BC Juventus
| Juventus Utena | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Nickname | Juvė | ||
| Leagues |
Lithuanian Basketball League, FIBA Europe Cup | ||
| Founded | 1999 | ||
| History |
Juventus (1999–2004) Juventus LKSK (2004–2009) Juventus (2009–present) | ||
| Arena |
Utena's Arena (capacity: 2000) | ||
| Location | Utena, Lithuania | ||
| Team colors |
Red, white and black | ||
| President |
 Žydrūnas Urbonas | ||
| Head coach |
Antanas Sireika | ||
| Championships |
LKBL Champions (2005) RKL Champions (2007) BBL Challenge Cup (2011) | ||
| Website | utenosjuventus.lt | ||
| Uniforms | |||
| |||
BC Juventus (Lithuanian: Krepšinio Klubas Juventus) is a professional Lithuanian basketball club which currently plays in Lithuanian Basketball League and Baltic Basketball League. BC Juventus basketball club was founded in 1999–2000 season by football player Nerijus Kuzmickas and debuted in the Naujametinis Utenos rajono Mero taurės turnyras (Utena's new year's mayor's cup tournament), the debut season was successful and BC Juventus took bronze in that tournament. Word Juventus means youth. BC Juventus was called "Youth" (Juventus) because of the young, non-professional players in their debut season. In the 2009–2010 season, BC Juventus team debuted in the Lithuania basketball super league LKL and took fourth place as they lost bronze final to Šiauliai. On 15 April 2011, Juventus basketball club was transferred from Baltic Basketball League Challenge Cup to Elite Division.[1]
Players
Retired numbers
| Juventus Utena retired numbers | ||||
| No. | Player | Position | Tenure | Ceremony Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Žydrūnas Urbonas | SF, PF | 2009–2012 | 9/29/2012 |
Current roster
| BC Juventus roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depth Chart
| Pos. | Starter | Bench | Bench | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Edgaras Želionis | Arminas Urbutis | ||
| PF | Egidijus Dimša | Saulius Kulvietis | ||
| SF | Martynas Linkevicius | Chavaughn Lewis | ||
| SG | Spencer Butterfield | Edgaras Stanionis | ||
| PG | Rolandas Alijevas | Laurynas Samėnas | Ugnius Nikitinas | |
Season by season
| Season | Tier | League | Pos. | Significant Events | Baltic League | Pos. | LKF Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–04 | 3 | LKBL | 6 | – | – | – | – |
| 2004–05 | 3 | LKBL | 1 | Champions | – | – | – |
| 2005–06 | 3 | RKL | 3 | Bronze medal | – | – | – |
| 2006–07 | 3 | RKL | 1 | Promoted | – | – | – |
| 2007–08 | 2 | NKL | 4 | Semifinalist | – | – | – |
| 2008–09 | 2 | NKL | 4 | Semifinalist | – | – | Fourth round |
| 2009–10 | 1 | LKL | 4 | Semifinalist | Challenge Cup | 5 | First round |
| 2010–11 | 1 | LKL | 4 | Semifinalist | Challenge Cup | 1 | Second round |
| 2011–12 | 1 | LKL | 9 | – | Elite Division | 11 | Second round |
| 2012–13 | 1 | LKL | 7 | Quarterfinalist | Elite Division | 9 | Second round |
| 2013–14 | 1 | LKL | 7 | Quarterfinalist | Elite Division | 13 | Second round |
| 2014–15 | 1 | LKL | 3 | Bronze medal | Elite Division | 3 | Bronze medal |
Club history
2000–2007: foundation and participation in RKL
Juventus logo used from 2004 to 2009 seasons.
- Juventus basketball club was founded in 1999 and debuted in Naujametinis Utenos rajono Mero taurės turnyras (Utena's new year's mayor's cup tournament) and took third place. First team roster consisted of other sports players: football players and one handball player. First team captain, which also founded Juventus basketball team was football player Nerijus Kuzmickas (played in Kauno Inkaras team), now Šiauliai football academy, child and teenage coach. In the debut Juventus season also played: Egidijus Varnas (FK Ekranas), Tomas Keraitis, Tomas Karvelis and others.
