Olympiacos BC announced its first move of the offseason after renewing the contract of coach Giorgos Bartzokas as the Reds agreed with Joel Bolomboy to a one-year deal. Bolomboy, 28, was in talks with the Pireaus team since the previous week.
The Ukraine-born big man played for CSKA Moscow since 2018 but exited the team based in Moscow in February due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He was a steady contributor with the Russian powerhouse before his exit.
He produced 5.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.7 blocks, 0.3 assists, and 0.3 steals per contest in the EuroLeague last season. Bolomboy was the 52nd overall pick in the NBA Draft selected by the Utah Jazz and appeared in 20 NBA games before making the jump to Europe.
He was crowned EuroLeague champion in 2019 and also won the VTB in 2019 and 2021. During the stint, he received the Russian citizenship in 2018 and represented Russia in ensuing international windows.
Born Donetsk and raised in Texas, the forward/center played for Weber State in the collegiate level. During his college career, Bolomboy became the all-time leading rebounder in Weber State and Big Sky Conference history.
✍️🏽Η ΚΑΕ Ολυμπιακός ανακοινώνει την απόκτηση του @joelbolomboy. #OlympiacosBC #WeAreOlympiacos #TogetherWeFighthttps://t.co/SjxoouuU1y
— Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) July 6, 2022