Saski Baskonia

Spain is a country that adores basketball, and a lot of this is down to the number of high-quality teams that can be found across the nation. One of the leading basketball teams in Spain, Saski Baskonia, was founded back in 1952, with the club being the basketball arm of Club Deportivo Vasconia. The team first played in the Spanish top-flight in 1971 and since the 1990s, the side has been one of the leading lights in Spanish basketball. The team has also made a large impact on the European basketball scene this millennium.

Sponsorship

The first major sponsor the club had was Caja Alava, a Spanish bank, but their longest running sponsor was Taulell, which is a ceramics manufacturer. In recent times, and with the club making a major impact on the European basketball scene, the side was sponsored by Caja Laboral, a Credit Union in Spain but this agreement ended in 2016.

The range of sponsorship that Saski Baskonia has received over the years is as follows:

• Caja Álava (1983–1987)
• Taugrés / TAU Cerámica (1987–2009)
• Caja Laboral / Laboral Kutxa (2009–2016)

Arena

Saski Baskonia play their home games at the Fernando Buesa Arena, and this has been the team’s home since 1991. The arena was formerly known as the Araba Arena, with the name change taking place in 2000. For basketball games, the arena has a capacity of over 15,000 people and in January 2016, 15,554 people watched a game between Saski and Real Madrid.

Domestic Trophies

Given the level of competition in Spanish basketball, and the magnitude of some of the team’s involved, it is no surprise to learn that Saski Baskonia have a modest level of domestic triumphs. However, all of these victories have been richly deserved and fought for, making them massive achievements in Spanish domestic basketball.

The side has been the Spanish league champions on three occasions, all achieved this millennium. The team’s first league triumph came in 2000/01, there was a second triumph in 2007/08 and the team’s most recent league title, to date, came in 2009/10.

Baskonia have tasted success in the Spanish Cup on six occasions. The team’s first win came back in 1995 and there was another win in 1999. The team’s most dominant period came in the opening decade of the new millennium, winning the Spanish Cup in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2009.

There have also been four Spanish Super Cup triumphs, with success coming in a four-year span of 2005, 2006, 2007 and in 2008. Baskonia have also won the Association Cup, clinching this in 1985 and in the 1971/72 season, Baskonia won the 2^nd Division title. Baskonia have also been triumphant in the Basque Cup, winning in 2011 and 2012.

European Experience

After coming very close in 1993/94 and 1994/95, when they were runners-up, Baskonia won the 1995/96 FIBA Saporta Cup. This was a triumph on home soil, giving local basketball fans the pleasure of seeing their team win European glory on home soil. Baskonia have also made an impact on the Euroleague, finishing runners-up in 2000/01 and again in 2004/05.

Saski Baskonia against NBA Teams

In October 2010, Baskonia made their way to the United States and played two games against NBA opponents. The games were played in Memphis, Tennessee and then in San Antonio, Texas.

• 14 October 2010 Memphis Grizzlies 110–105 Caja Laboral
• 16 October 2010 San Antonio Spurs 108–85 Caja Laboral

Notable Players

For a team that has been at the forefront of Spanish basketball for a couple of decades, it is no surprise to learn that that Saski Baskonia have a lot of notable players. The following players have all been classed as the MVP in the ACB: Kenny Green, Andrew Nocioni, Luis Scola (who received this accolade twice), Tiago Splitter, Fernando San Emeterio and Ioannis Bourousis. Elmer Bennett and Pete Mickeal are Baskonia players who have received the ACB Finals MVP.

José Calderón played with the side for three years before making his way to the NBA, where he has spent well over a decade, and in the spring of 2017, Calderón signed for the Atlanta Hawks.

Dejan Tomašević, Arvydas Macijauskas and Igor Rakočević have all featured in the Euroleague All-Stars line-up while playing for Saski, being joined by some of the players who have also represented the side in the ACB MVP list.

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