Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys
Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys logo
LeaguesLithuanian Basketball League
Founded1999
ArenaPieno žvaigždės Arena
Capacity1,200
LocationPasvalys, Lithuania
Team colorsNavy, Yellow, White
     
PresidentRimantas Endrijaitis
General managerArūnas Burkevičius
Head coachAurimas Jasilionis
Championships1 LKAL
1 NKL
1 BBL
Websitewww.bcpienozvaigzdes.lt

BC Pieno žvaigždės (Lithuanian: Krepšinio klubas Pieno žvaigždės) is a professional basketball club from Pasvalys, Lithuania which currently plays in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL). The club name comes from the main sponsor Pieno žvaigždės.

History

Founded in 1999, the club played its inaugural season in the now-defunct fourth-tier Lithuanian Basketball C League (LKCL). In 2001, the club gained the right to play in the third division LKBL. In 2003, the club debuted in the LKAL league and took fourth place (regular season: 19–15). The 2003–2004 LKAL season was more successful for Pieno žvaigždės as they won the regular season (regular season: 39–13). During the 2006–2007 season, Pieno žvaigždės played in the new second Lithuania basketball league, NKL, and took fifth place (regular season: 22-22). In their second NKL season, BC Pieno žvaigždės took only eight place (regular season: 17–15). The 2008–2009 season was more successful and Pieno žvaigždės took sixth place (regular season: 23–13). The 2009–2010 NKL season was one of the most successful in the club history as BC Pieno žvaigždės took third place in NKL (regular season: 21–9).

Derrick Caracter, one of the team's leaders in the 2013–14 season.
Since 2011 Pieno žvaigždės plays in the newly built arena.

However this was not the end, as BC Pieno žvaigždės ended their 2010–2011 NKL regular season with 41:1 win/lose ratio (lost to Meresta Pakruojis by 1 point). On 16/17 April 2011, BC Pieno žvaigždės participated in NKL final four and became NKL champions.[1] Also they got their chance to enter Lithuania super basketball league LKL, because of that, Pieno žvaigždės played three transition matches against Naglis (loser goes to NKL and the winner is automatically transferred to Lithuania super basketball league LKL). On 26 April 2011, Pieno žvaigždės lost their first transition match against Naglis in Palanga.[2] On 29 April 2011 however, Pieno žvaigždės won the second game of the transition series in Pasvalys.[3] The perfect BC "Pieno žvaigždės" season finished very unsuccessfully as they lost the third transition series game against Naglis by only one point with result 68:69.[4] Because of that, Pieno žvaigždės had to stay in NKL.

On 14 July 2011, Pieno žvaigždės merged with LKL participant Perlas, so they participated in premier Lithuania basketball league LKL. The main team coach was former Perlas coach Roberts Štelmahers.[5] Pieno Žvaigždės debuted in the LKL league on 7 October 2011 against Techasas, they won the match with result 84:56.[6]

In 2011–2012 season Pieno žvaigždės participated in LKF Cup tournament. They eliminated Šiauliai in last round of playoffs and advanced to final four, which took place in Kaunas.[7] The semi-final was against Rūdupis, which, after very tight game Pieno žvaigždės won with result 68:67.[8]

However, the team was no match for Žalgiris Kaunas, losing 62:99. Over the next two seasons, the team played solidly in both the LKL and BBL competitions, reaching the quarterfinals each time, also reaching the LKF Cup finals in 2013, though losing to BC Prienai.

In the 2014–15 LKL season, Pieno žvaigždės were just one step away from defeating Juventus in the quarter-finals, losing the fifth series game by 8 points.[9] Juventus later played in the LKL bronze final and surprisingly defeated Euroleague participant BC Neptūnas there.[10]

On 29 July 2015 the club was invited to join the 2015–16 FIBA Europe Cup tournament, which is the alternative version of the 2nd tier European tournament ULEB Eurocup, organized by FIBA.[11] University of Florida standout Dennis Mavin and Khimik star Ramone Moore strengthened the team roster in the summer of 2015.[12][13] The team advanced into the second stage of the FIBA Europe Cup by clinching the second place in the group and surprisingly leaving the last season's Polish champions and Euroleague participants Turów Zgorzelec shocked.[14] They were eliminated in the second stage, with KK Cibona and Energia Târgu Jiu advancing. BC Pieno žvaigždės once again reached the quarterfinal stage in the LKL, but lost to BC Žalgiris.