- In 2003–2004 season, Juventus basketball team was coached by Rimvydas Vaitkus. Juventus debuted in Lithuania basketball B league and in their debut season, BC Juventus took sixth place.
- After year, in 2004–2005 season, Juventus basketball team was coached by Mindaugas Kildišius. Juventus basketball team first time in the club history won LKBL championship (same like RKL) and won right to participate in the LKAL championship (same like NKL). But because of various bureaucracy barriers, Juventus basketball team wasn't permitted to debut in the second-tier Lithuania basketball league.
- During 2005–2006 season, BC Juventus took third place in RKL tournament.
- After year, in 2006–2007 season Juventus basketball team won RKL championship once again and in transition match to the NKL championship, BC Juventus won against Kauno LKKA-Atletas basketball team. But this wasn't the end for Juventus in the 2006–2007 season as BC Juventus went until third Lithuania basketball federation (LKF) stage and only there, after two unremitting matches lost to Klaipėdos Neptūnas. Same year, team coach Mindaugas Kildišius, was named the best RKL championship coach.
2007–2009: NKL
Žydrūnas Urbonas joined Juventus in 2009 and later became president of the club.
- In 2007–2008 season Utena's basketball team debuted in the NKL championship and won regular season (25 wins and 7 loses), however in the final standings BC Juventus took only fourth place. In the end of 2007, Juventus guard Raimondas Ambrulaitis was named "Lithuania basketball discovery of the year", team coach Mindaugas Kildišius was named the best 2007–2008 NKL season coach.
- After year, in 2008–2009 season, Juventus basketball team won NKL regular season once again and participated in NKL championship semi-finals. In 2009, Juventus wasn't able to participate in the NKL finals, because of that team coach Mindaugas Kildišius retired from his position. Also because of that, Mindaugas Kildišius assistant Rolandas Urkis coached Juventus basketball team until the end of the season.[2] On 15 June 2009 LKF decided to let Juventus basketball team participate in the Lithuania super basketball league LKL because of the commercial principles.[3] For the permission to participate in the LKL, Juventus basketball team had to pay 350 thousand LTL.[4]
2009–present: LKL
- On 20 August 2009 Gintaras Kručkauskas became main Juventus basketball team coach.[5] The 2009–2010 LKL season was the most successful in the club history as Juventus basketball team took fourth place in the LKL championship.[6]
- On 7 July 2010 Robertas Giedraitis became main BC Juventus coach.[7]
.jpg)
BC Juventus, prior the 2014-15 season (LKL bronze medalists).
- During 2010–2011 season, BC Juventus first time in the club history became Baltic Basketball League Challenge Cup champions.[8] Also BC „Juventus" made a huge surprise as they eliminated 7-time LKL Bronze streaker Šiauliai in the first round of LKL playoffs (first game: 105:94,[9] second game: 91:81[10]). After eliminating Šiauliai in quarter-final, BC Juventus reached LKL semi finals and met Lithuania basketball powerhouse Žalgiris. On 27 April 2011 BC Juventus lost first game at Kaunas Sports Hall against Žalgiris with result 63–95,[11] the second match took place on 29 April 2011 in Utena. Juventus lost the second game too and had to fight for LKL Bronze against Rūdupis.[12] Juventus lost first Bronze game at Prienai with result 65–79,[13] the second game was unsuccessful for Juventus too as they lost it in their home arena in Utena with result 73–98.[14] The third game took place in Prienai, which Juventus team lost with result 83–84,[15] because of that they lost Bronze series 0–3 against Rūdupis and took fourth place in the LKL championship that season.
- In the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons, Juventus did not accomplish anything notable. After the 2011-2012 season, where Juventus missed the playoffs entirely, Robertas Giedraitis was fired as head coach. After Rytis Vaišvila was hired as head coach, Juventus made the playoffs in 2013, and fought valiantly against BC Lietuvos rytas, though losing the series 0-2.
- In the 2013-2014 season, Juventus replaced coach Vaišvila with former longtime Žalgiris player, coach and sports director Vitoldas Masalskis. Despite high hopes, the season started poorly, and coach Masalskis was replaced with Virginijus Sirvydis, former longtime player in the LKL. The move helped the team regroup and reach the playoffs, but lost to BC Prienai. The team also played in the BBL Elite division, but didn't make the playoff stage for two straight seasons.
