# Luka Dončić-backed Italian basketball club launch

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/luka-donibacked-italian-basketball-club-launch
> Updated: 2026-08-17T06:50:15.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3.

In late July 2026, NBA star Luka Dončić and former Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson announced the creation of BC Roma SPQR, a new Italian basketball team set to debut in Serie A and the EuroCup for the 2026–27 season. The club, which also features ownership from Lithuanian legend Rimantas Kaukenas and coach Valerio Bjankini, initially sought a head coach, with Dwane Casey identified as the leading candidate over others like Terry Stotts.

Shortly after, the club confirmed Casey’s appointment as head coach. SPQR Roma secured the Vanoli Cremona licence, cementing its place in the ULEB EuroCup. The roster plan included Latvian guard Artūrs Strautiņš and a multinational blend of players from Montenegro, France, and the United States.

In August 2026, the club expanded its technical leadership by appointing Sergio Scariolo as a Special Advisor for Basketball Strategy. The former Real Madrid and Spanish national team coach will provide consultative support for technical planning, youth development, and long-term sporting models. While Scariolo will advise on strategy, the club noted that daily first-team management remains the responsibility of the coaching staff. The project continues to pursue an internationally oriented model with long-term ambitions of joining a proposed NBA Europe competition.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-17: Sergio Scariolo joins Luka Doncic’s Roma SPQR as strategic advisor

Sergio Scariolo has joined Luka Doncic’s Roma SPQR as a Special Advisor for Basketball Strategy, focusing on long-term technical development and academy growth.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sergio-scariolo-joins-luka-doncics-roma-spqr-as-strategic-advisor

### 2026-07-26: Dwane Casey appointed head coach of new Italian club SPQR Roma

Dwane Casey, ex‑NBA Coach of the Year, will lead the new Italian team SPQR Roma, owned by Luka Dončić and Donnie Nelson, in the EuroCup, with Latvian guard Artūrs Strautiņš among its players.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dwane-casey-appointed-head-coach-of-new-italian-club-spqr-roma

### 2026-07-21: Luka Dončić's Rome club targets NBA veteran Dwane Casey as head coach

Luka Dončić and Donnie Nelson’s new Rome basketball club is scouting NBA veteran Dwane Casey as head coach ahead of its 2026‑27 Serie A debut.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/luka-donis-rome-club-targets-nba-veteran-dwane-casey-as-head-coach

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Cite as: Luka Dončić-backed Italian basketball club launch. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/luka-donibacked-italian-basketball-club-launch