"I love blocking shots and dunking!" Following monster performance, Koloko answers critics who mocked him: I know my teammates' names!
)
- How Zvezda dismantled Bayern
He noted that, like many before him, the fans made the biggest impression on him.
"It's an incredible feeling. Having the entire arena cheering for you, standing on their feet the whole game is amazing. I think it just gives you that extra energy, and honestly, that's why you play basketball—for an atmosphere like this." - Christian Koloko
Reports had circulated online claiming he didn't even know his teammates' names, but things have clearly changed...
"I saw that quote online saying I had to learn my teammates' names before I could play. I think I know everyone's name now, at least I believe so. But at the end of the day, it's just basketball. You have to grasp the coach's fundamentals and schemes, and once you're on the floor, you just play. Playing hard fixes everything. If you play hard, it sorts itself out, and that's what I try to bring every time I step onto the court." - Christian Koloko
Koloko also tallied five blocks against the Bavarian side.
"I don't know, I think it's a mix of everything. Instinct, a bit of luck sometimes—just everything coming together. You have to read the defense and be in the right place at the right time. When you are, the blocks will come." - Christian Koloko
Sheer First-Half Dominance
Such dominance in the paint hasn't been seen in a long time. The 7-foot Cameroonian center turned everything he touched into gold.
He opened the contest with an unusual bucket, but from then on, he completely took over. He first electrified Belgrade Arena with an alley-oop slam, followed by an open three-pointer that capped off five straight points and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
Before the break, he also converted an and-one play, with his top highlight coming on an emphatic slam directly off an inbound pass from Weiler-Babb.
He was just as imposing defensively, recording five blocks and demonstrating just how difficult his incredible wingspan will make life for opposing offenses moving forward.
Few could have predicted Zvezda landing such a dominant interior presence at this crucial juncture of the season. Koloko's arrival undoubtedly provides a completely new dimension and a major boost for the remainder of the campaign.
VIDEO Koloko's unbelievable display against Bayern: Knocks down a three, then rejects Lucic!
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
&format=webp)