.jpg)
Rashaun Broadus, the star of the team in the 2014–15 season.
- In 2014–15 LKL season the club reached new highs. Before the season, the well-known Rashaun Broadus was signed, and quickly became the leader of the team. The team took 5th place during the regular LKL season and in the quarterfinals they met the 4th seed BC Pieno žvaigždės. After the impressive series, Juventus overcome Pieno žvaigždės 3–2 and qualified into the LKL semifinals for the third time in club's history.[16] Despite having a regular season victory over BC Žalgiris, Juventus was no match for BC Žalgiris in the semifinals, losing the series 0:3. Though, Juventus shockingly defeated Euroleague participant Neptūnas 3:2 and won LKL bronze medals for the first time in club's history.[17] Rashaun Broadus led the team with 25 points and 10 assists in the crucial game. His comment following the game was: "We don't care what anybody thinks about us. We played hard every game. Everybody told us that we will be down 3–0 and now we won medals".[18] Juventus also finished 4th in the LKF Cup, as well as winning the bronze medals in the BBL, capping off the most successful season in club history.
- In 2015-2016 season Utenos Juventus was invited compete in ULEB Eurocup for the first time in the club history as LKL bronze medalists.[19] Though, they decided to choose the FIBA Europe Cup version instead.[20] By preparing for their debut in the first-ever European competition, BC Juventus signed with former Lithuania men's national basketball team head coach Antanas Sireika to replace the LKL bronze medals winning Dainius Adomaitis, who signed with Neptūnas Klaipėda.[21][22] Juventus qualified into the second stage of the FIBA Europe Cup by being the second-best team among teams which took third place in their groups.[23]
Club name changes
- 2000–2004 Utenos Juventus
- 2004–2009 Utenos Juventus LKSK (LKSK means: English: Lithuania military sports club, Lithuanian: Lietuvos kariuomenės sporto klubas)
- 2009–present Utenos Juventus
Head coaches
- Gintaras Kručkauskas (2009–2010)
- Robertas Giedraitis (2010-2012)
- Rytis Vaišvila (2012–2013)
- Vitoldas Masalskis (2013)
- Virginijus Sirvydis (2013–2014)
- Dainius Adomaitis (2014–2015)
- Antanas Sireika (2015–present)
Notable players
- Virginijus Praškevičius (2009–2010)
- Aurimas Kieža (2010–2011)
- Marius Prekevičius (2010–2011)
- Žydrūnas Urbonas (2009–2012)
- Nerijus Varnelis (2012–2013)
-
Ejike Ugboaja (2013) -
Jeremy Hazell (2013-2014) - Rashaun Broadus (2014–2015)
Mascot
From 2012 BC Juventus has its own mascot, named Juvis. Juvis is a red color devil, wearing the blue color sneakers and mostly carries the golden fork. The golden fork form reminds horseshoe, symbolizing the Utena city coat of arms.
