By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Javonte Smart penned a deal with U-BT Cluj-Napoca on Wednesday, completing the Romanian powerhouse’s roster for the 2026–27 BKT EuroCup campaign.
The former Louisiana State standout returns to Europe following two strong seasons in the G League. A veteran of 18 NBA games split between the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers, Smart also logged 12 EuroLeague games with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet in 2024. He is now set to make his debut in Euroleague Basketball’s second tier under head coach Mihai Silvasan. The American guard joins Dusan Beslac, Javon Bess, Christian Bishop, Malcolm Hill, Luca Illes, Kristian Kullamae, Otis Livingston II, Jalyn McCreary, Bobe Nicolescu, and Uros Plavsic, heading to Group B of the EuroCup Regular Season.
Fellow Group B side, Turk Telekom, finalized their own depth by securing 18-year-old Anil Alyanak, who previously suited up in three Basketball Champions League games with Mersin. The Ankara-based club has assembled a versatile rotation, adding the rising talent alongside established names Ismael Bako, Kris Bankston, Goktug Bas, Jerrick Harding, Emircan Kosut, Anthony Lamb, Shaquielle McKissic, Dogus Ozdemiroglu, Tim Schneider, Tony Taylor, Mete Tekcevik, and Uros Trifunovic.
EuroCup player movement extended to Group C, where Neptunas fortified their roster by promoting 19-year-old home-grown prospect Simas Sarakauskas to the senior team. Head coach Gediminas Petrauskas will integrate the teenager into a roster consisting of Arnas Berucka, Henri Drell, Martynas Echodas, Yannick Franke, Elvar Fridriksson, Mindaugas Girdziunas, Lukas Kreismontas, Kristupas Lesciauskas, Ray Somerville, Donatas Tarolis, Einaras Tubutis, and Kristupas Zemaitis.
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