We are recalling all foreign players that have ever played in the League, telling about foreign championships and National teams of different countries in World basketball map project. Today we are moving to Slovakia.
Population: 5,5 mln
Players in the history of League: 3.
Full list of players: Martin Miklosik, Martin Rancik, Radoslav Rancik.
There are 3 Slovak players in the history of VTB United League, all of them have played for Nymburk. Martin Miklosik played there in 2011/12 season, Martin Rancik in 2013/14 season, and Radoslav Rancik since 2012 till 2015. Besides, Rancik played in VTB League in 2011/12 for Azovmash.
In 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons Rancik was top-10 League’s scorer. He spent 50 games in VTB United League averaging 13,5 points per.
Moreover, there are 2 American players with Slovak citizenship that played in the League, guard Andre Jones who has played for Vita in 2015/16 season, and also 3-point specialist Kyle Kuric who became Zenit’s top-scorer in 2017/18 season (16,4 points).
Basketball in Slovakia
League: Slovak Basketball League (SBL)
Founded: in 1993
Number of teams: 7
League’s web-site: https://www.basketliga.sk/sk/
Slovak championship was founded in 1993, in 2020/21 season there will be 7 different teams participating. The most popular team and acting champion of the League – Inter is from Bratislava, the capital.
Inter has 5 championships, the most titled club is Pezinok – 9 titles. Throughout the 17-year history of the SBL 9 different teams have become Slovak champions, 11 have played in Final.
Besides SBL Slovak teams participate in country’s cup, and Inter play in International competitions. In 2019/20 season Bratislava team played in first qualification round of Champions League and FIBA Europe Cup regular season.
There are some ex-VTB League players that have participated in Slovak championship. Center Ater Majok in 2012 came from Nitra to Tsmoki-Minsk, guard Tanel Kurbas in 2018 moved from Levice to Kalev, and Radoslav Rancik spent last three seasons of his career in Inter (in 2016 and 2017 he was SBL top scorer).
Interesting fact
Since 2019 Zielona Gora head coach Zan Tabak has been heading Slovakia National team. Under his coaching National team won 3 out of 6 games and went up by 2 spots in FIBA ranking.
Slovakia National team
FIBA rank: 66
FIBA members: since1993
Achievements: –
Slovakia National team became FIBA member in 1993, since then the team have spent 121 games and won in 42 of them (34,7%). The first official game was played on June 22, 1993 and it was a confident victory over Switzerland – 95:60.
The biggest win of Slovak team – 100:39 over Malta (September 7, 2005), the biggest loss – 73:114 against Belarus (August 16, 2013).
Slovakia have never participated in Eurobasket, since 2005 till 2011 the team has been playing in division B of Europe competition. In 2017 Slovakia participated in qualification round of World Cup for the first time, they had 1 win in 6 games on group stage – on August 9, 2017 Slovakia sensationally beat Sweden (68:59).
Today Slovakia National team is ranked 66th by FIBA, 36 among European teams.
The most famous Slovak players in the history
Richard Petruska. 46th pick of 1993 NBA Draft, the first Slovak to play in NBA. in 1994 Petruska became NBA champion with Houston Rockets. Since 1998 till 2000 the center has become Best basketball player in Slovakia.
Stanislav Kropilak. Silver medalist of Eurobasket 1985, 5-time Czechoslovakia champion, 5-time basketball player of the year in Czechoslovakia and 10-time player of the year in Slovakia. In 1991 Kropilak was included in top-50 FIBA greatest players, moreover he is recognised the best Slovak player in 20th century.
Radoslav Ranchik. 6-time champion and 3-time Czech MVP, and Slovak MVP and champion. Throughout his career Rancik became played of the year in Slovakia 10 times.
Anton Gavel. 5-time Germany champion, 4-time German All-Star, 3-time Germany Cup winner and German championship final MVP. Gavel is 4-time player of the year in Slovakia.
Martin Rancik. Slovakia and Italy champion, and 2-time Slovakia Cup winner. In 2001 and 2002 Martin Rancik was player of the year in Slovakia.
Dmitriy Kolinov
