CS Universitatea Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca

U-Banca Transilvania Cluj-Napoca, commonly known as U-BT Cluj-Napoca, is a professional basketball club based in Cluj-Napoca, Romania that competes domestically in the Liga Națională de Baschet and internationally in the EuroCup. Like other teams that were initially part of the Universitatea Cluj multi sports club, the basketball team keeps the letter U (short form of Universitatea) in its name. The main sponsor of the team is the locally based banking institution Banca Transilvania. The team colors are black and white. U-BT Cluj-Napoca plays its home games at the BTarena, which accommodates 10,000 spectators,"Baze sportive U-BT Cluj-Napoca"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 11 November 2023. or in Horia Demian Sports Hall with a capacity of 2,525 spectators.

Initially being founded in 1947, the basketball team split from the parent sports club at the beginning of the 2000s, retaining its place in the top tier of Romanian basketball. While the current club is widely considered as the successor of the team that won three league titles before the turn of the century, the parent club claims all the trophies won before 2002 as part of its own records.totalbaschet.ro (2 June 2014
"Ovidiu Vasu: Palmaresul secţiei de baschet e al Universităţii Cluj-Napoca"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 2 June 2014. In 2017, an image partnership was agreed between U-BT Cluj-Napoca and FC Universitatea Cluj (the local football club which itself was functioning as a private entity following its split from the parent sports club), uniting them under the same brand.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (11 May 2017
"Alianță între FC Universitatea Cluj 1919 şi ACS U-BT"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 11 May 2017. Therefore, beginning with the 2017-18 season, U-BT Cluj-Napoca uses the same logo as the football club.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (18 September 2017
"Noul echipament, prezentat în conferința de presă"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 18 September 2017.Popa, Robert (18 September 2017

(in Romanian). ''Ziua de Cluj''. Retrieved 11 November 2023.

In all its forms since the 1940s, the club has won ten Romanian League Championships, seven Romanian Cups, and four Romanian Supercups, while also performing very good in European competitions, reaching the quarterfinals of both the Basketball Champions League and the EuroCup in recent seasons. The most famous name who played for the club is undoubtedly Gheorghe Mureșan, who remains to this day the only Romanian ever to play in the NBA. Another mention should go to Mihai Silvășan, who played for the Cluj team between 2002 and 2015, and then became the club's head coach in 2016.Barkas, Aris (14 November 2023
"U-BT Cluj-Napoca can be the next big thing"
''Eurohoops''. Retrieved 28 May 2024.

History

Early history (1947-1990)

Whilst the Universitatea Cluj multi sports club was founded in 1919, the basketball team was only established in 1947, coexisting for about a year with its equivalent at the Bolyai University, before their merger in December 1948. The club later changed its name to ''Știința Cluj'' in 1950, before switching it back to ''Universitatea'' in 1966."Istorie baschet masculin Universitatea Cluj-Napoca"
(in Romanian). ''ucluj.ro''. Retrieved 14 April 2024. In its early stages during the late 1940s and early 1950s, the Romanian championship was played in a qualification format, teams having to play in local and regional championships in order to qualify for the final tournament. Therefore, this period was marked by a battle for local supremacy between Știința and teams like Dermata (later renamed ''Flamura Roșie''), ASA Cluj and Metalul, ''The Red Caps'' often falling short against their more established rivals. In fact, many of the better players in the team were loaned to Divizia A side Flamura Roșie, once the new divisional championship format was established. However, the 1955 season saw the students (now playing under the name ''IMF-Progresul Cluj'') being promoted to the first tier for the first time in their history, under the leadership of coach Gheorghe Rusu. Many of the players that were loaned a couple of years earlier, now armed with experience playing at the higher level, were part of that year's roster.

Following promotion, the results would continue to improve, everything culminating in a second-place finish during the 1958–59 season. This result kickstarted two decades of amazing performances in the top flight, spearheaded by the talents of emblematic players for the history of the club, like Horia Demian, Imre Vizi, Mihai Albu, Gheorghe Roman and Matei Rührig.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (23 April 2019
"Vizi Imre, căpitan împotriva legendelor baschetului mondial"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 April 2024. The communism years were a time when the Romanian basketball landscape was dominated by Steaua and Dinamo Bucharest, teams which were closely tied with the army and the Ministry of Internal Affairs respectively. This translated in support from the communist regime in terms of training facilities and recruitment of the best players in the league. However, ''Studenții'' were often the main challengers of their rivals from the capital, finishing once in second and nine times in third during the 1960s and 1970s.

The 1980s however saw a decline in results, with lower finishes in the championship eventually culminating in relegation to Divizia B following the 1986–87 season. The turn of the decade found Universitatea back in the top flight, with a young Gheorghe Mureșan starring alongside other players that were going to play an important role for the club in the years to come.

Three Romanian championship titles (1990-2000)

The new decade saw a turn in fortunes for the Cluj team. This was made possible by some marquee signings: Mihai Sinevici, Bruno Roschnafski and Mircea Cristescu; all national team players, cumulated with a progress in training and preparations under the coaching duo of Gheorghe Roman and Liviu Morariu. It did not take long for the results to show on the court, the students establishing themselves as title contenders during the 1990–91 season, while also managing to defeat Panionios Athens (a strong representative of Greek basketball at that time) in the first round of the FIBA Korać Cup.Suciu, Cătălin (10 March 2015)
"REPORTAJ La Cluj înveți să iubești"
''Actual de Cluj''. Retrieved 18 April 2024. Unfortunately for them, the season would end in disappointment, following a best-of-three play-off final defeat against Steaua Bucharest.

Their performances during the previous campaign would bring a new premiere for ''The White and Blacks'': their first ever participation in the FIBA European Cup, entering to compete in the second round of the 1991-92 season against Pau-Orthez. In the first leg, Universitatea managed a famous home win against the French team, 107–101."UNIVERSITATEA - EB PAU-ORTHEZ 107-101"
''FIBA''. Retrieved 17 April 2024. However, it wasn't enough to advance for the next round, Pau-Orthez winning the reverse leg by eleven."EB PAU-ORTHEZ - UNIVERSITATEA 100-89"
''FIBA''. Retrieved 17 April 2024. On the domestic front there would be no mistakes this time. With the presence of the best two centers in the league in their roster (Ghiță Mureșan and Bruno Roschnafski), and the addition of Marcel Țenter at point guard, Universitatea won the first title in their history after a play-off final against Dinamo Bucharest, becoming the first team from outside the capital to be crowned as Romanian Champions.

