Baloncesto León
Encyclopedia
Club Baloncesto León is a basketball team, based in León, Spain
. It plays in the basketball Second division, the LEB
.
on 20 May 1981.
It began to play in Tercera División, the fourth division of Spanish basketball
. In 1981, the team was promoted to Segunda División B. After four years playing in the third division, Baloncesto León was promoted to Segunda División, the second division.
for first time in its history.
Baloncesto León's years under Aranzana's leadership were the most successful in the history of the team. Both in the 1991-1992 and 1992-1993 seasons, Baloncesto León reached position six in ACB
.
In 1994 several things changed. The team changed the color of the t-shirt from yellow and green to red. Also, Xavi Fernandez transferred to FC Barcelona
. Finally, in 1997, Aranzana left the team.
.
After being coached by Roberto Herreras, Quino Salvo and Ángel Jareño, in 2005, Gustavo Aranzana was signed again as coach. In 2005-2006, Baloncesto León was, along with CAI Zaragoza, the highest ranking team in the LEB
regular season. In fact, Baloncesto León won the Regular Season. In the playoff, Baloncesto León easily defeated Palma Aqua Mágica and reached the semifinal round. Both final competitors of the semifinals get promoted. The rival was Bruesa GBC, 5th in regular season, which defeated Baloncesto León by 3-0. CAI Zaragoza did not get promoted.
In 2006-2007 the team reached the second position in the end of the Regular Season. For first time in several years the team got a private sponsorship, Climalia. In the playoff, Baloncesto León defeated again Palma Aqua Mágica, (3-2). In the semifinals, they played versus CAI Zaragoza. León won the round 3-2, so, along with Ricoh Manresa
got promoted to Liga ACB the 5/26/2007.
In the 2007-2008 season, León made a very poor season and they were relegated again to LEB Oro after winning only eight of their 34 matches. Their most surprising winning was in Vitoria, against Tau Cerámica
. After that season, León continues playing in the LEB League, where they reached the play-offs in the next two seasons with Javier de Grado as coach.
Essie Hollis Cornelius Thompson Tate Decker Óscar Yebra
Paolo Quinteros Amal McCaskill
J.R. Reid Byron Houston
1980-1984 Antonio Garrido 1984-1987 José Clavijo 1987-1988 Mariano Parra 1988-1989 Gustavo Aranzana 1989-1997 Eduard Torres 1997-1999 Jose Luis Oliete 1999-2000 Roberto Herreras 20002-2002 Quino Salvo 2002-2003 Angel Jareño 2003-2005 Gustavo Aranzana 2005-2008 Javier de Grado 2008-
León, Spain
León is the capital of the province of León in the autonomous community of Castile and León, situated in the northwest of Spain. Its city population of 136,985 makes it the largest municipality in the province, accounting for more than one quarter of the province's population...
. It plays in the basketball Second division, the LEB
Liga Española de Baloncesto
Liga Española de Baloncesto is the second league of the Spanish basketball league system behind the ACB. It is run by the FEB. The Liga Española de Baloncesto is divided into two categories and they are sponsored by Adecco. The names of the two leagues are Adecco Oro and Adecco Plata.The LEB league...
.
Roster
| Pos. | Starter | Bench | Bench |
|---|---|---|---|
| C Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
 J.T. Durley |
 Chris Mortellaro |
 Sergio Martínez |
| PF Power forward (basketball) Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low... |
Javi Múgica |
Lucho Fernández Lucho Fernández Lucho Fernández is a Spanish professional basketball player, who plays in Baloncesto León.-Career:* 1997–99 CB Galicia* 1999–00 CB Los Barrios* 2000–01 UB La Palma* 2001–04 Bilbao Basket* 2004–05 Gipuzkoa BC* 2005–06 CB Calpe... |
Javier Laborda |
| SF Small forward The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall... |
Julio González Julio González Julio González may refer to:* Julio César González , Mexican light-heavyweight boxer* Julio González , Cuban responsible for the 1990 Happy Land Fire... |
 Franco Rocchia |
Diego Azores |
| SG Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
 Manny Quezada |
Mario Díez |
Manu Mezo |
| PG Point guard Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that... |
Juanjo Bernabé |
Jorge Calvo |
Diego Pérez |
Early years (1981-1988)
Baloncesto León was founded by José Antonio Moirón García, Enrique Emperador Marcos, Juan Carlos Rodríguez Villanueva, Lisardo Mourelo González and Alberto Sobrín Martínez in LeónLeón, Spain
León is the capital of the province of León in the autonomous community of Castile and León, situated in the northwest of Spain. Its city population of 136,985 makes it the largest municipality in the province, accounting for more than one quarter of the province's population...
on 20 May 1981.
It began to play in Tercera División, the fourth division of Spanish basketball
Basketball in Spain
The Spanish league teams compete in Europe under ULEB most notably in the Euroleague and ULEB cup and under FIBA Europe, in other competitions.The Spanish teams also compete in a domestic cup competition each year, called the Copa del Rey de Baloncesto...
. In 1981, the team was promoted to Segunda División B. After four years playing in the third division, Baloncesto León was promoted to Segunda División, the second division.
Aranzana's first era (1989-1997)
In the middle of the 1988-1989 season, the coach Mariano Parra was sacked because Baloncesto León was in relegation posts. Then Baloncesto León signed Gustavo Aranzana, the coach of Cajapalencia, a team which was playing in Segunda División. Baloncesto León managed to leave relegation, and the next year, led by Xavi Fernández, was promoted to the ACBAsociación de Clubs de Baloncesto
The Liga ACB, known as the Liga Endesa for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Spain. It was founded in 1956 with the name of Liga Nacional. The league changed its name to the current one in 1983. The league is rated as one of the three "A" level European...
for first time in its history.
