Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade have signed center Christian Koloko, adding a former NBA player to their frontcourt for the 2026-27 season.
The Serbian club announced the signing on Sunday, October 18, confirming that Koloko would join the team after completing medical examinations. The 211-centimeter center is set to begin his European career in Belgrade after previously playing for the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks.
According to Crvena Zvezda, several EuroLeague clubs had expressed interest in Koloko before he chose the Serbian side.
Born in Douala, Cameroon, Koloko developed his game in the United States, attending two high schools in California before spending three seasons with the Arizona Wildcats in NCAA basketball.
His best college season came in 2021-22, when he averaged 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 37 games. He shot 63.5% from the field and earned recognition for his interior defense before entering the 2022 NBA Draft.
Toronto selected Koloko 33rd overall in 2022. He appeared in 58 games during his rookie season, averaging 3.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game.
After missing the 2023-24 NBA season, Koloko returned to the league with the Lakers in 2024-25, averaging 2.4 points and 2.5 rebounds in 37 appearances. He subsequently played for the Lakers, Grizzlies and Hawks during the 2025-26 campaign.
Across 14 appearances with Atlanta last season, Koloko averaged 3.1 points and 2.6 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per game. He also recorded 2.6 points and four rebounds in 11 games for Memphis.
Koloko joins a Crvena Zvezda team that has started the EuroLeague regular season with a 4-2 record through six games, placing fifth in the standings. The club has several frontcourt options, including Chima Moneke, Semi Ojeleye, Ebuka Izundu and Johnathan Motley.
Moneke is averaging 13.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, while Ojeleye contributes 10 points and 5.3 rebounds. Koloko adds another center option with NBA experience and a defensive profile built around protecting the rim.
