He spent the summer under contract with New Orleans, after which he became a free agent. In total he has 122 NBA games, averaging 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds.
His height differs from source to source. The club lists 211 centimeters, as do most media outlets, while Novosti wrote about 216 centimeters on Friday. His wingspan is close to 230 centimeters.
Why did Crvena Zvezda need a center?
Ibon Navarro’s team has struggled with injuries to its big men since the start of the season. Jonathan Motley has not played since the game against Efes, and he is expected back by the end of the month. Ebuka Izundu was hurt in an ABA League game and should be in the return protocol for the trip to Krka. Semi Ojeleye and Patrick Baldwin were also hampered by injuries during the preseason.
The club had earlier brought in Patrick Baldwin Jr., who arrived from Sacramento.
Zvezda found its rhythm even without a complete frontcourt: it has four wins and two losses in the EuroLeague, and it lost to FMP in the ABA League. The next test comes right away. Today at 4 p.m., the red and whites visit Krka in Novo Mesto.
Going by his NBA numbers, Koloko is not expected to carry the offense but to protect the paint, which is exactly where Zvezda has struggled most since the start of the season. The first real measure will be his minutes in the EuroLeague.