The following season would see the departures of Mureșan and Roschnafski from the team, to France and Germany respectively, and the addition of Cornel Geomolean. Mureșan would become the first Romanian to play in the NBA, by signing with the Washington Bullets in 1993. He played six successful seasons with the Bullets and the New Jersey Nets; with career averages of 9.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists, and he won the NBA Most Improved Player Award following the 1995–96 NBA season."U Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca"
(in Romanian). ''cluj.com''. Retrieved 16 April 2024. For ''The Red Caps'', their first domestic championship title would translate into their first participation into the FIBA European League. Entering into the first round, they would lose both legs of their clash against USK Prague."1992–93 FIBA European League Results"
''FIBA''. Retrieved 17 April 2024. Internally, history would repeat itself during the 1992–93 season with a second consecutive title, again beating Dinamo in the final."MEN’S BASKETBALL, THE WAY TO GLORY"
(pages 17-24). ''studia.ubbcluj.ro''. Retrieved 17 April 2024.

For the 1993–94 season, Gheorghe Roman would fully take charge as head coach. During that campaign, ''Studenții'' suffered some setbacks, with short and long-term injuries keeping key players (Sinevici, Cristescu, Olpretean) out of action for some matches. The team managed to reach the play-off final again, going into the best-of-five final clash against Dinamo without home-court advantage. This would prove decisive in the end, Dinamo winning the final 3–2. The following season, the team came in third, representing the first season in five years in which they did not reach the final. By then, the team had the financial support of SM Invest (playing under the name ''"U" SM Invest''), which would go on to bring much needed resources heading into the 1995–96 season. Decisive would also prove to be the appointment of Dragan Petričević as head coach in January 1996, the Bosnian becoming the first ever foreigner to coach in Romania, at only 27 years old."C.S. Universitatea Cluj-Napoca"
(in Romanian). ''ajbcluj.ro''. Retrieved 17 April 2024. Everything culminated in a best-of-five play-off final against Steaua Bucharest. It was 1–1 after the first two games in Cluj, and 2–2 after the next two games in Bucharest. The decider took place back in Cluj, in front of a sold-out crowd at the Horia Demian Sports Hall. The match ended 86–75 in favour of the home team, Universitatea becoming Romanian champions for the third time. What followed was another participation in the newly rebranded FIBA EuroCup, with no notable results. In January 1997, after just one year spent coaching Universitatea, Dragan Petričević decided to leave the club, signing a contract with Politehnica Iași.

After this period of success, the team went through times of unrest and concern. Beginning with the 1997–98 season, the city of Cluj had two teams in Divizia A: Carbochim and Universitatea (now under the name ''”U” Sanex Cluj-Napoca''). ''The White and Blacks'' ended that year's championship in sixth, while Carbochim finished in third. The two teams merged that summer, under the name ''“U”Carbochim Cluj-Napoca'', while ex-player Gabriel Olpretean took over as head coach. ''Studenții'' managed a third-place finish in the 1998–99 season, to end a decade in which they managed seven top three finishes, including three Romanian Championship titles.

Parting ways with the parent club. Influx of foreign players (2000-2010)

The turn of the new millennium saw a lot of changes for the club, which were going to impact its future both in terms of performances and identity. Mircea Cristescu and Dorin Pintea returned to the club as players in January 2000. Cristescu retired that summer, becoming the new team manager, while Pintea later took on the role of assistant coach after ending his playing career.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (20 July 2020
"Bobo Pintea, o viață de poveste în alb-negru"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 13 April 2025. However, the biggest change would happen in the summer of 2001, when the basketball team parted ways with the parent sports club, going under the care of a private investiture. This decision was motivated as a way to facilitate the growth of the team, which had its prospects limited under the umbrella of the parent club.MIRCEA CRISTESCU: "AM REUȘIT SĂ NE CÂȘTIGĂM NOTORIETATEA CA ȘI CLUB!" , CUM S-A DEZVOLTAT FENOMENUL U BT CLUJ"
(in Romanian). ''Eurosport''. Retrieved 14 May 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (28 July 2009
"U, cu ghilimele!"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. The basketball club kept its tie with the ''Universitatea Cluj'' brand through a collaboration protocol signed with the sports club in 2009 and later through an image partnership agreed with FC Universitatea Cluj in 2017. However, the parent club later chose to reestablish its basketball section, claiming all the trophies won before the split as part of its own records.

The beginning of the 2000s also saw the first additions of foreign players to the team's roster, Serbian swingman Dejan Dukovčić becoming the first foreigner in history to represent the club, in 2002."Hartă interactivă: 49 de jucători și antrenori străini, de-a lungul timpului în curtea celor de la ”U” BT Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''Transilvania Reporter''. Retrieved 14 May 2024. Other players from former Yugoslav countries would join the club in the following years; like Predrag Mijušković, Zoran Krstanović, Miljan Medvedj and Branko Ćuić, while LeVar Seals became the first ever American to play for Cluj, in 2005. This period would also see the addition of a number of younger players to the roster, formed at ''CSS Viitorul Cluj'' under the tutelage of Voicu Moldovan: Paul Chetreanu, Mihai Racovițan, and most notably Mihai Silvășan, who would become the captain and later head coach of the team.Istrate, David (28 June 2022)
"Dedicație pentru Mihai Silvășan – un film realizat de echipa de marketing a lui U-BT"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 14 May 2024.

During this transitional period the results were mixed, the team finishing as high as fourth in the domestic championship. However, this result; obtained during the 2004–05 season, meant a return to continental competitions after nine years, ''The White and Blacks'' entering to compete in the FIBA EuroCup Challenge for the 2005–06 season. The summer of 2005 also saw the return of Bruno Roschnafsky to the team, after he played in Germany for thirteen years. Under the command of head coach Miodrag Perišić, the team managed one win and three losses in the regular season of the EuroCup Challenge. Domestically, they reached the final of the Romanian Cup, while coming second in the league championship. The following season, the students (now playing under the name ''U-Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca'') one-upped themselves in European competitions, performance facilitated by a number of signings, including Marcel Ţenter, who (like Roschnafsky the previous summer) returned to the club from Germany. Finishing the regular season of the 2006–07 FIBA EuroCup Challenge first in their group, with four wins and two losses, the team from Cluj reached the quarterfinal stage, where they lost both legs of their clash against Apollon Limassol. Individually, LeVar Seals ended up as the competition's top scorer, with an average of 22.9 points-per-game. Following the 2006–07 season, Bruno Roschnafsky left the club in order to form his own basketball team: BC Gladiator, while Marcel Ţenter retired as a player, becoming one of Perišić's assistant coaches, alongside Dorin Pintea.Ziua de Cluj (16 July 2010
" Roschnafsky şi-a adunat gladiatorii în Divizia B"
(in Romanian). ''Ziua de Cluj''. Retrieved 16 May 2024."U 90 de ani de activitate sportiva si performanta 1919-2009"
pages 176-207 (in Romanian). ''u-cluj.ro''. Retrieved 16 May 2024.

