By Alex Molina /amolina@eurohoops.net
The new FC Barcelona basketball project has officially begun. This morning, just hours before the first official title of the season with the Copa Catalunya, Barça presented the eleven new signings who complete a completely revamped roster for this season: Umoja Gibson, Agustín Ubal, Josh Nebo, Stanley Umude, Olek Balcerowski, Tyrese Martin, Tosan Evbuomwan, Yoan Makoundou, Justin Robinson, Olivier Nkamhoua, and Justin Minaya.
11 cares noves per al nostre projecte. Amb moltes ganes de gaudir junts 💙❤🔥 pic.twitter.com/43er2nKgvY
— Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) September 8, 2026
The Barça team arrives at its first official matches after concluding its preseason training this week in Andorra, which ended with a victory against Morabanc Andorra in its only preseason game. The presentation event was attended by board members Sisco Pujol and Jaume Nicolás, sporting director Xevi Pujol, technical secretary Mario Bruno Fernández, director of professional sports Xavier O’Callaghan, and the section’s ambassador, Audie Norris.
During the event, several of the new players made their ambitions for this new chapter clear. Justin Robinson and Josh Nebo both stated that the main objective is “to win,” while Agustín Ubal and Olek Balcerowski emphasized the importance of reigniting the fans’ enthusiasm and reconnecting with the Palau Blaugrana. For Tosan Evbuomwan, joining Barça also marks his first experience in European basketball. For their part, Tyrese Martin, Stanley Umude, and Umoja Gibson expressed their enthusiasm to begin the competition as soon as possible and demonstrate their ability in the Barça jersey.
The playing style was also a key topic. Justin Minaya advocated for a dynamic, fast-paced, and exciting Barça team, while Olivier Nkamhoua emphasized the importance and prestige of being part of a club like FC Barcelona, as well as the opportunity to continue developing as a player. Yoan Makoundou concluded the new signings’ statements with a direct message to the fans: “See you at the Palau.”
Xevi Pujol leads the way
FC Barcelona basketball’s sporting director, Xevi Pujol, was one of the key figures at the presentation of the new players and used his time to explain the main points of the project for the upcoming season.
Pujol, the new leading figure in the management of the basketball section, highlighted the work carried out during a particularly busy summer, marked by a major roster overhaul. The club has added eleven new players, a move that reflects the intention to build a team with a strong physical and athletic profile. “It’s been an intense summer, with many changes in all areas. The eleven new players have an athletic profile, with fresh legs, a good mentality, and a strong desire to improve,” the sporting director stated.
Beyond the traditional positions, the sporting management has sought players with specific characteristics that will provide the team with greater versatility. Pujol explained that the goal has been to combine different profiles to find a balance that will help the team grow. “We’ve prioritized one profile over traditional positions. We’ve found a balance between personality and characteristics that can help us grow,” he stated.
One of the main challenges for the new Barça will be ensuring that the new signings adapt quickly to the demands of European basketball. The ACB and the EuroLeague will present a demanding schedule from the outset, especially for a team with a significantly revamped roster.
Pujol highlighted the new players’ willingness to embrace this process and noted that the new core will be complemented by the four returning players from last season. “They arrive eager to adapt to the ACB, the EuroLeague, and a club like this. They join four returning players, giving us ample resources to tackle a season of over 80 games,” he explained.
With preseason now complete, Barça faces its first official commitments. The Catalan League will be the starting point, before the Spanish Super Cup and the beginning of national and European competitions.
In this context, Pujol believes that competition will be a fundamental tool for continuing to develop the project. The team will have to grow as it progresses and gradually assimilate the coaching staff’s ideas. “The first major challenge, after preseason, is to continue working in official competition, to build the team, develop tactically, and gradually adopt the style of play we want,” the sporting director concluded.
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