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Ex-NBA Champ Ducas Joins Balkan Botevgrad
17 Aug
Summary
- Alex Ducas, an Australian swingman, joins Balkan Botevgrad for the 2026-27 season.
- Ducas previously played 21 games for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024-25.
- Luca Illes, a 19-year-old playmaker, joins U-BT Cluj-Napoca on loan.
The BKT EuroCup is set for an intense 2026-27 season with clubs actively upgrading their rosters. Bulgarian titleholders Balkan Botevgrad announced a significant acquisition on Monday: Australian swingman Alex Ducas. This marks Ducas's European debut, bringing championship experience from his 21 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2024-25 NBA season.
Ducas is expected to be a primary scoring threat and defensive asset for Balkan Botevgrad, led by Bogdan Karaicic. He joins a talented roster for their Group D campaign. Separately, Romanian champions U-BT Cluj-Napoca bolstered their lineup on Sunday. They secured a loan deal for 19-year-old playmaker Luca Illes from EuroLeague's Partizan Mozzart Bet for the entire 2026-27 season.
Illes adds youthful dynamism and court vision to U-BT Cluj-Napoca's ambitions. He integrates into a team featuring established players, preparing them for their own continental journey in Group B. Both clubs are making strategic moves to strengthen their competitive edge in Europe's second-tier basketball competition.
