Manresa bets on Ščuka to strengthen its interior game

The Kids&Us Manresa closes an agreement with Luka Ščuka to strengthen its interior rotation and seek a way out of a complicated start to the season. The Slovenian arrives after completing two seasons in Germany, where he gained experience in the Bundesliga and continental competitions. His addition responds to the team's need, led by Diego Ocampo, to improve performance after suffering six consecutive losses, including the most recent one against Kosner Baskonia with a score of 106-83. The Manresa club balances competition in the Liga Endesa with its participation in the EuroCup, which demands a wide and versatile rotation.

A versatile interior to expand tactical options

Ščuka is a mobile interior who can primarily act as a power forward, though he can offer occasional minutes closer to the basket. His profile fits well with Diego Ocampo's needs, who is looking to widen his defensive and offensive alternatives. The Slovenian player stands out for his ability to run the court, actively participate in rebounding, and threaten from the perimeter, qualities that enrich the team's tactical options.

His defensive mobility and positional versatility make him an interesting option for a team that requires deep rotations. The ability to play in transition and contribute to offensive rebounding are key aspects that Kids&Us Manresa values at this point in the season.

International career and elite competition experience

Born on May 23, 2002, in Slovenia, Luka Ščuka began his career at Nova Gorica before jumping to a higher level of basketball. In 2020, he joined Cedevita Olimpija, where he participated in the Adriatic League and the EuroCup, two reference competitions in Europe. During the 2022-23 season, he played for Mornar Bar in Montenegro before returning to Cedevita Olimpija for the 2023-24 campaign.

In the summer of 2024, Ščuka decided to take another step in his professional development and moved to Germany to join Basketball Löwen Braunschweig. This period allowed him to gain prominence in the German Bundesliga and compete in high-level continental competitions. His international experience is complemented by his participation in EuroBasket 2025 with the senior Slovenian national team, demonstrating his recognition at the continental level.

Additionally, during the summer of 2025, he was part of the New York Knicks roster in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, an experience that added value to his European profile and allowed him to compete against players at the highest global level.

Performance in the Bundesliga and the FIBA Europe Cup

In his last season with Basketball Löwen Braunschweig, Luka Ščuka recorded solid statistics in the German Bundesliga. He averaged 9.2 points, 6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 22.9 minutes per game. He played 20 league games, starting 14 of them, and had a 28.2% shooting accuracy from three-point range.

His performance was particularly notable in the FIBA Europe Cup, a competition in which he improved his offensive statistics. In five games played, he averaged 14 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks, with a remarkable 42.9% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. This improvement in three-point shooting percentage in continental competition suggests a good adaptation to more intense rhythms.

The standout game against Anwil Włocławek

One of Ščuka's most memorable performances in the 2025-26 season came on October 15, 2025, against Anwil Włocławek, when he reached 30 points. In that game, he showcased his offensive ability with a shooting performance of 11/14 from the field and 4/6 from three-point range, demonstrating efficiency both at the perimeter and in the paint. Such performance highlights his potential when he finds continuity and pace in the game.

Kids&Us Manresa's rotation after Ščuka's signing

With the addition of Luka Ščuka, Kids&Us Manresa completes a rotation that offers greater depth in the paint and more tactical options. The new structure of the roster is as follows:

Point guards and shooting guards: Benítez, Villar, Bassas, Notae, Beaufort, Kolenda, Fernández.

Small forwards and power forwards: Allen, Agbo, Tamba, Ščuka, Vila, Minchev, Pumarola.

Centers: Ongenda, Oriola, Enabulele.

This structure allows Diego Ocampo to have versatile alternatives in both offense and defense. The presence of Ščuka adds an offensive dimension on the perimeter that not all interiors in the Liga Endesa possess, something that can be decisive in close games where tactical versatility is required.

The signing of the Slovenian represents a commitment to improving performance in both the Liga Endesa and the EuroCup, two competitions where the Manresa team seeks to recover after a challenging start. His experience in continental competitions and his ability to play in different defensive systems make him a valuable option for the remainder of the season.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Manresa apuesta por Ščuka para reforzar su juego interior