By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Khalifa Koumadje is back on the free-agent market following a preseason stint with Olympiacos.
The Reds announced his departure on Thursday, at the end of this short-term contract.
Head coach Giorgos Bartzokas recently previewed a decision regarding the 29-year-old center. With Moustapha Fall on the injury list, Nikola Milutinov, Donta Hall, and Kostas Antetokounmpo remain available for the five position, heading to the 2025-26 edition of the EuroLeague and domestic competitions in Greece.
With Keenan Evans also sidelined, Frank Ntilikina is expected to soon add to the current guard lineup of Evan Fournier, Thomas Walkup, Saben Lee, Tyler Dorsey, and Giannoulis Larentzakis. The rest of the squad consists of Sasha Vezenkov, Tyson Ward, Alec Peters, Shaquielle McKissic, Kostas Papanikolaou, and Omiros Netzipoglou, covering the forward slots.
The Chadian big arrived in late August, penning a preseason deal. He carried the experience of 89 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague appearances with ALBA Berlin over the last five seasons to the training camp. His professional career has stretched to spells in Spain, Russia, China, and the G League, since completing his NCAA career with Florida State in 2019.
Moving on from the towering center, the Greek powerhouse traveled to Rhodes for the Stoiximan Super Cup 2025. In the Semifinals on Friday, the team guided by Bartzokas will meet Karditsa Iaponiki, looking to clinch a berth in Saturday’s Final against AEK or Promitheas Vikos Cola.
From there to Spain, to open the new EuroLeague journey against Baskonia in Fernando Buesa Arena on Tuesday and Real Madrid in Movistar Arena next Thursday. The Stoiximan GBL schedule begins on October 5 with an away game opposite Maroussi.