Crvena Zvezda fans wanted a center. They got one.
And not just any center, but a 211cm rim protector with a 227cm wingspan, NBA experience and a skill set that could address some of the team’s most pressing needs.
Given the demanding schedule and the way EuroLeague rosters have evolved in recent years, it was clear from the start that Zvezda were short-handed at the five. Vojin Medarević was never realistically expected to see meaningful EuroLeague minutes, leaving the team with limited options.
Then came the injuries.
Johnathan Motley went down and is expected to miss around a month, although that remains a rough estimate. Ebuka Izundu suffered an ankle injury – a problem he also dealt with last season – but should return soon.
Despite those setbacks, Zvezda have put together four consecutive victories. Semi Ojeleye, the team’s ultimate utility man, has done an outstanding job filling in at center. Patrick Baldwin Jr. has also come to life, while Dejan Davidovac has made a solid contribution.
Still, head coach Ibon Navarro made no secret of the fact that Zvezda were looking for another player.
Now they have one.
Who Is Christian Koloko?
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Born on June 20, 2000, in Douala, Cameroon, Koloko stands 211cm tall.
He started playing basketball at the age of 12 before moving to the United States at 17 to finish high school. After playing college basketball at Arizona, he was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the 33rd pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Across spells with four NBA teams – the Raptors, Hawks, Lakers and Grizzlies – Koloko averaged 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in 122 games.
His NBA journey, however, was interrupted by a serious medical condition that kept him off the court for an entire season.
What Does Koloko Bring – and Where Are His Limitations?
With a 227cm wingspan, Koloko’s biggest strength is obvious: rim protection.
In his final season at Arizona, he averaged 2.8 blocks per game, and his defensive impact goes beyond the shots he actually rejects. He can force opponents to alter their attempts, deter drives to the basket and make life considerably more difficult around the rim.
For a player of his size, Koloko moves his feet well. He has the mobility to stay with guards on switches and the length to recover and challenge shots at the basket.
He also has the physical tools to operate in different pick-and-roll coverages. His length is an asset when containing the ball-handler, while his mobility allows him to step out and recover. How consistently he can execute those responsibilities against EuroLeague offenses remains to be seen.
That versatility could give Navarro greater flexibility in his defensive schemes.
Another major asset is his rebounding, particularly on the offensive glass.
Just as importantly, Koloko doesn’t need touches or a high volume of shots to make a positive impact. In a Zvezda team with plenty of players who want the ball in their hands, that is no small advantage.
Offensively, Koloko knows his limits – and that is a strength in itself.
He rolls hard, finishes above the rim and doesn’t waste possessions trying to create shots that aren’t part of his game. He provides a genuine lob threat and generally sticks to what he does best around the basket. Shooting is not part of his arsenal, and neither is a developed low-post game.
There is also a question about his physical strength. Some of the more powerful EuroLeague centers could cause him problems in the paint, particularly when establishing deep post position. Still, Koloko makes up for a great deal with his wingspan, mobility and athleticism.
In many ways, Koloko resembles Izundu – a mobile, athletic center who can protect the rim and finish plays without demanding touches. Koloko, however, offers even more athletic upside.
This will be Koloko’s first experience in European basketball, and if he adjusts well, he has the tools to become a major defensive addition. There is also a familiar face waiting for him in Belgrade: Nikola Đurišić, with whom he shared a locker room in Atlanta.
The Blood Clot Diagnosis and the Road Back
Zvezda have already experienced how serious a pulmonary embolism can be, with Tyson Carter sidelined for a significant part of last season.
That makes Koloko’s medical history an understandable subject of concern.
His condition involved venous thrombosis – the formation of blood clots inside veins. Such clots can become life-threatening if they travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism.
Koloko’s problems came to light in 2023, while he was with the Toronto Raptors. His condition forced him to miss the entire 2023–24 season, and the NBA temporarily ruled him ineligible to play until he received medical clearance.
Further examinations revealed that a vein running between his collarbone and first rib had become compressed and narrowed. Repeated overhead arm movements had contributed to damage to the vein and the formation of blood clots.
To address the underlying problem, surgeons removed his first rib and part of the surrounding muscle, cleared scar tissue and widened the affected vein to restore normal blood flow.
Following surgery, Koloko no longer needed anticoagulants – medication that prevents blood clots but also increases the risk of bleeding, an important consideration in a contact sport.
In October 2024, the NBA cleared him to return to basketball. The important distinction is that Koloko’s condition had an identifiable anatomical cause, which was surgically addressed.
The Verdict: A Smart Fit, but Patience May Be Required
On paper, this looks like an excellent move by Crvena Zvezda.
As with any newcomer to European basketball, the question is how quickly Koloko will adjust – both on and off the court. His role should make the transition relatively straightforward, while his move from Cameroon to the United States as a teenager means he already has experience adapting to a different culture.
All things considered, Koloko looks like a very good addition and a natural fit for this Zvezda team.
