Where Is the ABA League Headed?

Ever since its inception, the ABA League has faced an endless barrage of criticism. From constant debates over whether regional competition is truly necessary, to arguments over EuroLeague qualification, every new campaign seemed to bring fresh controversy. The complaints alternated between Serbian and Croatian camps, and the competition never fully enjoyed unanimous backing from the local basketball community.

Yet, amid all the background noise, quality basketball was being played—consistently competitive and compelling. Over time, this regional "ugly duckling" evolved into a respected, high-level European league, currently serving as the home competition for three EuroLeague sides and four EuroCup contenders. Thanks to generational talents like Nikola Jokić, Boban Marjanović, and many others, the global basketball map is well aware of this post-Yugoslav basketball hub. Numerous players have used their time in the Adriatic League as a launching pad for standout international careers.

Still, the drama never truly subsides. In recent years, the league has been shadowed by perpetual rumors of an impending demise or an imminent collapse. The Croatian Basketball Federation has long voiced discontent over its clubs' involvement, while Serbian giants continue to weigh the viability of a revamped, stronger domestic league. Meanwhile, league organizers have tried to inject fresh momentum through ambitious expansions into the Middle East, as well as Central and Eastern Europe.

To complicate matters further, a referee dispute over pay recently erupted, with officials demanding higher compensation while the league board held firm. The impasse forced the ABA to postpone the opening round by a week, but instead of reaching an agreement, reports indicate the league opted to bring in replacement referees. It marks a dramatic twist, especially coming just weeks after the league's lavish gala celebrating a quarter-century of Adriatic basketball...

Regardless of the off-court turmoil, it is time to shift focus back to the hardwood. Setting the boardroom conflicts aside, here is a team-by-team outlook for the upcoming season in a competition that has delivered plenty of thrill and tension over the past two and a half decades—and remains a prestigious title to capture. One quick note: Dubai, Partizan, and Crvena Zvezda will be omitted here, as their in-depth breakdowns are covered in the EuroLeague season preview.

Looking beyond the headline favorites, the primary contenders to round out the top four are Budućnost and Cedevita Olimpija. Upon closer inspection, however, both powerhouses have experienced quieter transfer windows compared to previous years.

The Podgorica-based side kept a solid core that delivered last season. Yogi Ferrell is practically an icon in Montenegro's capital, flanked by the dependable Juwan Morgan and veteran sharpshooter Fletcher Magee. This roster boasts continuity and chemistry, which is a major advantage, while head coach Andrej Žakelj continues to earn praise for his tactical guidance.

In their quest to reclaim the regional crown, Budućnost will also rely on Panamanian national team guard Iverson Molinar, who impressed at Cluj. They have also brought in Marial Shayok, a South Sudanese wing with a wealth of experience across Turkey, Israel, China, and Japan. Center Stefan Đorđević and former Hapoel Jerusalem forward Justin Smith arrive to fortify the frontcourt.

All that looks promising on paper, but will it be enough to challenge the EuroLeague giants? It is hard to say—at first glance, the gap between the Belgrade powerhouses and the UAE outfit remains substantial. That divide is perhaps even more apparent with the Slovenian squad. Cedevita Olimpija lost DJ Stewart and largely brought in additions from the secondary tiers of Turkey (Anthony Cowan, Jase Johnson) and Poland (Noah Kirkwood).

To his credit, head coach Zvezdan Mitrović works wonders with the resources at his disposal. Jaka Blažič, even in the twilight of his career, remains a reliable contributor, while young prospect Urban Kroflič possesses immense upside. Cedevita Olimpija, much like Budućnost, have their own ambitions, but the overall talent disparity at the top of the Adriatic standings is undeniable and showing no signs of narrowing.

A tier below sit Igokea, Bosna, Spartak, and Cluj. Igokea are renowned for unearthing talent they can later monetize—keep an eye on Joel Armotrading, who arrives directly from the University of Nevada. Petar Kovačević from Bosna also represents a solid domestic addition.

Bosna underwent a whirlwind summer characterized by sweeping roster turnover. Virtually the entire squad from last season departed Sarajevo, along with head coach Muhamed Pašalić. Bosnia and Herzegovina national team coach Dario Gjergja has taken the reins, welcoming back familiar faces like Adin Vrabac and Darko Talić alongside a crop of solid mid-level American imports including Ryan Hawkins, PJ Pipes, and Marcus Domask. For Bosna, simply being back on stable ground at this level is the main objective; anything beyond that is a bonus.

