U BT Cluj-Napoca

This article is about the men's basketball club. For the sports club, see CS Universitatea Cluj-Napoca.
U BT Cluj-Napoca
Leagues Liga Națională
EuroChallenge
Founded 1947
Arena Sala Polivalentă
 Capacity 7,308
Location Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Team colors Black, White
         
President Valentin Nica
Vice-president(s) Ştefan Petre
Mircea Cristescu
Head coach Dorin Pintea
Championships 4 Romanian Championships
Website Official website
Uniforms
Home
Away

U BT Cluj-Napoca is a Romanian professional basketball club based in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The club competes in the Liga Națională. As other sports teams that were initially part of the parent sports club, U Cluj, for historical reasons, the club still keeps the name U (short form of Universitatea) in its name.

History

Whilst the parent sports club, U Cluj was founded in 1919, the basketball team was founded in 1947 and played for the first time in the Romanian Championship in 1966. Since then, U Cluj was a constant presence in the Romanian First Division, with their best performances being recorded in the 1990s, when they won three Romanian Championships.

During its history, the team had different names. Since 1990, the main sponsor's name is usually added to the name of the parent sports club, U Cluj. This resulted in a change of name every time the main sponsor was changed. Previous names of the team were: U, Ştiinţa, Ştiinţa IMF, U Metalul Rosu, U Fimaro, U SM Invest, U Sanex, and U Carbochim.

In the 2012-2013 season, U Mobitelco Cluj Napoca finished on 7th place (20 wins - 10 losses) and qualify for the Play-Off. Here the team played the first round against CSM Oradea but lost with 3-1. Also the team played the Romanian Cup final, but lost against CS Gaz Metan Medias with the score 62-76. At the end of that season the coach and all the foreign players left the team.

Arena

Sala Polivalentă

U Mobitelco Cluj plays its home games in the main Sports hall from Cluj-Napoca, Sala Polivalentă, that currently accommodates 7,308 spectators.

Honours

Current roster

As of August 16, 2014
Nr. Name Nat. Hg. Position
1. Boris Lalovic  Montenegro 205 cm C
2. Branko Cuic  Serbia 197 cm G
3. Miljan Medvedj  Serbia 182 cm PG
4. Sean Barnette  United States 198 cm F
5. Mario Lazăr  Romania 201 cm PF
6. Rareș Mandache  Romania 191 cm G
7. Michael Southall  United States 210 cm C
8. Darius Hargrove  United States 194 cm G
9. Zoran Cvjetkovic  Croatia 190 cm G
10. Tudor Jucan  Romania 201 cm F
11. Nandor Kuti  Romania 195 cm SG
12. Mihai Silvășan  Romania 201 cm SF
13. Cătălin Baciu  Romania 214 cm C
14. Wilhelm Brosser  Romania 199 cm SG
15. Mirel Dragoste  Romania 185 cm PG

Notable former players

The most famous player that played for U Cluj was Gheorghe Mureșan - Signed in 1993 with the Washington Bullets, becoming the tallest player ever in the NBA. Played 6 successful seasons with the Bullets and the New Jersey Nets, averaging a career 9.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists. Obtained the title of NBA Most Improved Player following the 1995–96 NBA season. Began his career playing two years for Universitatea Cluj-Napoca.

Notable former coaches

  • Romania Voicu Moldovan
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina Dragan Petricevic
  • Romania Liviu Morariu
  • Romania Gheorghe Roman

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ziuadecj.ro/sport/publicul-a-invadat-sala-sporturilor-strigand-campionii-jucatorii-au-facut-baie-in-somes--67659.html

External links