2007-2008 season: Baldwin's coaching leaves its mark on the team

In 2007, the EuroCup Challenge was abolished, which meant that the Cluj team entered to compete in the second preliminary round of the FIBA EuroCup, for the 2007-08 season. This was less significant on the court; U-Mobitelco losing both legs of their clash against PAOK Thessaloniki, but more significant off it, PAOK's head coach Tab Baldwin choosing to quit the Greek team and join Cluj in December. Baldwin; who managed to lead the New Zealand national basketball team to a FIBA World Cup semifinal in 2002, later said that he decided to join Cluj because he was impressed with the club's fans, structure and hunger for performances, while being disappointed with PAOK's lack of direction for their club.Gazeta Sporturilor (26 January 2008
" Thom Baldwin se destainuie "
(in Romanian). ''Gazeta Sporturilor''. Retrieved 20 May 2024.

Domestically, the influence of the American head coach showed on the court, U-Mobitelco finishing the regular season of the league championship with ten wins on the bounce. In the play-offs, ''The White and Blacks'' defeated Gaz Metan Mediaș in the quarterfinals and CSU Sibiu in the semifinals (losing once against each of them), to set up a best-of-seven final against CSU Asesoft Ploiești. Going into the final without home-court advantage, U-Mobitelco managed to win Game 1 in Ploiești, 72–81, but later lost Game 4 in Cluj, 75–82. From there, both teams would win their home games, the final ending in Ploiești, following an 82–66 win for Asesoft in Game 7."Liga Nationala Baschet De Masculin (2007-2008)"
''Eurobasket''. Retrieved 20 May 2024. In terms of individual awards for the campaign, LeVar Seals and Zoran Krstanović were included into the ''All-Romanian League first team'', Mihai Silvășan was elected as the league's ''Most Improved Player of the Year'', while Brad Buckman (who joined the team in January) was the league's statistical leader in blocks." Brad Buckman este noul jucător al lui U Mobitelco Cluj "
(in Romanian). ''naumaibaschet.ro''. Retriever 20 May 2024

2008-2009 season: Setbacks and injuries

The summer of 2008 saw a major reshaping of the team's roster in terms of foreign players, Branko Ćuić being the only one who would remain from the previous campaign. LeVar Seals and Miljan Medvedj joined CS Otopeni, while Buckman and Krstanović left to play for teams in Cyprus and the Netherlands. In their place, the club signed no less than six new foreign players, including Adrian Majstrovich and Leon Henry; who joined from the New Zealand NBL, Aleksandar Glintić from Serbia, and Matt Gibson; who played the previous campaign in Venezuela.Comănici, Andrada (17 February 2011)
" Baldwin: Nu mi-am primit încă banii de la U "
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 22 May 2024. In terms of domestic players, Levente Szijarto joined from Asesoft Ploiești.Rus, Adrian (4 August 2008)
"Tab Baldwin aduce jucatori la Cluj"
(in Romanian). ''România liberă''. Retrieved 22 May 2024. Unfortunately, the on court chemistry between the new signings was difficult to achieve, U-Mobitelco missing two of their primary objectives early in the campaign, by being eliminated from the FIBA EuroChallenge by EWE Baskets Oldenburg, and from the Romanian Cup by Asesoft Ploiești.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (30 October 2008
" Baldwin: Suntem dezamagiti cu totii "
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 22 May 2024.

From there, injuries and roster changes would become the norm for the season. Adrian Majstrovich left at the beginning of November, after just three months spent with the club, while Glintić and Mike Kinsella were sidelined with injuries, both of them leaving before the end of the calendar year.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (3 November 2008
"Adrian Majstrovich paraseste U-Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 22 May 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (10 December 2008
"Mike Kinsella paraseste U-Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 22 May 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (5 January 2009
"Declaratii 5 ianuarie"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 22 May 2024. The same happened with the American center Steve Rich, who joined the club in November to cover for Glintić's absence, but later suffered an injury himself, leaving the club in December.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (13 November 2008
"Steve Rich va fi legitimat"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 22 May 2024. The winter break saw the return of Zoran Krstanović from the Netherlands, while American center Terrence Roberts and Croatian guard Damir Milačić were added to the team's roster.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (12 December 2008
"Revenire surpriza: Zoran Krstanovic"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 22 May 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (9 January 2009
"Roberts ramane in lot pentru retur"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 22 May 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (11 January 2009
"Milacic ramane la U-Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 22 May 2024.

Unfortunately, a 79–72 defeat against Gaz Metan Mediaș in the final game of the regular season meant that U-Mobitelco would enter the play-off from the fifth position, without home-court advantage.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (4 April 2009
"Infrangere la Medias"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 22 May 2024. Another injury, suffered by Terrence Roberts would prove decisive in the end, ''The White and Blacks'' being eliminated from the play-off quarterfinals by CSU Sibiu. The end of the season saw the departure of Tab Baldwin and the appointment of Marcel Ţenter as head coach.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (17 June 2009
"Marcel Tenter, noul antrenor"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 22 May 2024.

2009-2010 season: Central European Basketball League runners-up

At the start of the new campaign, most of the foreign players brought the previous summer left, Ćuić and Krstanović opting to stay with the team.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (13 May 2009)
"Zoki va continua la U-Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (22 May 2009)
"Cuic: Ma tin de cuvant!"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. Levente Szijarto returned to Asesoft Ploiești. Miljan Medvedj returned from CS Otopeni, David Lawrence joined from Pitești, while Vladan Jocović was a late roster addition at the end of August.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (6 July 2009)
"Meda se întoarce acasă"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (22 July 2009)
"David Lawrence a sosit la Cluj"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (25 August 2009)
"Jocovic ramane la Cluj"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. Due to the Great Recession, the team chose not to register for the 2009-10 edition of the FIBA EuroChallenge, instead entering to compete in the second edition of the Central European Basketball League, which contained teams in closer geographical proximity with the city of Cluj.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (4 July 2009)
"Multumiri pentru fair-play"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. "U" Mobitelco managed to win all four games during the group stage, home and away against both BK Prostějov and Albacomp Fehérvár.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (18 December 2009)
"Rezultate CEBL"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (19 December 2009)
"Victorie la Prostejov"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. The final four took place in Cluj, in early February.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (18 January 2010)
"Turneul Final Four la Cluj"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. ''The White and Blacks'' managed to defeat Elba Timișoara in the semifinals, 73–64, but lost the final against Nový Jičín, 78–81, finishing the competition as runners-up.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (10 February 2010)
"U Mobitelco - ELBA Timisoara 73-64"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (10 February 2010)
"U Mobitelco - Novy Jicin 78-81"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. During the final, David Lawrence was taken out early with a knee injury, which later caused him to miss the remainder of the season.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (11 February 2010)
"In asteptarea verdictului"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (15 April 2010)
"David Lawrence va fi operat"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. In his place, Kyndall Dykes was brought to the team, while Vladan Jocović was dropped to make room for the addition of Robert Thomson.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (23 February 2010)
"Rob Thomson va sosi la Cluj"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (26 February 2010)
"Kyndall Dykes ramane in lot"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (28 February 2010)
"Jocovic merge acasa"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024.

