2026-27 Men's Basketball Roster
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Jersey Number 22
Dorin Buca
- Position:
- Center
- Height:
- 7-2
- Weight:
- 286
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Perugia, Italy
- High School:
- Akern Libertas Livorno
Dorin Buca (DOOR-reen BOO-cah) joins Rutgers after spending the 2025-26 season at Kansas State, bringing one of the most imposing frames in program history along with collegiate, international, and professional experience. A 7-foot-2, 237-pound junior, Buca was born in Galati, Romania, and holds dual citizenship in Romania and Italy, having developed through Italian professional ranks before arriving in the Big 12.
2025-26 Season at Kansas State
- Played in 27 games with four starts, missing four of the last five games after suffering an injury at No. 13/13 Texas Tech (2/21/26)
- Logged 346 total minutes, averaging 12.8 minutes per game
- Averaged 3.2 points on 50.7 percent (34-of-67) shooting, including 18.2 percent (2-of-11) from three-point range, with 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game
- Shot 53.3 percent (16-of-30) from the free-throw line
- Led the team with 35 blocks, recording at least one in 20 of 27 games played
- Scored in 20 of 27 games, including 8-point outings vs. South Dakota (12/20/25) and ULM (12/28/25)
- Was fifth on the team with 89 rebounds, including the third-most offensive boards (39)
- Dished out 14 assists on the season, with a season-high 3 vs. No. 10/10 BYU (1/3/26)
- Recorded 5 steals, with at least one coming in 5 games
- Played in 15 of 18 Big 12 games with 4 starts, averaging 3.1 points on 50 percent (21-of-42) shooting, including 25 percent (2-of-8) from three-point range and 30 percent (3-of-10) from the free-throw line, with 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 14.3 minutes per game in conference play
- Scored in 10 Big 12 games, with a season-high 12 points at No. 1/1 Arizona (1/7/26)
- Coached by Jerome Tang and Matthew Driscoll
Notable Performances
- Played a season-high 26 minutes vs. No. 19/19 Kansas (1/24/26)
- Posted a season-high 12 points at No. 1/1 Arizona (1/7/26), shooting 5-of-7 from the field, including 2-of-2 from three-point range
- Recorded 8 rebounds at Arizona State (1/10/26)
- Grabbed 5 or more rebounds in 7 games, including a season-high 11 vs. No. 19/19 Kansas (1/24/26)
- Posted a season-high 5 blocks vs. Mississippi Valley (12/8/25)
2024-25 Season at Akern Libertas Livorno
- Played in 43 games with Akern Libertas Livorno in 2024-25, helping the club post a 16-27 record in Italy's Serie A2, the second tier of professional basketball in Italy
- One of three players to appear in all 43 games, averaging 5.6 points on 60.8 percent (101-of-166) shooting with 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 16.7 minutes per game
- Led the team in blocks per game (1.2), was second in field-goal percentage (60.8), third in rebounding (5.3 rpg) and fourth in field goals made (101)
- Scored in 38 games, with a season-high 15 points vs. Piacenza (3/8/25) on 6-of-10 shooting
- Coached by Gennaro Di Carlo
Notable Performances
- Recorded double-figure scoring in six other games, including 14 points in back-to-back outings vs. Forlì (1/26/25) and Orzinuovi (1/29/25)
- Posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds vs. Cento (3/23/25)
- Narrowly missed a second double-double with 9 points and 12 rebounds vs. Nardò (4/6/25)
- Grabbed double-digit rebounds in 4 games, including a season-high 12 vs. Cento (3/23/25) and Nardò (4/6/25)
- Recorded 2 or more blocks in 14 games, including a season-high 5 vs. Piacenza (12/22/24)
- Registered 3 or more blocks in 7 games
2023-24 Season at Libertas 1947 Livorno
- Played in 43 games with Libertas 1947 Livorno in 2023-24, helping the club post a 37-11 record in Italy's Serie B, the third tier of professional basketball in Italy
- The team took third place in Serie B Nazionale with a 10-4 record in Group A2 of Stage One, then finished second with a 27-7 record in Group A of Stage Two, falling to Montecatini Terme Valdinievole, 74-62, in the Serie B Cup Finals
- Played in 43 of 47 games, averaging 3.3 points on 56.6 percent (60-of-106) shooting with 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 10.8 minutes per game
- Scored in 32 games, with a season-high 14 points vs. Brianza Casa (11/4/23) on 6-of-8 shooting
Notable Performances
- Posted double figures with 10 points vs. Roseto (6/9/24) on 5-of-6 shooting
- Recorded a double-double with a season-high 11 rebounds and 14 points vs. Brianza Casa (11/4/23)
- Grabbed 5 or more rebounds in 9 additional games
- Recorded 2 or more blocks in 13 games, including a season-high 4 vs. Sant'Antimo (4/9/24)
Personal
- Dorin Buca was born Aug. 23, 2002, in Gala?i, Romania
- His mother is Aneta Buca
- Holds dual citizenship in Romania and Italy
- His favorite Nike shoe is the Book 1
- His preferred walk-up song is "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson
Coach Pikiell Remarks "We're excited to welcome Dorin and his family to Rutgers," said Pikiell. "He gives us tremendous size, length, and shot-blocking ability, while also bringing experience from both the Big 12 and professional basketball in Italy. Dorin has continued to develop at every stage of his career, and we believe his best basketball is still ahead of him."
Wednesday, July 01
Wednesday, May 06
Monday, March 16
Friday, March 13
