Split's basketball players held their introductory meeting and first training session at Gripe. Coach Damir Rančić stated that the team's core is in place, but the roster will receive additional reinforcements.
Split's basketball team officially opened the new season on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Coach Damir Rančić, along with his coaching staff, held the introductory meeting, after which the Yellows immediately began training and forming a team that aims to be competitive in all competitions.
Rančić's staff includes Ante Marović, Andrija Stipanović, Zoran Donadić, Zoran Brzulja, Tonko Vlak, and Vlado Ivančev. During the first week of preparations, the team will train in the small hall of the Gripe Sports Center, and from Monday, the players return to the main court, where final work is underway on varnishing, painting, and installing new hoops.
Present at the first gathering were Lovre Runjić, Darko Bajo, Tonko Vuko, Vito Kučić, Noa Svoboda, Ivan Gulin, Roko Jemo, and Martin Salamunić, along with juniors Lovro Pjević and Vito Palavra. Trenton McLaughlin will join the team on August 22.
Split's coach made it clear that the current roster is not final. "Finally, we're starting; the core is here. In the coming period, the team will receive more reinforcements, and we're working intensively on that. I believe we'll put together a respectable team that will be competitive in all competitions this season," Rančić said for Narodno.hr.
The first real indicator of the work done will come in early September. Split will play their first games before the new season on September 5 and 6 at a tournament in Sinj, and a few days later, on September 11 and 12, the second Split Cup will be held at Gripe. At the tournament in Sinj, alongside the hosts, Poland's Anwil and Široki will participate, with the fourth participant yet to be confirmed.
For Split, a period now follows where results are not the priority. The key is to physically prepare the team, integrate the existing squad, and complete the roster. Rančić's message is clear: the core exists, but Split hasn't finished their work in the market.