Domestically, "U" Mobitelco reached the quarterfinal stage of the Romanian Cup, where they were eliminated by Asesoft Ploiești.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (11 November 2009)
"Eliminare din Cupa Romaniei"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. In the Romanian league, the team finished the regular season in first place, losing just five times and managing to beat Asesoft both home and away.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (27 February 2010)
"Campioana rapusa a doua oara"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024."Liga Nationala Baschet De Masculin (2009-2010)"
''Eurobasket''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. The opponents in the play-off quarterfinals were BC Mureș. The team from Târgu Mureș managed to push the series to Game 5 by winning its home games, but "U" Mobitelco took the decider in Cluj, 85–58.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (25 April 2010)
"Calificati in semifinale"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. In the semifinals, the Cluj team lost its first home game against Elba Timișoara, but later won the next three games in a row, to set up a new league final against Asesoft Ploiești.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (5 May 2010)
"Calificati in finala"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. In Game 1, "U" Mobitelco lost at home, 76–77, with the winning basket for the opponents coming in the final seconds of the game.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (14 May 2010)
"0-1 in finala"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. The second home game would also be lost, this time in a double overtime thriller: 111–113.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (15 May 2010)
"0-2 in finala"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. From there, Asesoft would win its home games too, sweeping the final, 4–0.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (20 May 2010)
"Baieti de aur, medalii de argint"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024. At the end of the regular season, Zoran Krstanović was elected as both the league's ''Player of the Year'' and ''Center of the Year'', while also being included in the ''All-Romanian League first team'', alongside Branko Ćuić.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (23 April 2010)
"Krstanovic, jucatorul anului"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 24 May 2024.

Champions yet again. The beginning of the Silvășan era (2010-2020)

2010-2011 season: Champions after fifteen years

The Cluj team began the 2010–11 season under a new name, ''"U" Mobitelco BT Cluj-Napoca'', due to their partnership with the banking institution, Banca Transilvania.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (22 September 2010
" U Mobitelco BT Cluj "
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 29 November 2024. The team remained largely unchanged compared to the previous season, "U" Mobitelco strengthening their roster through the arrivals of Claudiu Fometescu from Dinamo Bucharest and Miloš Pesić from Elba Timișoara.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (17 July 2010
"Transfer: Claudiu Fometescu"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (22 July 2010
"Transfer: Milos Pesic"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024. Additionally, David Lawrence rejoined the team after recovering from the injury sustained the previous season.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (7 September 2010
"David se alatura echipei"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024. In terms of departures, Flavius Lăpuște left for BC Mureș, while Miljan Medvedj returned to CS Otopeni.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (5 July 2010
"Flavius, la BC Mures"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (26 August 2010
"UPDATE - Declaratii conferinta de presa"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024. In February, Tyler Morris joined the roster after being in trials with the club.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (3 February 2011
"Tyler Morris, in probe"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (10 February 2011
"Tyler Morris va fi legitimat"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024. For the second consecutive season, "U" Mobitelco decided to participate in the Central European Basketball League.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (28 June 2010
"Vom juca in CEBL"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024. Unfortunately, the withdrawal of several teams from the competition resulted in the team playing only two games before the league was canceled.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (4 November 2010
"Alte retrageri din CEBL"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024.

On the domestic front, the Cluj team was eliminated early from the Romanian Cup, losing both home and away against BC Mureș.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (23 September 2010
"Infrangere la Mures"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (27 September 2010
"Infrangere si in retur"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024. In the national championship, the team lost six games during the regular season but secured second place and qualified for the play-offs.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (2 April 2011
"Victorie in ultima etapa"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024. In the quarterfinals, they faced their regional rivals CSU Sibiu, winning the series by sweeping all three games.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (18 April 2011
"Calificare in semifinale"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 29 November 2024. The semifinal series against Gaz Metan Mediaș proved much more challenging, with "U" Mobitelco securing a spot in the final only in Game 5, which they won 80–70.Comănici, Andrada (8 May 2011)
"PLAYOFF 2011. CRONICĂ. ”U” Mobitelco CJ Napoca – Gaz Metan Mediaş 80-70 (Meciul 5)"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 29 November 2024. The opponents in the final were once again their rivals, Asesoft Ploiești.totalbaschet.ro (8 May 2011)
"Finala Mare 2011. CSU Ploieşti - U Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024. Although "U" Mobitelco began the series, played in a best-of-seven format, without home-court advantage, the team managed to win Game 1 on their rival's court with a score of 79–89.Comănici, Andrada (14 May 2011)
"FINALA 2011. CRONICĂ. CSU Ploieşti – ”U” Mobitelco BT Cluj Napoca 79-89 (Meciul 1)"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024. They then secured victories in Games 3 and 4 on their home court.Marinescu, Costin (21 May 2011)
"FINALA 2011. CRONICĂ. U Mobitelco - CSU Ploieşti 66 - 65 (Meciul 3)"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024.Marinescu, Costin (22 May 2011)
"FINALA 2011. CRONICĂ. U Mobitelco - CSU Ploieşti 84 - 76 (Meciul 4)"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024. Asesoft's win in Game 5 brought the series back to Cluj, where "U" Mobitelco had the chance to claim the championship title in Game 6, in front of their own fans.Comănici, Andrada (28 May 2011)
"FINALA 2011. Cronică. CSU Ploieşti – “U” Mobitelco BT Cluj Napoca 68-56 (Meciul 5)"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 30 November 2024. The match, played in front of 4,000 spectators at the Horia Demian Sports Hall, was a tense affair, marked by many missed shots and turnovers on both sides, remaining evenly balanced until the final seconds.Marinescu, Costin (31 May 2011)
"FINALA 2011. CRONICĂ. U Mobitelco - CSU Ploieşti 64 - 61 (Meciul 6)"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 29 November 2024. With three seconds left on the clock and the score tied at 61-61, Tyler Morris grabbed a rebound under his own basket and dribbled toward the opposing half. He then launched a shot from beyond the halfway line, which banked in to set the final score at 64–61, securing the fourth championship title in the history of the Cluj team and their first in fifteen years.Ziua de Cluj (31 May 2011

(in Romanian). ''Ziua de Cluj''. Retrieved 31 May 2011.