Previous seasons rosters
Team roster of 2009–2010 season
| Nr. | Name, second name | Position | Height | Weight | Date of birth | Previous club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Gintautas Matulis |
3 Small Forward | 195 cm | 95 kg | 6 December 1986 | „Juventus" |
| 4 | Darius Pakamanis |
2 Shooting Guard | 192 cm | 80 kg | 8 September 1981 | „Šiauliai“ |
| 8 | Žydrūnas Urbonas |
3 Small Forward | 198 cm | 100 kg | 4 October 1976 | „Alytus“ |
| 7 | Audrius Mineikis |
4 Power Forward | 201 cm | 98 kg | 18 July 1977 | „Juventus" |
| 11 | Tomas Jasiulionis |
5 Center | 208 cm | 115 kg | 11 January 1986 | St. John's |
| 21 | Paulius Morkeliūnas |
4 Power Forward | 201 cm | 105 kg | 22 January 1985 | „Neptūnas“ |
| 22 | Arūnas Vasiliauskas |
4 Power Forward | 200 cm | 105 kg | 22 March 1985 | „Aisčiai“ |
| 31 | Jonas Elvikis |
3 Small Forward | 195 cm | 92 kg | 9 July 1982 |  „Sumychimprom“ |
| 14 | Šarūnas Vėlius |
4 Power Forward | 207 cm | 102 kg | 11 June 1983 | „Kaunas TRIOBET“ |
| 5 |  Nikoloz Vashakidze |
1 Point Guard | 192 cm | 88 kg | 14 June 1985 | „Abro Universitetas“ |
| 15 | Virginijus Praškevičius |
5 Center | 206 cm | 112 kg | 4 March 1974 | „Šiauliai“ |
| 13 | Tomas Gaidamavičius |
1 Point Guard | 192 cm | 86 kg | 19 July 1982 | „Synthesia“ |
- Coaches
- Gintaras Kručkauskas
- Žydrūnas Urbonas
- Players which left „Juventus" during the season
- Žilvinas Kuklierius
-
Mohamed Seck
Team roster of 2010–2011 season
| Nr. | Name, Second Name | Position | Height | Weight | Date of birth | Previous club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Žygimantas Šeštokas |
2 Shooting Guard | 196 cm | 88 kg | 30 March 1986 | „Meresta“ |
| 5 | Gediminas Maceina |
1 Point Guard | 188 cm | 88 kg | 28 August 1984 | „Techasas“ |
| 8 | Žydrūnas Urbonas |
3, 4 Small Forward, Power Forward | 198 cm | 100 kg | 4 October 1976 | „Juventus" |
| 9 | Marius Pociukonis |
1, 2 Point Guard, Shooting Guard | 189 cm | 80 kg | 1 April 1982 |  „Mureš“ |
| 10 | Gintautas Matulis |
2, 3 Shooting Guard, Small Forward | 195 cm | 95 kg | 6 December 1986 | „Juventus" |
| 11 | Vaidas Čepukaitis |
4, 5 Power Forward, Center | 207 cm | 104 kg | 16 May 1989 | „Žalgiris-Sabonio mokykla“ |
| 12 | Tomas Markevičius |
3 Small Forward | 192 cm | 86 kg | 29 June 1985 | „Juventus KKSC“ |
| 14 | Aurimas Adomaitis |
4, 5 Power Forward, Center | 203 cm | 96 kg | 5 April 1987 | „Alytus“ |
| 17 | Jonas Elvikis |
2, 3 Shooting Guard, Small Forward | 195 cm | 92 kg | 9 July 1982 | „Juventus" |
| 22 | Arūnas Vasiliauskas |
3, 4 Small Forward, Power Forward | 200 cm | 105 kg | 22 March 1985 | „Juventus" |
| 24 | Marius Prekevičius |
1, 2 Point Guard Shooting Guard | 195 cm | 90 kg | 22 May 1984 | „Šiauliai“ |
| 25 | Aurimas Kieža |
3, 4 Small Forward, Power Forward | 203 cm | 97 kg | 25 October 1982 |  „Pallacanestro“ |
- Coaches
- Players which left „Juventus" during the season
- Ignas Šijanas (until 2010.11.16)
- Tomas Jasiulionis (until 2010.11.19)
- Juozas Ramanauskas (until 2010.11.19)
Team roster of 2011–2012 season
| Nr. | Name, Second Name | Position | Height | Weight | Date of birth | Previous club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Aras Bražiūnas |
1 Point Guard | 190 cm | 75 kg | 16 January 1994 | „Juventus-KKSC" |
| 5 | Gediminas Maceina |
1 Point Guard | 188 cm | 83 kg | 28 August 1984 | „Techasas" |
| 8 | Žydrūnas Urbonas |
3, 4 Small Forward, Power Forward | 198 cm | 100 kg | 4 October 1976 | „Juventus" |
| 9 | Tomas Gaidamavičius |
1 Point Guard | 191 cm | 86 kg | 19 July 1982 |  „Apollon" |
| 10 | Gintautas Matulis |
2, 3 Shooting Guard, Small Forward | 195 cm | 95 kg | 6 December 1986 | „Juventus" |
| 11 | Roman Gumenyuk |
5 Center | 220 cm | 120 kg | 19 September 1987 | „Šiauliai“ |
| 12 | Mantas Vilimas |
3 Small Forward | 198 cm | 90 kg | 11 July 1989 | „VPU-Šviesa“ |
| 13 | Darius Pakamanis |
2 Small Forward | 192 cm | 88 kg | 8 September 1981 | „Melilla“ |
