Joel Bolomboy

Bolomboy was born in Donetsk, Ukraine to a Congolese father and a Russian mother. The family moved to Fort Worth, Texas when Bolomboy was less than three years old. While in college, he told the Standard-Examiner that he did not "remember anything" about Ukraine and felt like he had "never been there."

He went to high school at Keller Central High School in Fort Worth, and chose Weber State for college despite interest from larger schools such as Clemson, Auburn and Florida State.{{cite web | last = Kragthorpe | first = Kurt | title = Weber State's Joel Bolomboy positioned to break Big Sky rebounding record | work = The Salt Lake Tribune | date = January 30, 2016 | url = http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3439726-155/kragthorpe-weber-states-joel-bolomboy-positioned | access-date = March 8, 2016}} During his college career, Bolomboy became the all-time leading rebounder in Weber State and Big Sky Conference history.{{cite web | last = Hollis | first = Randy | title = For Weber State's Bolomboy, who looks like an NBA prospect, rebounding is the name of the game | work = Deseret News | date = January 27, 2016 | url = http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865646268/For-Weber-States-Bolomboy-who-looks-like-an-NBA-prospect-rebounding-is-the-name-of-the-game.html?pg=all | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160217043040/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865646268/For-Weber-States-Bolomboy-who-looks-like-an-NBA-prospect-rebounding-is-the-name-of-the-game.html?pg=all | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 17, 2016 | access-date = March 8, 2016}}

While always a strong rebounder, Bolomboy increased his scoring average in the 2015–16 season, averaging 17.9 points per game to go along with 12.8 rebounds per game. Following the season, Bolomboy was named first-team All-Big Sky Conference, as well as the league's Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.{{cite web | last = Ashcraft | first = Jason | title = Bolomboy Named Big Sky Men's Basketball MVP, Defensive Player Of The Year | work = Big Sky Conference | date = March 7, 2016 | url = http://www.bigskyconf.com/news/2016/3/7/MBB_0307163753.aspx | access-date = March 8, 2016}}

On June 23, 2016, Bolomboy was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 52nd pick in the 2016 NBA draft.{{cite web|last=Hollis|first=Randy|url=https://www.deseret.com/2016/6/24/20590815/nba-draft-weber-state-s-joel-bolomboy-selected-by-utah-jazz-in-2nd-round/|title=NBA draft: Weber State's Joel Bolomboy selected by Utah Jazz in 2nd round|work=DeseretNews.com|date=June 23, 2016|access-date=August 19, 2016}} On August 19, 2016, he signed with the Jazz.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/jazz/news/jazz-sign-2016-draft-pick-joel-bolomboy|title=Jazz Sign 2016 Draft Pick Joel Bolomboy|work=NBA.com|date=August 19, 2016|access-date=August 19, 2016}} He made his NBA debut on October 30, 2016, recording three points, one rebound, one assist, one steal and one block in four minutes off the bench in an 88–75 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bolomjo01/gamelog/2017/|title=Joel Bolomboy 2016-17 Game Log|work=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=November 1, 2016}} During his rookie season, Bolomboy had multiple assignments with the Salt Lake City Stars, Utah's D-League affiliate.{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/assignments/|title=2016-17 NBA Assignments|work=NBA.com|access-date=December 9, 2016|archive-date=January 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126075350/http://dleague.nba.com/assignments/|url-status=dead}} In 26 games with the Stars, he averaged 16.5 points and 13.3 rebounds per contest.

On October 16, 2017, Bolomboy was waived by the Jazz.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/jazz/jazz-waive-joel-bolomboy|title=Jazz Waive Joel Bolomboy|work=NBA.com|date=October 16, 2017|access-date=October 16, 2017}}

On October 20, 2017, Bolomboy signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks via their NBA G League affiliate the Wisconsin Herd.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/bucks/news/bucks-sign-joel-bolomboy-two-way-contract|title=BUCKS SIGN JOEL BOLOMBOY TO A TWO-WAY CONTRACT|work=NBA.com|date=October 20, 2017|access-date=October 21, 2017}} Throughout the length of his deal, he would split his playing time between the Bucks and their G League affiliate. However, Bolomboy would be waived from the team on January 7, 2018, after signing Xavier Munford to a two-way contract of his own accord.