2011-2012 season: Another campaign plagued by injuries

Following their title win in the previous season, “U” Mobitelco entered the 2011-12 edition of the FIBA EuroChallenge.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (8 June 2011
"Mergem in EuroChallenge"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024. The draw placed the Cluj team in a challenging group alongside France's Élan Chalon, Belgium's Antwerp Giants, and Russia's Enisey.totalbaschet.ro (12 October 2011)
"FIBA EuroChallenge - Programul meciurilor echipei U Mobitelco Cluj"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024. Cluj aimed to retain as much of their roster from the previous season as possible, with the only notable departures being Branko Ćuić and Claudiu Fometescu.totalbaschet.ro (3 July 2011)
"Branko Cuic se desparte de U Mobitelco BT Cluj"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024.totalbaschet.ro (25 June 2011)
"EXCLUSIV. Claudiu Fometescu: Sezonul următor nu mă va găsi la Cluj-Napoca"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024. Unfortunately, in early October, Robert Thomson decided to retire from basketball, and his spot on the team was filled by Serbian center Vladimir Mijović.totalbaschet.ro (6 October 2011)
"Rob Thomson a decis să îşi încheie cariera baschetbalistică"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (3 October 2011
"Vladimir Mijovic, in probe"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024. In the Romanian Cup, “U” Mobitelco was once again eliminated early by Gaz Metan Mediaș, despite securing a 56–55 victory in the second leg at the Horia Demian Sports Hall.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (24 September 2011
"Calificare ratata!"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024. Their European campaign began with two losses: a home defeat to Élan Chalon and an away loss to Antwerp Giants.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (8 November 2011
"Debut cu infrangere in EuroChallenge"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (16 November 2011
"Infrangere la Antwerp"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024. However, they achieved a victory in Russia against Enisey, 73–81.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (22 November 2011
"Victorie de senzatie in Rusia!"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024. Unfortunately, Cluj lost the remaining three group-stage matches, exiting the competition with a record of five losses and one win.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (29 November 2011
"Elan Chalon - "U" Mobitelco BT 83-74"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (6 December 2011
"Infrangere in meciul cu Antwerp"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (13 December 2011
"Infrangere in meciul cu Enisey"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024.

Towards the end of the year, the team faced a serious injury crisis.totalbaschet.ro (11 December 2011)
"Încă o accidentare la U-Mobitelco. Mihai Silvăşan e indisponibil 3 luni"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024. On November 18, Paul Chetreanu was injured during a loss to Energia Rovinari. Later, Tyler Morris suffered a cruciate ligament tear in the return match against Antwerp Giants in Cluj. In December, team captain Silvășan joined the injury list and was sidelined for the next four months. To bolster their roster, Cluj signed Jerome LaGrange as a point guard and Phillip Jones, an American center also capable of playing as a power forward.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (16 December 2011
"Jerome LaGrange ramane la echipa"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024.totalbaschet.ro (25 January 2012)
"Phillip Jones ar putea debuta astăzi pentru U Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024. Despite the injuries and constant roster changes, “U” Mobitelco managed to qualify for the play-offs, finishing the regular season in third place with a 20–8 record.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (4 April 2012
"Victorie la Sibiu. Cu Mures in play-off"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024. The Cluj team won their quarterfinal series against BC Mureș, 3–1.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (20 April 2012
"Victorie in prelungiri la Mures"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024. However, they were swept in the semifinals by BC Timișoara, losing all three games, and ended the championship in fourth place after falling to Gaz Metan Mediaș in the bronze-medal match.Micinic, Adrian (11 May 2012)
"Primul sezon pentru Marcel Țenter în care nu ajunge în finală"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024.totalbaschet.ro (20 May 2012)
"Marcel Ţenter: Îmi pare foarte rău că nu am reuşit să ne clasăm acolo unde ne-am dorit"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024. At the end of the season, head coach Marcel Țenter decided to leave the team, and Nikša Bavčević took over as the new head coach.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (7 June 2012
"Am decis sa plec la Medias"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (2 July 2012
"Niksa Bavcevic este noul antrenor al "U" Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 2 December 2024.

2012-2013 season: Rebuilding under Nikša Bavčević

The preseason under new head coach Nikša Bavčević focused on rebuilding the roster. ''The White and Blacks'' chose to promote several academy juniors to the first team, including young Nandor Kuti, while Cătălin Baciu returned to Cluj after finishing his college career in the United States.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (25 June 2012
"Catalin Baciu, la U Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 March 2025. Regarding foreign players, the Cluj squad was joined by Canadian Steve Ross and Estonian international Reinar Hallik.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (15 July 2012
"UPDATE: Steve Ross, la U Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 March 2025.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (5 August 2012
"Estonianul Reinar Hallik a semnat cu U Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 March 2025. Croatian Vedran Nakić took over the point guard position, American John Ofoegbu, MVP of the Bulgarian league in the previous season, was brought in as the center, and Sean Barnette completed the team's acquisitions.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (13 August 2012
"Pivotul anului din Bulgaria, la U Mobitelco!"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 March 2025.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (6 August 2012
"UPDATE: Croatul Vedran Nakic, la U Mobitelco!"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 March 2025.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (18 August 2012
"Sean Barnette incheie lista de transferuri"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 March 2025. From the previous season's squad, Tyler Morris returned after recovering from the injury he suffered the year before.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (16 August 2012
"Tyler Morris se intoarce la Cluj"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 March 2025. Unfortunately, early preseason injuries to Steve Ross and Tyler Morris led to further roster changes, with American Derek Wright and Bulgarian Hristo Nikolov brought in as replacements.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (10 September 2012
"Derek Wright va ramane la U Mobitelco BT"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 March 2025.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (13 September 2012
"Hristo Nikolov, la U Mobitelco!"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 March 2025. Additionally, Ofoegbu was replaced before the start of the season by Montenegrin Ivan Todorović.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (25 September 2012
"Ivan Todorovic il inlocuieste pe John Ofoegbu"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 March 2025.

In the Romanian Cup, ''The Red Caps'' reached the quarterfinals despite a loss to CSȘ Giurgiu, after defeating Dinamo and CSM Bucharest in the first round.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (30 September 2012
"Cupa Romaniei: Victorie cu CSM Bucuresti"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 March 2025.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (28 September 2012
"Cupa Romaniei: Victorie cu Dinamo"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 March 2025.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (29 September 2012
"Cupa Romaniei: Infrangere cu CSS Giurgiu"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 15 March 2025. In the league, however, Cluj had a tough first half of the season, finishing December in seventh place with a 9–6 record.Micinic, Adrian (30 December 2012)
"Locul 7 - U Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca. Echipa cu probleme"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025. The end of the regular season's first half brought further roster changes. Tyler Morris decided to retire, Reinar Hallik left the team to sign with SCM U Craiova, and Ivan Todorović was removed from the squad due to poor performances.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (7 November 2012
"Tyler Morris se retrage din activitate"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025.Micinic, Adrian (3 January 2013)
"Reinar Hallik a semnat cu SCM U Craiova"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025.totalbaschet.ro (27 December 2012)
"Cristescu: Cu Nikolov e o telenovelă. Todorovic nu va mai fi trecut pe lista de joc și nu știm ce va fi cu Hallik"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025.Micinic, Adrian (29 October 2012)
"Ivan Todorovic are 15% la linia de pedeapsă după cinci etape!"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025. On the arrivals side, Dalibor Đapa was signed as a center, and Mihai Paul was also brought back to the team.totalbaschet.ro (18 February 2013)
"Mihai Paul revine la U Mobitelco Cluj Napoca"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025.