In the 2016–2017 season, Pieno žvaigždės reached the Baltic Basketball League finals for the first time in club history, after being the best team in regular season. They defeated BK Ogre/Kumho Tyres in the first round of the playoffs, Liepāja Triobet in the quarterfinals, and BC Tartu in the semifinals, before losing to BC Vytautas in the finals. In the LKL, Pieno žvaigždės once again lost in the quarterfinals, this time to BC Lietuvos rytas. The leaders and stars of the team during the 2016 and 2017 seasons were Derrick Low and Steponas Babrauskas.

In the 2017–2018 season, Rimantas Grigas, who coached the team in the 2013–2014 season, returned as coach. Pieno žvaigždės resigned Steponas Babrauskas and signed Vyacheslav Bobrov, who quickly became the team leader. While Pieno žvaigždės remained undefeated in the BBL and had a solid 5–7 record (5th place) in the LKL, coach Grigas was shockingly replaced as head coach by Gediminas Petrauskas. Along with Petrauskas, Pieno žvaigždės signed former club players Osvaldas Olisevičius and Trévon Hughes to return to the team, and also signed solid players like center Lis Shoshi and guard Jahenns Manigat to help the team. In the BBL, Pieno žvaigždės dominated, losing only one game in the regular season and finishing with an 11–1 record. Rival and BBL champion BC Vytautas shockingly left the competition during the season. In the BBL playoffs, Pieno žvaigždės beat KK Pärnu in the quarterfinals 174:150 (96:66 and 78:84) on aggregate in the quarterfinals, and BC Šiauliai 159:148 (91:84 and 68:64) on aggergrate in the semifinals. In the finals, facing BK Jūrmala, Pieno žvaigždės was the heavy favorite, and proved it by winning in dominating fashion, 174:148 (98:80 and 76:68) on aggregate, winning the BBL championship. Manigat was the finals MVP. Pieno žvaigždės recovered in the LKL, and by the end of the regular season, finished in 6th place. They faced BC Neptūnas, one of the top teams in Lithuania for the past years, and gave a good fight, losing the series 1:3.

Petrauskas remained as head coach for the 2018–2019 season. For the first half of the season, Pieno žvaigždės played a largely unspectacular basketball, led by Emmanuel Omogbo. By December, changes were made. Many players were released, with Yannick Franke, Jay Threatt and the returning Žygimantas Skučas being signed to improve the team. Omogbo was released. Pieno žvaigždės went on an amazing run during December–March, winning 12 of the next 15 games in the LKL, and climbing up to 4th place in the standings, with a 16–11 record. However, the good news ended there - Pieno žvaigzdės lost the next 9 games in a row, falling to 5th place and ending the regular season with a 16–20 record. In the playoffs, Pieno žvaigždės were eliminated by cross-town rival BC Lietkabelis, swept in two games.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019–2020 season ended early. Pieno žvaigždės finished in 7th place in the LKL. The team was led by John Gillon, Miha Lapornik and Paulius Petrilevičius. In the King Mindaugas Cup, for the third season in a row, Pieno žvaigždės were eliminated by BC Lietkabelis. The 2020–2021 season was the last for Pieno žvaigždės under coach Petrauskas. Tomas Lekūnas, Petrilevčius and Edgaras Želionis lead the team in scoring. Pieno žvaigždės made the LKL playoffs, but were swept by BC Žalgiris, finishing in 8th place.

Before the 2021–2022 season, during the summer, coach Petrauskas left the team, and was replaced by the returning Mantas Šernius, the LKL Coach of the Year of the previous season. The season was marked by constant roster changes, and despite solid play by late season additions Randy Culpepper and Markell Johnson, as well as Žygimantas Skučas and Arnas Beručka, Pieno žvaigždės missed the LKL playoffs for the first time in club history. The 9th-place finish was the worst in club history in the LKL.

Team

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

BC Pieno žvaigždės roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.Wt.Age
PG 1 United States Watson, Jordan 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) 84 kg (185 lb) 28 – (1995-08-15)15 August 1995
SG 2 United States Tabb, Brandon 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 89 kg (196 lb) 27 – (1996-12-25)25 December 1996
PG 7 Lithuania Sidarevičius, Adomas 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) 85 kg (187 lb) 22 – (2001-06-24)24 June 2001
SG 11 Lithuania Šimonis, Adas 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) 89 kg (196 lb) 22 – (2001-05-22)22 May 2001
F 12 United States Baker, Joey 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 23 – (2000-09-13)13 September 2000
SF 13 Lithuania Jarumbauskas, Simas 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 93 kg (205 lb) 23 – (2000-07-01)1 July 2000
F/C 14 Lithuania Valantinas, Lukas 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) 104 kg (229 lb) 25 – (1998-07-17)17 July 1998
G 15 Latvia Ate, Artis 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 87 kg (192 lb) 34 – (1989-07-29)29 July 1989
C 25 United States Johnson, Deante 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 21 – (2002-06-02)2 June 2002
F/C 44 United States Jack, Kadeem 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 107 kg (236 lb) 31 – (1992-10-27)27 October 1992
G/F 55 Lithuania Arlauskas, Martynas 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) 93 kg (205 lb) 23 – (2000-07-10)10 July 2000
Head coach
  • Lithuania Aurimas Jasilionis
Assistant coach(es)
Athletic trainer(s)
  • Lithuania Laimonas Baranskas
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured Injured
Updated: 18 September 2023

