Presenting 2026/27 teams: U-BT Cluj-Napoca - A fresh start for another exciting ride

U-BT Cluj-Napoca are ready for their second season in the AdmiralBet ABA League after making a strong impression in their debut campaign among the regional elite.

The Romanian powerhouse enjoyed a very good first season in the competition, reaching the quarter-finals while producing some memorable performances along the way. Their home games were particularly impressive, with spectacular atmospheres inside the packed BT Arena making Cluj-Napoca one of the most exciting destinations in the league.

Now, U-BT Cluj-Napoca are preparing for another exciting ride, but this time with an almost completely new team.

Practically all of the key members of last season's roster departed the club over the summer, with Patrick Richard being the notable exception. The experienced guard will remain in Cluj-Napoca and provide some much-needed continuity in a squad that has otherwise undergone a major transformation.

One important figure, however, remains in charge. Club legend Mihai Silvășan will continue as head coach and will be tasked with putting all the new pieces together ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

With so many departures, the club management had a busy summer and has so far brought in no fewer than 12 new players. Dušan Beslać, Otis Livingston II, Bogdan Nicolescu, Javon Anthony Bess, Malcolm Hill, Jalyn Zacchae'Us McCreary, Uroš Plavšić, Kristian Kullamäe, Christian Bishop, Thomas Bernat, Luca-Ionuț Illeș and Javonte Smart have all joined the team as U-BT Cluj-Napoca built a brand-new roster for the challenges ahead.

Several of those newcomers already know what it takes to compete in the regional basketball system. Uroš Plavšić and Javonte Smart previously played for Crvena zvezda Meridianbet, while Javon Anthony Bess represented Igokea m:tel. Dušan Beslać played in ABA League 2 for Vojvodina and Dynamic, while Otis Livingston II also competed in the second-tier regional competition with Mladost Zemun. Meanwhile, Jalyn Zacchae'Us McCreary arrives in Cluj-Napoca after helping Široki TT Kabeli win the ABA League 2 title last season.

The remaining newcomers will get their first taste of AdmiralBet ABA League basketball in the upcoming campaign.

U-BT Cluj-Napoca have also added several talented youngsters to the roster, completing a team that combines experience, quality and plenty of fresh faces. With the rebuilding process complete, the Romanian side are ready to open a new chapter and see where this fresh start can take them.

Remembering just how exciting it was to watch U-BT Cluj-Napoca in their debut season - especially in front of their passionate fans at BT Arena - there is every reason to believe that Silvășan's new-look team will once again be one to watch in the AdmiralBet ABA League.

Check out U-BT Cluj-Napoca’s 2026/27 ROSTER.