| 15 | Karolis Petrukonis |
5 Center | 212 cm | 115 kg | 18 May 1987 | „Lietuvos rytas“ |
| 22 | Arūnas Vasiliauskas |
3 Small Forward | 200 cm | 100 kg | 22 March 1985 | „Aisčiai“ |
| 30 | Žygimantas Šeštokas |
2 Shooting Guard | 196 cm | 88 kg | 30 March 1986 | „Meresta“ |
| 33 | Vaidotas Volkus |
4 Power Forward | 203 cm | 95 kg | 21 May 1985 | „Techasas“ |
- Coaches
References
- ↑ Grellet, Jared. "Juventus and KK Kaunas bolster Lithuanian ranks in Elite Division.". BBL.net. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ↑ NKL. NKLyga.lt (20 April 2009). Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
- ↑ "LKL nutarė į savo gretas priimti „Rūdupį“ ir „Juventus-LSKL“". Kauno.Diena.lt. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ↑ ''LKL.lt''. Lkl.lt. Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
- ↑ "G.Kručkauskas tapo "Juventus LKSK" vyriausiuoju treneriu". Krepsinis.net. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ↑ "Uteniškiai įveikė Prienų klubą ir LKL reguliariajame sezone užėmė 4-ąją vietą". Sportas.ATN.lt. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ↑ ""Juventus" klubo treneriu oficialiai tapo R.Giedraitis". Krepsinis.net. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ↑ ""Juventus" iškovojo BBL Iššūkio taurę (triumfo VIDEO)". Krepsinis.net. Archived from the original on 22 March 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ↑ "„Juventus“ pirmą kartą klubo istorijoje įveikė „Šiaulius“ ir LKL ketvirtfinalio serijoje išsiveržė į priekį". 15min.lt. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ↑ "Staigmena: „Juventus“ nutraukė bronzinę „Šiaulių“ seriją LKL čempionate". 15min.lt. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ↑ "„Žalgiris“ LKL pusfinalį pradėjo sutriuškindamas „Juventus“ (video, komentarai, foto, statistika)". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ↑ "„Žalgiris“ be vargo pateko į LKL finalą (komentaras, foto, statistika)". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ↑ Miklovas, Jonas. "Pirmąjį mūšį dėl bronzos laimėjo „Rūdupis“ (video, foto, komentarai, statistika)". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ↑ Pupininkas, Martynas. "LKL mažasis finalas: „Rūdupis“ sudavė dar vieną smūgį „Juventus“ ekipai (video, komentarai, statistika)". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ↑ Miklovas, Jonas. "LKL bronza pirmą kartą istorijoje atiteko „Rūdupiui“ (video, foto, komentarai, statistika)". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ↑ "„Juventus“ dramatiškai žengė į LKL pusfinalį (3 video, foto, komentarai, statistika)". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
- ↑ "„Neptūnas“ liko be medalių – pirmą kartą istorijoje LKL bronzą iškovojo „Juventus“". Delfi.lt. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- ↑ Vyšniauskas, Rytis. "Broadusas: „Visi sakė, kad seriją pralaimėsime 0-3, o dabar grįžtame su bronzos medaliais“ (video)". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- ↑ "Proposed team list for the 2015-16 Turkish Airlines Euroleague and Eurocup". EuroleagueBasketball.net. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- ↑ "Utenos „Juventus“ renkasi FIBA Europos taurės turnyrą". Delfi.lt. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
- ↑ "Antanas Sireika vadovaus Utenos „Juventus“". 24sek.lt. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ↑ Spurytė, Virginija. "Oficialu: D. Adomaitis kovoje dėl „Neptūno“ vairo nurungė K. Kemzūrą ir V. Chomičių". Delfi.lt. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ↑ "Utenos „Juventus“ taip pat pateko į kitą FIBA Europos taurės etapą". TV3.lt. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to BC Juventus. |
- Official website of BC Juventus (Lithuanian)
- Official BC Juventus Facebook group (Lithuanian)
- BC Juventus YouTube channel
- BC Juventus LKL.lt (Lithuanian)
- BC Juventus BBL.lt (English)
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