On January 10, 2018, Bolomboy re-signed with the Wisconsin Herd.{{Cite news|url=http://wisconsin.gleague.nba.com/news/herd-signs-joel-bolomboy/|title=Herd Acquires Joel Bolomboy|work=NBA.com|date=January 10, 2018|access-date=January 10, 2018|archive-date=January 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122718/http://wisconsin.gleague.nba.com/news/herd-signs-joel-bolomboy/|url-status=dead}}

Bolomboy was signed by CSKA Moscow of the VTB United League on August 8, 2018, on a three-year deal.{{cite web |title=CSKA Moscow signs Joel Bolomboy to a three-year deal |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/europe/russia/285064/cska-moscow-signs-joel-bolomboy-to-a-three-year-deal.html |website=Sportando |access-date=August 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808171754/https://sportando.basketball/en/europe/russia/285064/cska-moscow-signs-joel-bolomboy-to-a-three-year-deal.html |archive-date=August 8, 2018 |url-status=dead }} On March 2, 2020, he signed a two-year extension with the club.{{cite news |title=CSKA Moscow signs Joel Bolomboy to two-year contract extension |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/cska-moscow-signs-joel-bolomboy-to-two-year-contract-extension/ |website=Sportando |access-date=March 2, 2020 |date=March 2, 2020|last1=Carchia |first1=Emiliano }}

On 28 February 2022, Bolomboy left CSKA Moscow for personal reasons related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite web |title=Joel Bolomboy joins the list of players leaving CSKA |url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1314475/joel-bolomboy-leaves-cska-moscow/ |website=Eurohoops.net |access-date=28 February 2022 |language=en |date=28 February 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/en/basketball/2022/02/26/621a42cd22601db64a8b45b6.html|title=Tornike Shengelia leaves CSKA Moscow: I can't play for the Russian army club|date=February 26, 2022|website=MARCA}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-crisis/5-cska-moscow-players-leave-team-for-war-between-russia-ukraine/2518369|title=5 CSKA Moscow players leave team for war between Russia, Ukraine|website=www.aa.com.tr}}{{Cite web|url=https://hoopswire.com/fiba-suspends-all-russian-teams-officials-from-competition/|title=FIBA Suspends All Russian Teams, Officials From Competition|first=Sam|last=Amico|date=March 1, 2022}}

On 6 July 2022, Bolomboy signed a one-year deal with Olympiacos of the Greek Basket League and the Euroleague.{{cite web|title=Olympiacos bolsters frontcourt with Bolomboy|url=https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-bolsters-frontcourt-with-bolomboy/|publisher=EuroLeague|date=6 July 2022|accessdate=16 July 2023}} In 35 EuroLeague matches, he averaged 3.8 points and 3 rebounds, playing around 11 minutes per contest. Additionally, in 32 domestic games, he averaged 5.6 points and 4.9 rebounds, playing around 15 minutes per contest. On July 5, 2023, he was released from the Greek club.

On 14 July 2023, Bolomboy signed a one-year contract with Crvena zvezda of the Serbian KLS, the Adriatic League and the EuroLeague.{{cite web|title=Crvena Zvezda puts former champ Joel Bolomboy in the paint|url=https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/crvena-zvezda-puts-former-champ-joel-bolomboy-in-the-paint/|publisher=EuroLeague|date=14 July 2023|accessdate=16 July 2023}}

