LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has added experienced frontcourt help by signing former EuroLeague champion Joel Bolomboy to a two-year contract. The 2.04-meter center-forward joins ASVEL after three seasons with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade.
Bolomboy, 32, produced his strongest EuroLeague season in 2023-24, averaging 10.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks in 33 appearances for Zvezda. Injuries subsequently limited his availability, including a Lisfranc injury suffered in March 2025 that kept him out for 10 months.
He returned last season and appeared in 15 EuroLeague games, averaging 5.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 14 minutes per game. His addition gives ASVEL an experienced interior defender and rebounder after the club finished last in the 20-team EuroLeague standings at 8-30.
Bolomboy has extensive EuroLeague experience, having played four seasons with CSKA Moscow, one with Olympiacos Piraeus and three with Crvena Zvezda. He won the EuroLeague with CSKA in 2019 and has reached the Final Four in three of his eight seasons in the competition.
Entering the new campaign, Bolomboy ranks 26th in EuroLeague history with 353 offensive rebounds, 53rd with 105 blocks and 60th with 870 total rebounds. His rebounding and rim protection address two areas ASVEL will need to strengthen after allowing 3,270 points last season, the fifth-highest total in the competition.
Bolomboy also brings championship experience from outside the EuroLeague. He has won domestic titles and cups in Greece and Serbia, along with championships in the VTB United League and Adriatic League.
His professional career began in the NBA after he played at Weber State, where he was a two-time Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year and the conference’s 2016 Player of the Year. Bolomboy played for the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks, as well as their G League affiliates, before moving to CSKA.
The signing comes during a major transition for ASVEL. Tony Parker is taking over as head coach after Pierric Poupet’s departure, while the club is rebuilding after a reported reduction in its projected budget from approximately €59 million to €24 million.
ASVEL has also dealt with significant roster changes, with Sylvain Francisco, Braian Angola, Glynn Watson, Melvin Ajinca, Bastien Vautier and Zac Seljaas among the departures. Patty Mills, Both Gach and Yves Pons are among the additions, while Armoni Brooks and Nick Weiler-Babb are set to spend the season on loan.
The club is also involved in ownership discussions, with Parker reportedly negotiating a potential sale to the Buss family, former owners of the Los Angeles Lakers. Against that backdrop, Bolomboy gives Parker an established EuroLeague frontcourt player as ASVEL attempts to improve on its 8-30 campaign.
