BK Liepāja

(Redirected from Liepājas Basketbols)

BK Liepāja is a professional basketball club in Liepāja, Latvia playing in the Latvian-Estonian Basketball League and Latvian Basketball League.

BK Liepāja
BK Liepāja logo
LeaguesLatvian–Estonian Basketball League
Latvian Basketball League
Founded1991; 33 years ago (1991)
HistoryLiepājas Metalurgs
Baltika/Kaija
BK Liepāja
Līvu alus/Liepāja
Liepājas Lauvas
Betsafe/Liepāja
BK Liepāja
ArenaLiepāja Olympic Center
Capacity2542
LocationLiepāja, Latvia
Team colorsDark blue, white and black
     
PresidentLatvia Āris Ozoliņš
Team managerLatvia Normunds Atvars
Head coachLatvia Artūrs Visockis-Rubenis
Websiteliepajasbasketbols.lv

History

Basketball team in the city of Liepāja was first founded in 1991, just after Latvia regained independence from Soviet Union. During the years team changed names, according to sponsorships. Previous team names were Liepājas Metalurgs, Baltika/Kaija, BK Liepāja, Līvu alus/Liepāja, Liepājas Lauvas, Liepāja/Triobet.

The club was dissolved in 2018 and was replaced by Liepājas Basketbols.[1] Team has a strong bond with the local basketball school.

Liepāja team's greatest achievement in Latvian Basketball League is gained second place in 1997, but in 2000, 2011 and 2012 team won the third place.

Since 2020, with the hiring of Latvian National team assistant and 2018 FIBA U18 European Championship silver medalist Artūrs Visockis-Rubenis as their head coach, BK Liepāja focuses on building teams around new talents.

In 2021/2022 season BK Liepāja made their international debut, competing in newly founded European North Basketball League. Liepāja won one of five games and finished the tournament at 5th place.

During the 2022/2023 season Liepāja won the bronze medal in Latvian league. Many players established themselves for the next level. After an excellent season with Liepāja, Kārlis Šiliņš signed in German Bundesliga. Renārs Birkāns signed with 10-time Latvian champion BK Ventspils.

Players

Current roster

BK Liepāja roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.Wt.Age
PG1 Ričards Vitoļskis1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)85 kg (187 lb) 22 – (2001-10-15)15 October 2001
SF2 Adrians Visockis-Rubenis1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)93 kg (205 lb) 19 – (2005-02-08)8 February 2005
SG3 Mārtiņš Kilups1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)83 kg (183 lb) 18 – (2006-03-10)10 March 2006
C5 Reinis Avotiņš2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)100 kg (220 lb) 26 – (1998-05-06)6 May 1998
PF7 Roberts Freimanis2.04 m (6 ft 8 in)96 kg (212 lb) 32 – (1991-07-03)3 July 1991
PG8 Emīls Krūmiņš1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)78 kg (172 lb) 22 – (2001-10-10)10 October 2001
C9 Viktors Iļjins2.12 m (6 ft 11 in)113 kg (249 lb) 32 – (1991-07-17)17 July 1991
SG10 Kristiāns Šulcs1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)92 kg (203 lb) 21 – (2002-09-26)26 September 2002
PG11 Gustavs Emīls Arājs1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)73 kg (161 lb) 18 – (2006-03-06)6 March 2006
C15 Klāvs Dubults2.04 m (6 ft 8 in)97 kg (214 lb) 27 – (1996-08-16)16 August 1996
SF16 Kristaps Soldatenoks1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)98 kg (216 lb) 18 – (2005-09-18)18 September 2005
C17 Henriks Bajārs2.13 m (7 ft 0 in)93 kg (205 lb) 22 – (2002-05-31)31 May 2002
SF22 Kristaps Miglinieks1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)90 kg (198 lb) 34 – (1990-01-22)22 January 1990
PF24 Francois Nkoy-Eale2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)96 kg (212 lb) 18 – (2005-09-08)8 September 2005
G27 Ojārs Bērziņš1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)92 kg (203 lb) 23 – (2001-01-26)26 January 2001
SF35 Kristaps Ķilps1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)89 kg (196 lb) 23 – (2001-03-20)20 March 2001
SG42 Edžus Brežinskis1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)80 kg (176 lb) 19 – (2005-01-21)21 January 2005
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Agris Steckis
  • Olafs Ozols
Physiotherapist(s)
  • Ance Zariņa

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured

Updated: November 24, 2023

Depth chart

Pos.Starting 5Bench 1Bench 2Reserve
CKlāvs DubultsViktors IļjinsHenriks Bajārs
PFRoberts FreimanisReinis AvotiņšFransuā Nkojs-Eale
SFKristaps MiglinieksKristiāns ŠulcsAdrians Visockis-RubenisKristaps Soldatenoks
SGKristaps ĶilpsOjārs Bērziņš
PGEmīls KrūmiņšRičards Vitoļskis

Season by season

SeasonLeaguePos.Baltic LeaguePos.Latvian-Estonian LeaguePos.
1991–92LBL8th
1992–93LBL8th
1993–94LBL11th
1994–95LBL9th
1995–96LBL7th
1996–97LBL2nd
1997–98LBL5th
1998–99LBL5th
1999–00LBL3rd
2000–01LBL4th
2001–02LBL7th
2002–03LBL4th
2003–04LBL5th
2004–05LBL5thChallenge Cup5th
2005–06LBL6thElite Division13th
2006–07LBL4th
2007–08LBL6thChallenge Cup4th
2008–09LBL6thChallenge Cup8th
2009–10LBL5thElite Division9th
2010–11LBL3rdElite Division12th
2011–12LBL3rdElite Division14th
2012–13LBL9thRegular season
2013–14LBL6thRound of 16
2014–15LBL4thRound of 16
2015–16LBL4thQuarterfinalist
2016–17LBL6thQuarterfinalist
2017–18LBL8thRegular season
2018–19LBL7thLatvian–Estonian Basketball League13th
2019–20LBL7thLatvian–Estonian Basketball Leaguecancelled
2020–21LBL3rdLatvian–Estonian Basketball League7th
2021–22LBL6thLatvian–Estonian Basketball League12th

Notable players

References

External links


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