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’re going to talk about basketball in the Netherlands.
Population: 17.4 mln
Players in the history of League: 3
Full list of players: Thomas van der Mars, Robert Krabbendam, Yannik Franke.
Robert Krabbendam was the first Dutch player in the history of VTB League. In 2010/11 season, the center played 4 games for Kalev averaging 6.5 points and 2.8 rebounds.
Today’s Dutch national team top scorer Yannik Franke played for Bisons at 19 years. In 2015/16 season, he had 6 games with an average of 15.7 points per game (Bisons’ top result for that season).
The latest Dutch player to appear in VTB League was Thomas van der Mars. Just like Krabbendam, he could be seen in Kalev jersey playing a role of center. In 2017/18 season, van der Mars’ record was 24 games, 7.8 points per game and 5.0 rebounds.
Basketball in the Netherlands
League: Dutch Basketball League (DBL)
Founded: 1960
Number of teams: 9
League’s web-site: https://www.dutchbasketballleague.nl/
26 clubs have appeared in the Dutch league within its 60-year history. As of today, DBL features 9 teams of 9 cities. The most experienced and honoured clubs are Heroes Den Bosch (53 seasons, 16 titles) and Donar Groningen (50 seasons, 7 titles).
Apart from DBL, the Dutch clubs take part in the Cup of the Netherlands, and the Supercup of the Netherlands. 52 teams took part in the last edition of the Cup.
DBL’s regular season is played in 4 stages (2 home and 2 away games, round robin) and top 8 teams proceed to the playoffs. Quarterfinals are played in best-of-three format, semifinals are best-of-five, and best-of-seven is used for the final.
During the last two seasons, the Netherlands had three teams in European competitions (country’s record): Donar Groningen played in BCL qualification, Leiden, Heroes Den Bosch (2018/19 season) and Landstede Hummers (2019/20 season) were in FIBA Europe Cup.
DBL has a restriction for non-Dutch players. The teams shall have at least 4 homegrown players of total 10 in team’s application and at least 5 homegrown players in 12-men team.
In 1971-2017, the Netherlands had its DBL All-Star Game which also featured Youth stars game (U24), slamdunk contest and three-point contest.
Upon the completion of DBL season, a number of individual prizes is awarded: Playoff MVP, Regular season MVP, Best progress, Best defensive player, Sixth man of the year, Rookie of the year, U23 MVP, Best stats, and Coach of the year. In 2014/15 ex-VTB League player Yannik Franke was awarded with Best progress and U23 MVP.
Interesting fact
In 2017 and 2018, the Netherlands reached 3×3 World Cup final, in 2019, Amsterdam hosted the event. A team called Amsterdam is ranked 9th in FIBA 3×3 rating.
The Netherlands National team
FIBA rank: 44
FIBA members: since 1946
Achievements: World Cup appearance (1986), 15 Eurobasket appearances
The Netherlands is one of the two teams (along with France) that took part in the first four editions of Eurobasket. Overall, the Oranje have 15 appearances.
Their best result is 4th place in 1983 when they reached the semifinal, but didn’t win a medal after losses to Italy (69:88) and USSR (70:105).
3 years later, the Netherlands made their first (and currently the only) World Cup appearance. Oranje lacked one win at group stage to continue. They were ranked 4th of 6 with 2 wins and 3 losses.
Within the last 30 years, the Netherlands have been to Eurobasket only once. In 2015, the team took 21st place with the record of 1-4. Today, the Dutch are ranked 44th by FIBA (23rd among European teams).
Most famous Dutch players in history
Rik Smits. 1988 NBA draft pick no. 2. He spent his entire career in Indiana Pacers (1988-2000). In 1998, the 224-cm-tall center became the first (and currently the only) Dutchman to take part in the NBA All-Star Game. Smits’ average NBA stats are 14.8 points and 6.1 rebounds.
Francisco Elson. The only Dutch player to win the NBA (2007, San Antonio). Elson played 9 seasons in the Association. Plus, he’s the champion of Spain (2001).
Swen Nater. The star center of the 70s, born in Den Helder, the first Dutchman to play in the NBA. Nater’s achievements include two NCAA titles, two ABA All-Star Game appearances, ABA’s Rookie of the year, and top rebounding player in 1979/80 NBA season (15.0 rebounds per game).
Dan Gadzuric. Born in Den Haag, he is alumnus of the prestigious UCLA university. In 2002, he was picked at the NBA draft (overall 34th pick). He played 10 seasons in the league (527 games) for Milwaukee, Golden State, New Jersey and New York,
Geert Hammink. Partner of Shaquille O’Neal in Louisiana State university (1989-1992) and Orlando Magic (1993-1996), with 3 seasons in the NBA (8 games). Hammink won the German league three times (1998-2000), German Cup two times (1999, 2004) and Greek Cup (2001), plus he took part in German league All-Star Game (2004).
Dmitriy Kolinov
