Kyiv Basket signs first off-season foreign player: 24-year-old American Cam Clardy

The capital's Kyiv Basket continues its active squad build-up for the 2026/27 basketball season. The silver medalist of the Superleague and the current holder of the Ukrainian Cup has officially completed its first foreign player transfer of the current off-season. The club's press office announced the contract signing, as reported by Sport RBC.UA.

First foreign player of the off-season

The 24-year-old American guard Cam Clardy is set to add competition in the backcourt of the Kyiv team. For the basketball player, signing a deal with the Ukrainian club marks his first professional contract in his career. Thus, Kyiv Basket has taken the first step in strengthening its foreign contingent, filling one of the key positions as part of its preparation for the new season.

Player profile and career path

Before joining Kyiv Basket, Clardy played in the US collegiate league (NCAA) for the UTEP Miners and the Sul Ross State Lobos. According to the press office, in the 2024/25 season the guard appeared in 27 games, averaging 14.37 points per game. These figures became the basis for the capital club's interest, viewing the American as a promising reinforcement for the backcourt.

Rebuild under Plekhanov's leadership

Signing the foreign player is the latest step in the team's rebuild under new head coach Valery Plekhanov, who took over the club in May. Earlier, the Kyiv side had already strengthened its roster with several Ukrainian players, including Ilya Kabyatser, Andrii Butko, Nazar Kholod, Danylo Pyrogov, Danylo Markov, and Maryan Rudyi. Clardy's integration into the squad complements the domestic reinforcements and forms the core of the updated team for the 2026/27 season.

Context: Ukrainian basketball in the 2026/27 season

Kyiv Basket's active work on the transfer market is taking place against the backdrop of a general rise in Ukrainian basketball. Recently, the Ukrainian national team made a leap in the FIBA rankings following high-profile wins in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. Under these conditions, the strengthening of the capital club, one of the flagships of the Superleague, is seen as an important element in the fight for domestic titles and a successful performance in European tournaments in the upcoming season.