Baskonia have presented a contract offer to Christian Koloko, a 26-year-old Cameroonian centre, as the Vitoria-Gasteiz club looks to reinforce its interior game in the Euroleague. The 2.12m defensive pivot has NBA experience with the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks, and is viewed by the Basque side as the answer to their early-season struggles in European competition.
Koloko was born in Babouantou and developed at the University of Arizona before being selected 33rd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. He has played 122 games in the NBA. Most recently he joined the New Orleans Pelicans training camp but was waived before the 2024-25 regular season began, leaving him available in the market.
Coach Paolo Galbiati has made the signing a strategic priority. Baskonia are 3-0 in the Liga Endesa yet sit joint last in the Euroleague standings at 1-3, sharing the bottom spot with six other teams. The gap between their domestic and continental form has pushed the club to seek defensive reinforcement in the paint.
Koloko's Cameroonian nationality is a key part of the appeal. If signed, he would qualify for national player status under the Cotonou Agreement, which allows certain African players to be registered as locals in the Liga Endesa, giving Baskonia greater flexibility in squad planning.
Internationally, Koloko has represented Cameroon in three games during the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers, adding further weight to his profile as the move gathers pace.
