We are recalling all foreign players that have ever played in the League, telling about foreign championships and National teams of different countries in World basketball map project. Today we are moving to Romania.
Population: 19,4 mln
Players in the history of League: 1.
Full list of players: Vlad-Sorin Moldoveanu.
The only Romania representative in the history of VTB United League is forward Vlad Moldoveanu. Born in Bucharest, he has played for Kalev in 2013/14 season. In 18 games he was averaging 13,2 points (2nd best in team) and 5,0 rebounds (2nd best in team). Moreover, as Kalev player Moldoveanu became Estonia champion and championship finals MVP in 2013/14 season.
There is also one American player with Romanian citizenship in the history of League – guard Kris Richard. In 2016/17 season Richard spent 27 games for VEF averaging 10,0 points, 3,2 rebounds and 3,3 assists per.
Basketball in Romania
League: Liga Națională
Founded: in 1950
Number of teams: 16
League’s web-site: https://www.frbaschet.ro/
Romanian championship is one of the oldest in Europe, this year is 70th for it. Throughout this time 10 different clubs became country champions. The most titled teams are Dinamo (22 titles) and Steaua (21 title) both from Bucharest.
In 2019/20 season there were 16 teams participating. The competitors were divided into 2 groups, 8 teams in each of them considering last season results. Romanian regular season is held in 2 rounds, after that 8 strongest teams meet in play-offs. Series are played till 3 wins (3rd place series – till 2 wins).
Last 2 season Romania was represented with 3 teams in European cups: Oradea in Champions League, and Universitatea, Steaua (in 2018/19 season) and Sibiu (in 2019/20 season) in FIBA Europe Cup.
There are former VTB United League players among Romanian championship athletes. Courtney Fortson, who is famous for playing for Avtodor began his career in Steaua in 2010, Tsmoki-Minsk forward Aliaksandr Pustahvar was 3rd best scorer in 2014/15 season playing for Medias, and Filip Adamovich joined Tsmoki-Minsk in 2017 after 2 years in Universitatea.
Interesting fact
Ernie Grunfeld, 1975 Olympic Games champion as USA National team player, ex-general manager of New York Knicks (1989-1999), Milwaukee Bucks (1999-2003) and Washington Wizards (2003-2019) was born in Romanian city Satu Mare. His family moved to USA when he was 8 years old.
Romania National team
FIBA rank: 54
FIBA members: since 1932
Achievements: 1952 Olympic Games participation, 18 Eurobasket participations
In 1935 Romania became one of 10 National teams to participate in first Eurobasket tournament. Romanian players were the only ones to lose every game, 0-3 is the record that the last team in the table had. In 1952 Romania participated in Olympic Games but couldn’t make it to the final stage losing in both qualification games.
The most successful period for Romanian National team was late 50-s/ early 70-s. Since 1955 till 1973 National team hasn’t missed a single Eurobasket and 6 times was in top-8 teams of the tournament.
In 21st century they have participated in Eurobasket only once. In 2017 Romania became one of tournament’s hosts but didn’t manage to take a single victory on a group stage (0-5).
Nowadays Romanian National team is ranked 54 by FIBA, 30th among European teams.
The most famous Romanian players in history
Gheorghe Muresan. The first Romanian player in the NBA, together with Manute Bol is the highest player in NBA history (2,31 m both). Muresan spent 6 seasons in the NBA, in 1996 he won Most Improved Player of the season award, in 1996 and 1997 had the best field goal percentage in the League. Moreover, he is Romania and France champion.
Andrei Folbert. 16-time Romania champion, 5-time Eurobasket participant and Romania National team captain for 25 years (since 1946 till 1971). Folbert spent 28 seasons in his career playing only for Romanian teams.
Constantin Popa. 53rd pick of the 1995 NBA Draft, 4-time Israel champion and France champion, the highest player in the history of Miami university (2,21 m). Born in Bucharest, he debuted for National team at the age of 16 on Eurobasket 1987. In 1990 the center led his team to the fourth place on European tournament.
Dmitriy Kolinov