Despite losing 76–70 away to Oradea in the first leg, Cluj advanced in the Romanian Cup after defeating them 75–61 at the Horia Demian Sports Hall.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (30 December 2012
"Infrangere in mansa tur a Cupei Romaniei"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (5 January 2013
"Victorie cu Oradea si calificare in Final Four"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025. This result marked "U" Mobitelco's first qualification for the Romanian Cup Final Four in seven years.totalbaschet.ro (5 January 2013)
"U Mobitelco s-a calificat în Final Four după o pauză de 6 ani"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025. ''The Students'' went on to defeat Asesoft Ploiești 90–74 in the semifinals before losing 62–76 in the final against Gaz Metan Mediaș, finishing as runners-up.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (6 April 2013
"Victorie cu Ploiesti, suntem in finala!"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025.Ardereanu, Ioana (8 April 2013)
"F4. Mircea Cristescu: Se pare că nu am fost pregătiți mental"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025. In the league, "U" Mobitelco finished the regular season in seventh place, facing CSM Oradea in the playoff quarterfinals.totalbaschet.ro (2 April 2013)
"Niksa Bavcevic: În playoff totul începe de la 0"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (2 April 2012
"Victorie cu Pitesti, jucam cu Oradea in play-off"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025. ''The White and Blacks'' managed to win Game 2 in Oradea (67–68), bringing the series back to Cluj tied at 1-1.Micinic, Adrian (14 April 2013)
"Oradea se luptă cu Clujul. La propriu!"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025.totalbaschet.ro (14 April 2013)
"Silvășan: Trebuia să fim mai maturi pe final. Mă mulțumește acest 1-1"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025. Unfortunately, the team lost both home games against Oradea, losing the series 1-3 and ending their season prematurely in late April.Micinic, Adrian (20 April 2013)
"CSM Oradea câștigă Meciul 3 al seriei cu U Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025.Micinic, Adrian (23 April 2013)
"CSM Oradea învinge pe revenire și se califică în semifinale"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 16 March 2025.

2013-2014 season: Dorin Pintea becomes head coach

The 2013-14 preseason marked another head coaching change for "U" BT Mobitelco, with Dorin Pintea getting the opportunity to lead the team after Nikša Bavčević’s departure.Micinic, Adrian (24 May 2013)
"Niksa Bavcevic nu mai este antrenorul lui U Mobitelco Cluj"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025. Other changes in the Cluj-based club’s technical staff included Paul Chetreanu’s appointment as an assistant coach following his retirement as a player and the hiring of Milorad Perović as the team’s technical director.Micinic, Adrian (29 July 2013)
"Paul Chetreanu, noul asistent al lui U Mobitelco Cluj"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025.totalbaschet.ro (29 July 2013)
"Mircea Cristescu: Chetreanu a fost nevoit să pună punct carierei de baschetbalist"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025.Micinic, Adrian (19 August 2013)
"Milorad Perovic este noul director tehnic al U Mobitelco Cluj"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025. Regarding the player roster, ''The White and Blacks'' parted ways with all foreign players from the previous season, as well as Romanian international Mihai Paul.Olar, Paul (3 September 2013)
"Lotul lui U-BT Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca pentru stagiunea 2013/2014"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025. In terms of new signings, the team brought in Americans Darius Hargrove and Josh Sparks, Serbian small forward Ivan Kuburović, and Montenegrin center Boris Lalović. Additionally, Branko Ćuić and Miljan Medvedj returned to the squad, while youth players Mirel Dragoste and Cristian Anghel were promoted to the senior team.

In the Romanian Cup, "U" BT Mobitelco Cluj advanced to the quarterfinals after an 83-70 home victory against SCM U Craiova, overturning a four-point first-leg deficit.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (19 September 2013
"Cupa Romaniei: SCMU Craiova - "U" BT Mobitelco 82 - 78"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (26 September 2013
"Victorie cu Craiova si calificare in sferturi"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025. Unfortunately, their journey in the competition ended in the quarterfinals after two double-digit losses to BCM U Pitești.Olar, Paul (13 January 2014)
"BCM U Pitești revine în Final Four după o pauză de doi ani"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025. These defeats had consequences, as the club decided to part ways with Milorad Perović, and some players faced financial penalties.totalbaschet.ro (14 January 2014)
"U-BT Mobitelco a renunţat la colaborarea cu Milorad Perovic"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025. In the national championship, the season started with mixed results, with "U" BT Mobitelco finishing the first half of the regular season with an 8-5 record. However, after their Cup elimination, the team showed improved form, winning all their games in the first two months of 2014. During this period, American point guard Lawrence Westbrook temporarily joined the team to cover for Miljan Medvedj’s injury.Bărăian, Radu (10 February 2014)
"Lawrence Westbrook rămâne la U-BT Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025. Unfortunately, a four-game losing streak in March resulted in a fifth-place finish at the end of the regular season.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (31 March 2014
"A patra infrangere consecutiva"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (5 April 2014
"Victorie cu Farul, in play-off cu Sibiul!"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025.Olar, Paul (5 April 2014)
"U-BT Mobitelco surclasează pe Farul Constanța"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025.

In the playoff quarterfinals, they faced arch-rivals CSU Sibiu, who had home-court advantage after finishing fourth. Sibiu won the first two games of the series before the action moved to Cluj.Olar, Paul (1 May 2014)
"Victoria - Singura variantă pentru U-BT Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025. In response, "U" BT Mobitelco won both of their home games, forcing a decisive Game 5 at Sibiu’s Sala Transilvania.Olar, Paul (6 May 2014)
"Dramatismul continuă. CSU Sibiu și U-BT Mobitelco se înfruntă în decisiv"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025. The hero of the game was Cluj captain Mihai Silvășan, who delivered a monster performance with 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, capped by a game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds to seal his team’s victory.Olar, Paul (7 May 2014)
"Mihai Silvășan îi conduce pe clujeni spre semifinale"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025.Olar, Paul (8 May 2014)
"Prestație demnă de U-n căpitan"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025. In the semifinals, ''The White and Blacks'' faced their old rivals, Asesoft Ploiești. Cluj managed to steal Game 1 on the road, tying the series at 1-1.Olar, Paul (13 May 2014)
"Lunetiștii clujeni domină campioana"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025. However, they missed the opportunity to reach the finals after suffering a heartbreaking 85-87 home loss in Game 4, followed by another defeat in the decisive Game 5 in Ploiești.Isailă, Bogdan (22 May 2014)
"U Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca învinge pe Asesoft și se află la o victorie de finala LNBM"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025.Isailă, Bogdan (23 May 2014)
"CSU Asesoft câștigă meciul 4 cu U Mobitelco și trimite seria în decisiv"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025.Isailă, Bogdan (26 May 2014)
"Finala din semifinale s-a încheiat cu triumful lui CSU Asesoft Ploiești"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025. In the bronze medal series, ''The White and Blacks'' were decisively beaten in both games by BC Mureș, ultimately finishing the season in fourth place.Bărăian, Radu (4 June 2014)
"BC Mureș cucerește medalia de bronz"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (5 June 2014
"Final de sezon, locul patru pentru U-BT Mobitelco"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 4 April 2025.