Bolomboy was invited to try out for the Ukraine national basketball team in advance of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.{{cite news |last1=Garside |first1=Brandon |title=Ukraine calling: WSU's Bolomboy gets chance to shine |url=https://www.standard.net/sports/2014/jul/16/ukraine-calling-wsus-bolomboy-gets-chance-to-shine/ |access-date=24 March 2022 |work=Standard-Examiner |date=July 16, 2014}} He was injured while practicing for the tournament and was unable to appear in any games.{{cite news |last1=Garside |first1=Brandon |title=Bolomboy injured in Ukraine, will recover for WSU season |url=https://www.standard.net/sports/2014/aug/19/bolomboy-injured-in-ukraine-will-recover-for-wsu-season/ |access-date=24 March 2022 |work=Standard-Examiner |date=August 19, 2014}} He was named to the Ukrainian team's preliminary roster in advance of EuroBasket 2017{{cite news |title=Ukraine show off their talent ahead of FIBA EuroBasket 2017 |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/eurobasket/2017/news/ukraine-show-off-their-talent-ahead-of-fiba-eurobasket-2017 |access-date=24 March 2022 |publisher=FIBA |date=2017 |language=en}} but did not appear on the final roster.

In November 2018, Bolomboy became a Russian citizen.{{cite news |title=Joel Bolomboy becomes Russian citizen |url=https://cskabasket.com/en/news/n/dzhoel-bolomboy-grazhdanin-rossii-17386/ |access-date=24 March 2022 |publisher=PBC CSKA Moscow |date=November 13, 2018 |language=en}} Bolomboy played for the Russia national basketball team during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers{{cite web |title=Joel Bolomby 2019 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers Stats |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019/european-qualifiers/player/Joel-Bolomboy |publisher=FIBA |access-date=24 March 2022 |language=en}} and the EuroBasket 2022 qualifiers.{{cite web |title=Joel Bolomboy FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/eurobasket/2022/qualifiers/player/Joel-Bolomboy |publisher=FIBA |access-date=24 March 2022 |language=en}} He missed the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup due to injury.{{cite news |title=Russia's Joel Bolomboy will miss FIBA Basketball World Cup with injury |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/russias-joel-bolomboy-will-miss-fiba-basketball-world-cup-with-injury/ |access-date=24 March 2022 |work=Sportando |date=August 21, 2019 |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324004246/https://sportando.basketball/en/russias-joel-bolomboy-will-miss-fiba-basketball-world-cup-with-injury/ |url-status=dead }}

{{Euroleague player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2016}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Utah

| 12 || 0 || 4.4 || .563 || .250 || '.500 || 1.4 || .2 || .1 || .2 || 1.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2017}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Milwaukee

| 6 || 0 || 6.3 || .500 || .000 || .500 || 1.7 || {{sort|-|—}} || .3 || {{sort|-|—}} || 1.5

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 18 || 0 || 5.1 || .545 || .200 || .500 || 1.5 || .1 || .2 || .1 || 1.7

{{S-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2017

| style="text-align:left;"| Utah

| 2 || 0 || 4.5 || .667 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 1.0 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || .5 || 2.0

|- class="sortbottom"

| align="center" colspan="2"| Career

| 2 || 0 || 4.5 || .667 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 1.0 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || .5 || 2.0

{{S-end}}

{{Euroleague player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;background:#AFE6BA;"| 2018–19†

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="4"| CSKA Moscow

| 28 || 5 || 9.3 || .538 || .462 || .600 || 1.9 || .4 || .1 || .3 || 2.6 || 2.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20

| 27 || 1 || 16.9 || .478 || .325 || .743 || 4.0 || .5 || .3 || .4 || 5.4 || 7.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21

| 25 || 9 || 16.9 || .559 || .250 || .771 || 3.8 || .3 || .6 || .5 || 5.4 || 7.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22

| 23 || 4 || 15.7 || .528 || .261 || .750 || 4.1 || .3 || .3 || .7 || 5.9 || 7.7

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23

| style="text-align:left;"| Olympiacos

| 35 || 1 || 11.3 || .600 || .500 || .674 || 3.0 || .5 || .2 || .3 || 3.8 || 5.4

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24

| style="text-align:left;"| Crvena zvezda

| 33 || 31 || 25.5 || .616 || .333 || .812 || 6.0 || .8 || .8 || .7 || 10.2 || 14.6