Extensive changes also took place at Cluj, who were equally active in the transfer market. Long-time ABA followers will remember Otis Livingston from his stellar stint with Mladost Zemun; after four seasons across Germany, Turkey, and Spain, he returns to the Adriatic. Former Crvena Zvezda guard Javonte Smart could be poised for an explosive scoring campaign, while Uroš Plavšić is another ex-Zvezda center looking to carve out meaningful minutes.

Spartak Subotica face some early concerns after losing key figures like Stefan Momirov, Vojin Medarević, and Nikola Rebić. Matt Coleman, Alonzo Gaffney, and Jaylon Pipkins arrive as replacements, bolstered by seasoned ABA veterans Stefan Lazarević and Marko Jeremić. As reigning Serbian domestic champions, Spartak remain a well-drilled, stable outfit that should not be overlooked.

Moving down the table brings us into the league's more unpredictable territory. It will certainly be strange watching Zadar without Danijel Jusup, whose long and successful tenure concluded this summer. His successor, Stipe Modrić, inherits a revamped roster that appears modest on paper—they undoubtedly miss out on Rade Zagorac, whose signed deal fell through almost immediately for reasons that remain unclear.

SC Derby continue to field intriguing young lineups. Antonio Jordano, Aleksa Uskoković, and Ognjen Radošić are set for prominent roles, with Radošić in particular being one to watch. FMP have also reshuffled their deck with some fascinating American signings, led by dynamic scoring guard Jamaya Neal.

This season also marks the return of storied franchises to the top flight, none bigger than Cibona, who appear to have found some stability after years of uncertainty. Their roster looks far more competitive than during their recent lean years, featuring known quantities like Lovro Gnjidić, Lovro Mazalin, and Roko Badžim. Veteran big man Marjan Čakarun enters his second year with the Zagreb side, providing vital experience alongside Domagoj Vuković and Markus Lončar.

ABA 2 champions Široki Brijeg enter the season with survival as their clear priority. It will be an uphill battle, but veterans like Tayler Persons and Josip Bilinovac bring plenty of experience, alongside Ivan Karačić, Karlo Žganec, and Jure Zubac. Chavaughn Lewis, the all-time leading scorer at Marist University and a decade-long veteran of European basketball, will need to carry a heavy scoring load if they hope to secure another season in the top division.

Slovan Bratislava arrive as Adriatic newcomers with plenty of unknowns. Their roster is largely devoid of standard ABA experience, though the offseason signings of Zoran Nikolić and Mateo Drežnjak provide vital regional know-how. With Krka transfer Brady Skeens also on board, the rest of the squad features Slovakian and American players whose true impact will become clearer as the season unfolds.

Across the Danube in Vienna, BC Vienna feature plenty of familiar faces. The ABA return of veteran head coach Dragan Bajić is a welcome sight after his brief foray into administrative work. Nikola Jovanović, Aleksa Novaković, and Krešo Radovčić bring extensive regional pedigree, while newly installed head coach Gašper Okorn faces a rebuilding task with a revamped Ilirija squad.

In Čačak, basketball is a way of life, meaning Borac will once again be a formidable host. Serbian international Jovan Novak returns home from Poland to take the playmaking reins by the Morava River. The local fanbase should easily rally behind this predominantly domestic roster, whose only American imports are former Oklahoma State guard Anthony Roy—a player with a lethal shooting touch—and center Kahlil Spear, arriving from Israel. Their target is simple: survival first, everything else second.

Mega remain the easiest team to describe—a hub of young talent groomed for the pro ranks by head coach Vule Avdalović. Among the new wave, the Šuput brothers are names to watch. Among the older crop (where "older" at Mega simply means being in your twenties), keep an eye on BYU product Mihailo Bošković and Swiss prodigy Lukas Maniema, who is eager for regular playing time after limited minutes in the Canary Islands.

Finally, there is Krka. A dear late friend once dubbed me the "honorary ambassador of Novo Mesto in Belgrade" due to my enduring admiration for Krka’s mastery of the art of survival. Once again, they have rebuilt with unconventional imports—new center Galin Smith arrives having played in Sweden, Finland, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. And once again, we will hear about how great your starting guard is after putting up 45 points against Olympiacos.

But... can he do it on a cold, rainy night at ŠD Leon Štukelj? That is the essence of ABA basketball, and that is why we keep watching. Let the new season get underway—assuming the referees let us play...

VIDEO: Dubai crowned ABA League champions!