Article by David Istrate – published on Sunday, May 18, 2025, 00:06 / Updated Sunday, May 18, 2025 00:17
Denis Bădălău (19 years old), Basketball player in the first League of Italy, at Trentowill continue his career in NCAA, at Rutgers Basketball. The young Romanian debuted in season 2024-2025 in seniors, after two years spent at the Academy of Olympia Milano.
Denis Bădălău decided that, starting with the season 2025-2026, to evolve over the ocean, in the American university basketball. Therefore, the player from Giurgiu accepted Rutgers Basketball's offer, although he also had an offer from the University of Virginia.
Denis Bădălău will play for Rutgers Basketball: “I want a team that wins”
In an interview with 247sports.com at the beginning of May, Stefano Meller, Bădălău's agent, stated that he is considering playing in the NCAA and that he received invitations from a few universities, which he will visit after the end of the season.
Also, the Romanian spoke about his game, about the qualities he has and about the characteristics of the place he is looking for.
“I am looking for a good environment to live in. I want a team in which teammates want to become better and learn. I want a team that wins. My goal is to get to NBA so I want to show my talent and be seen“, Declared the basketball player who, in February, debuted at the national senior team of Romania.
Even though the season did not end and Trento has just debuted in the playoff of the Italian basketball league, Bădălău decided on his future. According to several sites, both from Europe and abroad, it will evolve at Rutgers Basketball.
Located in Piscataway, New Jersey, Rutgers University was established in 1766, and the basketball team began playing 119 years ago, in 1906. The “Stacojii Knights” arrived at the end of the Four NCAA once in 1976.
Rutgers University is part of the Big Ten conference, in which bands such as Michigan State, Maryland, UCLA or Wisconsin plays.
Denis Bădălău/Photo: Instagram
A former scouter believes that Denis Bădălău has the potential of NBA: “I like everything with him”
Rutgers Scarlet Knights coach is Steve Pikiell, who will start the 10th season on the team's technical bench.
“I tried to find players to fit the style I want. I want to go back to a crazy defense all over the field. I think if we seek this athletic quality that will help us evolve to another rhythm in this league. On the offensive I ran a lot, but we did not defend ourselves on the whole field as I wanted, ”Pikiell said in March, after the end of the 2024-2025 season.
Jerry Carino from Asbury Park Press wrote that Jay Young, Rutgers Basketball's second coach, watched in Italy on Bădălău and was impressed by his versatility and intelligence.
According to 247sports.com, Michael Vandegarde, the former Scouter of Philadelphia 76ers, believes that Bădălău has the necessary tools to reach the NBA.
“I like everything to him. It has a physical game, it evolves with intensity. He plays at a faster and more intense level than other players“Vandegarde said.
2006-Born 🇷🇴 Denis Badalau (6-8, F, @Badallau ) In Trento's Win Over Napoli:
8 pts
3/5 fg
2/4 3pts
2 Reb
1 Ast
in 11 min.#Lbaseriea #scouting pic.twitter.com/3bazlxoqgt– Spel (@spel81) May 10, 2025
Denis Bădălău's course: Junior Road to Senior's debut
Bădălău started basketball in his hometown, after which he made the passage to Laguna Sharks, a club in Bucharest. Having a choice between going to U-BT Cluj-Napoca and going abroad, the Romanian junior preferred the second variant and reached Todi Basket.
After only one season, Bădălău was courted by the Academy of Olimpia Milano, where he developed a lot, becoming one of the leaders of the junior team, next to whom he had excellent results both nationally and internationally.
In the summer of 2024, Bădălău decided to take the step towards the seniors and accepted Trento's offer, a band that also evolves in Eurocup.
“Trento challenged me to become a more complete player. Here I learned to read the game better, to make quick decisions and to play in a system where every detail matters. I have evolved not only technically but also mentally. The staff from here gave me confidence, but also responsibility, and this helped me to grow a lot, “said Bădălău, for GSP.ro, about the first season spent in the northern Italian city.
On Saturday, May 17, Trento was defeated with 73-70 by Olimpia Milano, in the first match of the quarterfinals in La A. Bădălău played 8 minutes and obtained 3 recovery.
Two weeks ago, Denis Bădălău led Trento's U19 band to the final of the National Championship, where he was defeated by his former team, Olimpia Milan: 61-82.
The black and white leader was included among the 5 best players in the final tournament and was the best scorer of the competition.
Romania also has basketball players in NCAA, including Dragoș Lungu and Luca Colceag, who signed with Tennessee University in Martin.