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 171 || 51 || 16.0 || .562 || .325 || .748 || 3.8 || .5 || .4 || .5 || 5.6 || 7.7

{{S-end}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"

! Year

! Team

! League

! {{Tooltip|GP|Games played}}

! {{Tooltip|MPG|Minutes per game}}

! {{Tooltip|FG%|Field goal percentage}}

! {{Tooltip|3P%|3-point field-goal percentage}}

! {{Tooltip|FT%|Free-throw percentage}}

! {{Tooltip|RPG|Rebounds per game}}

! {{Tooltip|APG|Assists per game}}

! {{Tooltip|SPG|Steals per game}}

! {{Tooltip|BPG|Blocks per game}}

! {{Tooltip|PPG|Points per game}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA|size=20px}} Salt Lake City Stars || style="text-align:center;"|D-League || 24 || 34.5 || .540 || .457 || .705 || 13.2 || 1.8 || .6 || 1.2 || 16.4

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA|size=20px}} Wisconsin Herd || style="text-align:center;"|G League || 30 || 33.2 || .558 || .313 || .800 || 9.6 || 1.1 || .8 || .7 || 16.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Russia|size=20px}} CSKA Moscow || style="text-align:center;"|VTBUL || 26 || 16.2 || .640 || .333 || .771 || 4.3 || .5 || .3 || .5 || 7.1

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Russia|size=20px}} CSKA Moscow || style="text-align:center;"|VTBUL || 17 || 19.9 || .607 || .455 || .682 || 4.0 || .3 || .5 || .5 || 8.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Russia|size=20px}} CSKA Moscow || style="text-align:center;"|VTBUL || 20 || 19.3 || .545 || .318 || .789 || 3.9 || .3 || .4 || .9 || 8.7

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Russia|size=20px}} CSKA Moscow || style="text-align:center;"|VTBUL || 15 || 18.9 || .603 || .476 || .842 || 3.6 || .3 || .5 || .4 || 7.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Greece|size=20px}} Olympiacos || style="text-align:center;"|HEBA A1 || 30 || 14.2 || .610 || .333 || .720 || 4.7 || 1.1 || .3 || .7 || 5.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Serbia|size=20px}} Crvena zvezda || style="text-align:center;"|KLS || 1 || 7.0 || 1.000 || 1.000 || {{sort|-|—}} || 3.0 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 2.0 || 5.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Serbia|size=20px}} Crvena zvezda || style="text-align:center;"|ABA || 28 || 18.3 || .633 || .222 || .696 || 4.1 || 1.0 || .5 || .8 || 6.9

{{S-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2012–13

| style="text-align:left;"| Weber State

| 37 || 0 || 21.7 || .578 || {{sort|-|—}} || .695 || 7.1 || .4 || .4 || 1.7 || 7.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2013–14

| style="text-align:left;"| Weber State

| 30 || 28 || 30.1 || .488 || 1.000 || .729 || 11.0 || .6 || .5 || .8 || 8.7

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2014–15

| style="text-align:left;"| Weber State

| 30 || 29 || 33.2 || .473 || .366 || .735 || 10.2 || .8 || .7 || 1.7 || 13.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2015–16

| style="text-align:left;"| Weber State

| 33 || 33 || 31.5 || .573 || .364 || .697 || 12.6 || 1.1 || .7 || 1.2 || 17.1

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 130 || 90 || 28.8 || .528 || .371 || .713 || 10.1 || .7 || .6 || 1.4 || 11.4

{{S-end}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.weberstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205709907 Weber State Wildcats bio]
• [https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/joel-bolomboy-my-life-as-an-nba-draft-prospect/ Joel Bolomboy: My Life As An NBA Draft Prospect]

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Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Greece

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