2014-2015 season: The first season in the BTarena. Mihai Silvășan retires

The Cluj-Napoca team began the 2014–2015 season under a new name, ''U-Banca Transilvania Cluj-Napoca'', following the end of the collaboration protocol with the Universitatea Cluj Sports Club and the departure of sponsor Mobitelco.totalbaschet.ro (2 June 2014
"Mircea Cristescu: Dacă nu vom mai avea protocolul cu CSU atunci ne vor cădea ghilimelele"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025. Changes to the roster included the signings of Andrei Mandache and Zoran Cvjetković, as well as the departure of Josh Sparks and Ivan Kuburović.Oancia, Dan (30 June 2014)
"Schimbări de lot pentru U-Banca Transilvania"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025.Olar, Paul (23 July 2014)
"ACTUALIZARE. U Banca Transilvania a anunțat lotul pentru sezonul următor"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025. Additionally, Sean Barnette and Tudor Jucan were brought back to the team. American point guard Curtis Millage joined the squad later, in October.Oancia, Dan (13 October 2014)
"U-BT Cluj-Napoca l-a transferat pe Curtis Millage"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025.

After a three-year absence, ''The White and Blacks'' returned to European competition by participating in the FIBA EuroChallenge, where they were drawn into a group alongside Turkish side Trabzonspor, Austrian champions UBC Güssing Knights, and Hungarian runners-up Atomerőmű Paks.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (6 July 2014
"Ne cunoastem adversarii din FIBA EuroChallenge"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025. The home game against Trabzonspor marked the team’s debut in BTarena, in front of over 5,000 spectators.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (30 October 2014
"Debut in noua polivalenta, cu Trabzonspor"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025. U-BT Cluj-Napoca finished the group stage with a 1–5 record.Bărăian, Radu (16 December 2014
"U-Banca Transilvania, victorie în ultima reprezentație din EuroChallenge"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025. Their sole victory came in the final game, an 81–68 away win over Atomerőmű, but it was not enough to continue in the competition.

Domestically, the season began with a major disappointment, as ''The White and Blacks'' were eliminated in the first round of the Romanian Cup by BC Timișoara.Olar, Paul (1 October 2014
"Dorin Pintea: Pe lângă această eliminare, noi am plătit scump cu accidentările"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025. The start of the national league was also rough, with the team losing six of their first eight games."U-Banca Transilvania Cluj-Napoca 2014-2015 Results"
''Eurobasket''. Retrieved 4 May 2025. These poor results led to a change in the coaching staff, with Marcel Țenter returning as head coach in November.Bărăian, Radu (13 November 2014
"Marcel Țenter este noul antrenor al formației U-Banca Transilvania"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025. Later, Dorin Pintea rejoined the staff as assistant coach.Olar, Paul (18 November 2014)
"Dorin Pintea rămâne la U-BT Cluj-Napoca"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025. There were further changes to the roster as Miljan Medvedj left the team at the end of November.Olar, Paul (30 November 2014)
"Miljan Medvedj se desparte de U Banca Transilvania"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025. During the winter break, U-BT Cluj added American players Frank Turner and Jonathan Jones to the squad, while Zoran Cvjetković left the team and transferred to Germany.Bărăian, Radu (20 January 2015)
"Zoran Cvjetkovic s-a transferat în liga a 4-a din Germania"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025.Olar, Paul (21 January 2015)
"Jonathan Jones rămâne la U-Banca Transilvania"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (4 January 2015
"Turner ramane la echipa, Jazvin nu"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025. These changes revitalized the team’s performance, with ''The White and Blacks'' losing only two more games in the remainder of the regular season. A key win in the final round; 92–84 away against BC Mureș, secured third place in the standings and home-court advantage in the play-off quarterfinal series against the same Mureș team.Csiki, Noémi (29 March 2015)
"U-Banca Transilvania a trecut de BC Mureș în ultima etapă"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025. Unfortunately, the season ended in disappointment, as ''The White and Blacks'' were swept by BC Mureș in the quarterfinals.Popa, Eduard (18 April 2015)
"BC Mureș se califică în semifinalele LNBM după ce a trecut de U-BT Cluj cu 3-0"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025. The end of the season also brought sad news for Cluj fans: team captain Mihai Silvășan announced his retirement due to recurring back injuries.Olar, Paul (20 April 2015)
"Mihai Silvășan se retrage din activitatea de jucător profesionist. Decizia nu am luat-o acum, la supărare"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025.U-BT Cluj-Napoca website (20 April 2015
"Mihai Silvasan se retrage. MULTUMIM, CAPITANE!"
(in Romanian). ''u-bt.ro''. Retrieved 4 May 2025.