Baloncesto León's years under Aranzana's leadership were the most successful in the history of the team. Both in the 1991-1992 and 1992-1993 seasons, Baloncesto León reached position six in ACB
Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto
The Liga ACB, known as the Liga Endesa for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Spain. It was founded in 1956 with the name of Liga Nacional. The league changed its name to the current one in 1983. The league is rated as one of the three "A" level European...
.
In 1994 several things changed. The team changed the color of the t-shirt from yellow and green to red. Also, Xavi Fernandez transferred to FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
. Finally, in 1997, Aranzana left the team.
Decline and relegation (1997-2000)
In 1997, Edu Torres was hired as coach. He left the team after two years of failing to enter the playoffs. In 1999-2000, the team, coached by José Luis Oliete, was the last team in the classification, so Baloncesto León was relegated to LEBLiga Española de Baloncesto
Liga Española de Baloncesto is the second league of the Spanish basketball league system behind the ACB. It is run by the FEB. The Liga Española de Baloncesto is divided into two categories and they are sponsored by Adecco. The names of the two leagues are Adecco Oro and Adecco Plata.The LEB league...
.
LEB (since 2000) and Aranzana's second era (since 2005)
Since 2000, Baloncesto León has been playing in the second category of Spanish basketball. The team has come close to promotion on several occasions, but has not achieved it.After being coached by Roberto Herreras, Quino Salvo and Ángel Jareño, in 2005, Gustavo Aranzana was signed again as coach. In 2005-2006, Baloncesto León was, along with CAI Zaragoza, the highest ranking team in the LEB
Liga Española de Baloncesto
Liga Española de Baloncesto is the second league of the Spanish basketball league system behind the ACB. It is run by the FEB. The Liga Española de Baloncesto is divided into two categories and they are sponsored by Adecco. The names of the two leagues are Adecco Oro and Adecco Plata.The LEB league...
regular season. In fact, Baloncesto León won the Regular Season. In the playoff, Baloncesto León easily defeated Palma Aqua Mágica and reached the semifinal round. Both final competitors of the semifinals get promoted. The rival was Bruesa GBC, 5th in regular season, which defeated Baloncesto León by 3-0. CAI Zaragoza did not get promoted.
In 2006-2007 the team reached the second position in the end of the Regular Season. For first time in several years the team got a private sponsorship, Climalia. In the playoff, Baloncesto León defeated again Palma Aqua Mágica, (3-2). In the semifinals, they played versus CAI Zaragoza. León won the round 3-2, so, along with Ricoh Manresa
Basquet Manresa
Bàsquet Manresa, S.A.D., known as Assignia Manresa for sponsorship reasons, is a professional basketball team based in Manresa, Catalonia, Spain, playing in Liga ACB. The team was founded in 1931. They are currently playing their home games at the Pavelló Nou Congost...
got promoted to Liga ACB the 5/26/2007.
In the 2007-2008 season, León made a very poor season and they were relegated again to LEB Oro after winning only eight of their 34 matches. Their most surprising winning was in Vitoria, against Tau Cerámica
Saski Baskonia
Saski Baskonia, S.A.D., known as Caja Laboral for sponsorship reasons, is a Spanish professional basketball club from the Basque city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain...
. After that season, León continues playing in the LEB League, where they reached the play-offs in the next two seasons with Javier de Grado as coach.
Trophies
- Copa PríncipeCopa Príncipe de Asturias de BaloncestoThe Copa Príncipe de Asturias de Baloncesto is an annual cup competition for Spanish basketball teams organized by Spain's second professional league, Liga Española de Baloncesto. It was first played in 1987....
: (1)- 2007
- Copa Castilla y LeónCopa Castilla y León- II Copa Castilla y León 2003–04 :- III Copa Castilla y León 2004-05 :- IV Copa Castilla y León 2005-06 :* First round : Maderas Peralta Salamanca 117 - Autocid Ford Burgos 118: Matchmind Carrefour El Bulevar 107 - Hormigones Saldaña 116- V Copa Castilla y León 2006 :- VI Copa Castilla y León 2007...
: (1)- 2004
Notable players
Xavi Fernández José LasaJosé Lasa
José María Lasa is a former Spanish football player who played for 13 years in the Spanish first division , for various clubs.-Club :First-team debut with the Logroñes in the 1967-1968 season, passing in the post-Real Valladolid in Segunda División...
Essie Hollis Cornelius Thompson Tate Decker Óscar Yebra
Óscar Yebra
Óscar Yebra Fernández is a Spanish professional basketball player.He represented the Spanish national team at the 2004 Summer Olympics.-External links:* *...
Paolo Quinteros Amal McCaskill
Amal McCaskill
Amal Omari McCaskill is an American professional basketball player, at the center position. He currently plays for the KTP-Basket in the Finnish Basketball League....
J.R. Reid Byron Houston
Byron Houston
Byron Dwight Houston is an American former professional basketball player. A 6'5", 250-pound power forward, he played collegiately for Oklahoma State University and was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 1992 NBA Draft...
List of coaches
José EstradaJose Estrada
Jose Estrada may refer to:*Jose Estrada, Sr., Puerto Rican professional wrestler*Jose Estrada, Jr., his son, Puerto Rican professional wrestler*Jose Marcelo Ejercito, better known as Joseph Estrada, former President of the Philippines...
1980-1984 Antonio Garrido 1984-1987 José Clavijo 1987-1988 Mariano Parra 1988-1989 Gustavo Aranzana 1989-1997 Eduard Torres 1997-1999 Jose Luis Oliete 1999-2000 Roberto Herreras 20002-2002 Quino Salvo 2002-2003 Angel Jareño 2003-2005 Gustavo Aranzana 2005-2008 Javier de Grado 2008-