Players and head coaches

Current roster

Depth chart

Notable players

Head coaches

Fans and rivalries

U-BT Cluj-Napoca has the largest basketball fanbase in Romania, with over 3,000 season ticket holders as of the 2024–25 season."Nou record!! 3302 abonați în sezonul 2024-2025. Vă mulțumim pentru toată susținerea!!"
. ''Facebook''. Retrieved 10 September 2024. The club holds the attendance record for an indoor sporting event in Romania, performance achieved for the first time during their two home matches against MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in the quarterfinals of the 2021–22 Basketball Champions League, when capacity crowds of 10,000 filled the BTarena in both games.Marinescu, Razvan (4 April 2022)
"Record de audiență în sportul de sală din România: 10.000 de spectatori la meciul de baschet dintre U Banca Transilvania Cluj și Ludwisburg"
(in Romanian). ''Arges Sport''. Retrieved 22 May 2024. Since then, the club has managed to draw capacity crowds at the BTarena quite often at their games in EuroCup, but also at their domestic league play-off games."U-BT Cluj-Napoca – London Lions 79-91"
. ''Euroleague''. Retrieved 22 May 2024.Istrate, David (29 May 2023)
"44.510 suporteri au fost în tribunele BTarena și Oradea Arena la finala LNBM"
(in Romanian). ''Baschet.ro''. Retrieved 22 May 2024. The domestic rivalries of U-BT Cluj-Napoca are mainly driven by performances, the club being a challenger for domestic silverware from as early as the 1950s:
*The rivalry against CSM Oradea. Following the dissolution of CSU Asesoft Ploiești, the battle for national supremacy in Romanian basketball has been contested between U-BT Cluj-Napoca and CSM Oradea, every league title since 2016 being won by either one of them."ISTORIC - CAMPIOANELE ROMANIEI (MASCULIN), DIN 1929 SI PANA IN PREZENT"
(in Romanian). '' Federația română de baschet''. Retrieved 22 May 2024. The two clubs have played in four championship play-off finals against each other, these games often drawing capacity crowds at both the Oradea Arena and the BTarena.
*The rivalry against CSU Sibiu. This is more of a regional rivalry, Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu being the largest cities in the Transylvania region. Therefore, the matches between the two teams are often called ''The derby of Transylvania''. Like Cluj, CSU Sibiu has a large basketball fanbase.
*Rivalries against teams from Bucharest. During the twentieth century, Cluj's main rivals for domestic supremacy were Steaua and Dinamo Bucharest, the two teams from the capital sharing between them all the league titles contested from 1953 to 1991. In recent seasons, a minor rivalry was ignited between ''The White and Blacks'' and CSO Voluntari, the two teams contesting the 2021 and 2022 editions of the Romanian Supercup against each other."SUPERCUPA ROMANIEI MASCULIN"
(in Romanian). '' Federația română de baschet''. Retrieved 22 May 2024.

Season by season

Jerseys

Individual awards

Note: Domestic awards shown here are in accordance with the ''Eurobasket.com'' website.

All-EuroCup Second Team
* Patrick Richard ( 2023–24)
* Emanuel Cățe ( 2023–24)
* Zavier Simpson ( 2024–25)
All-Basketball Champions League Second Team
* Elijah Stewart ( 2021-22)
EuroCup MVP of the Round
* Karel Guzmán ( November 2023)
* Emanuel Cățe ( January 2024)
* Zavier Simpson ( November 2024)
* D. J. Seeley ( January 2025)
Basketball Champions League MVP of the Month
* Brandon Brown ( December 2021)
EuroCup Assists Leader
* Zavier Simpson ( 2024–25)
FIBA EuroCup Challenge Top Scorer
* LeVar Seals ( 2006-07)
Romanian Basketball League MVP
* Zoran Krstanović (2009–10)
* Kyndall Dykes (2010–11, 2018-19)
* Elijah Stewart ( 2021-22)
* Emanuel Cățe ( 2023–24)
Romanian Basketball League Finals MVP
* Ousmane Barro (2017)
* Donatas Tarolis (2021)
* Patrick Richard (2022)
* Léonardo Meindl (2023)
* Bryce Jones (2024)
* Zavier Simpson (2025)

Romanian Cup Finals MVP
* Filip Adamović (2016)
* Aleksandar Rašić (2017)
* Ousmane Barro (2018)
* Donatas Tarolis (2020)
* Léonardo Meindl (2023)
* Jarell Eddie (2024)
Romanian Supercup MVP
* Jason Washburn (2018)
* Andrija Stipanović (2021)
* Patrick Richard (2022)
All-Romanian League First Team
* LeVar Seals (2007–08)
* Zoran Krstanović (2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12)
* Branko Ćuić (2009–10)
* Kyndall Dykes (2010–11, 2015-16, 2018-19)
* Željko Šakić ( 2017-18)
* Jason Washburn ( 2018-19)
* Darko Planinić ( 2019-20)
* Patrick Richard ( 2019-20)
* Andrija Stipanović ( 2020-21)
* Donatas Tarolis ( 2020-21)
* Elijah Stewart ( 2021-22)
* Léonardo Meindl ( 2022-23)
* Emanuel Cățe ( 2023–24)
* Zach Hankins ( 2024–25)
Romanian League Coach of the Year
* Marcel Țenter (2010–11)
* Mihai Silvășan ( 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25)
* Duško Vujošević ( 2020-21)

Romanian League Center of the Year
* Zoran Krstanović (2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12)
* Jason Washburn ( 2018-19)
* Darko Planinić ( 2019-20)
* Andrija Stipanović ( 2020-21)
* Emanuel Cățe ( 2023–24)
* Zach Hankins ( 2024–25)
Romanian League Guard of the Year
* Kyndall Dykes (2010–11, 2018-19)
* Elijah Stewart ( 2021-22)
Romanian League Forward of the Year
* Željko Šakić ( 2017-18)
* Patrick Richard ( 2019-20)
* Donatas Tarolis ( 2020-21)
Romanian League Assist Leader
* Derek Wright ( 2012-13)
Romanian League Blocks Leader
* Brad Buckman (2007–08)
* Emanuel Cățe (2022–23)
Romanian League Steals Leader
* Derek Wright ( 2012-13)
Romanian League Best Defender
* Derek Wright ( 2012-13)
* Emanuel Cățe (2022–23)
Romanian League Best Prospect of the Year
* Nandor Kuti ( 2013-14)
* Tudor Șomăcescu (2024-25)
Romanian League Most Improved Player
* Mihai Silvășan (2007–08)
* Cătălin Baciu ( 2013-14)

Honours

Note: Years in ''italics'' indicate performances obtained as part of the Universitatea Cluj multi sports club, which are not officially recognised as being part of the current club's records.

Domestic competitions

* Liga Națională
** Champion (10): ''1992'', ''1993'', ''1996'', 2011, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
** Runners-up (7): ''1959'', ''1962'', ''1991'', ''1994'', 2006, 2008, 2010
** Third place (14): ''1960'', ''1963'', ''1966'', ''1967'', ''1970'', ''1973'', ''1976'', ''1977'', ''1978'', ''1995'', ''1999'', 2007, 2018, 2019
*Romanian Cup
** Champion (7): ''1995'', 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2023, 2024
** Runners-up (2): 2006, 2013
*Romanian Supercup
** Champion (4): 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022

European competitions

* BKT EuroCup
**Quarterfinals (2): 2023–24, 2024–25
*Basketball Champions League
**Quarterfinals (1): 2021–22
*FIBA Europe Cup
**Quarterfinals (1): 2019–20
*FIBA EuroCup Challenge
**Quarterfinals (1): 2006–07
* Central European Basketball League (CEBL)
** Runners-up (1): 2009-10

Notes

References

External links

Official website


Baschetromania.ro U-BT Cluj-Napoca Team Profile


Baschet.ro U-BT Cluj-Napoca Team Profile


FRB U-BT Cluj-Napoca Team Profile


Eurobasket.com U-BT Cluj-Napoca Team Profile



Euroleague Basketball U-BT Cluj-Napoca Team Profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:U-BT Cluj-Napoca
Sport in Cluj County
Sport in Cluj-Napoca
Basketball teams in Romania
Basketball teams established in 1947
1947 establishments in Romania