Depth chart

Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2
C Kadeem Jack Deante Johnson Lukas Valantinas
PF Simas Jarumbauskas Joey Baker
SF Martynas Arlauskas Artis Ate
SG Brandon Tabb Adas Šimonis
PG Jordan Watson Adomas Sidarevičius

Squad changes for/during 2023–24 season

In

No.Pos.Nat.NameMoving from
HCLithuaniaAurimas JasilionisBC WolvesLithuania
ACLithuaniaSteponas BabrauskasFree agent
15SGLatviaArtis AteVEF RīgaLatvia
13G/FLithuaniaSimas JarumbauskasMelilla BaloncestoSpain
1PGUnited StatesJordan WatsonKK ZlatiborSerbia
2SGUnited StatesBrandon TabbNorrköping DolphinsSweden
7PGLithuaniaAdomas SidarevičiusNeptūnas KlaipėdaLithuania
25F/CUnited StatesDeante JohnsonCleveland State VikingsUnited States
14PGUnited StatesLukas ValantinasRytas-2 VilniusLithuania
11SGLithuaniaAdas ŠimonisRytas VilniusLithuania
12SFUnited StatesJoey BakerMichigan WolverinesUnited States
44F/CUnited StatesKadeem JackSioux Falls SkyforceUnited States

Out

No.Pos.Nat.NameMoving to
HCLithuaniaRamūnas CvirkaIrbis AlmatyKazakhstan
ACLithuaniaDainius ŠalengaFree agent
5PGUnited StatesCorey Allen-WilliamsArgeș PiteștiRomania
8SGLithuaniaEvaldas ŠaulysJuventus UtenaLithuania
12FLithuaniaJustas FurmanavičiusBC GargždaiLithuania
22G/FLithuaniaIgnas VaitkusNevėžis KėdainiaiLithuania
7GLithuaniaMartynas ZigmantavičiusLSU-AtletasLithuania
9CLithuaniaMartynas PacevičiusNeptūnas KlaipėdaLithuania
33SFLatviaRihards KuksiksReal BetisSpain
35PFUkraineArtem KovalovKK ViimsiEstonia
11SGUnited StatesJared CunninghamKK VojvodinaSerbia
24PGUnited StatesJohn GillonFree agent

Season by season

  • 2003–2004 season: 4th LKAL (reg. season: 19–15)
  • 2004–2005 season: 5th (reg. season winner: 39–13)
  • 2005–2006 season: 8th NKL (reg. season: 22-22)
  • 2006–2007 season: 5th NKL (reg. season: 22-22)
  • 2007–2008 season: 8th NKL (reg. season: 17–15)
  • 2008–2009 season: 6th NKL (reg. season: 23–13)
  • 2009–2010 season: 3rd NKL (reg. season: 21–9)
  • 2010–2011 season: 1st NKL (reg. season: 41–1, lost promotion playoffs)
Season Tier League Pos. Baltic League LKF Cup
KMT Cup
2003–04 2 LKAL 4th
2004–05 2 LKAL 5th
2005–06 2 NKL 8th
2006–07 2 NKL 5th
2007–08 2 NKL 8th
2008–09 2 NKL 8th
2009–10 2 NKL 6th
2010–11 2 NKL 1st
2011–12 1 LKL 5th Elite Division 9th Runner-up
2012–13 1 LKL 5th Quarterfinalist Runner-up
2013–14 1 LKL 5th Quarterfinalist Sixth round
2014–15 1 LKL 5th Quarterfinalist Quarterfinalist
2015–16 1 LKL 8th Quarterfinalist
2016–17 1 LKL 7th Runner up Quarterfinalist
2017–18 1 LKL 6th Champion Quarterfinalist
2018–19 1 LKL 5th Quarterfinalist
2019–20 1 LKL 7th Quarterfinalist
2020–21 1 LKL 8th Quarterfinalist
2021–22 1 LKL 9th First round
2022–23 1 LKL 10th First round
Detailed information of former rosters and results.[15][16]

Head coaches

Notable players

References

  1. ↑ Pieno žvaigždės became NKL Champions (Lithuanian)
  2. ↑ Pieno žvaigždės lost first transition match (Lithuanian)
  3. ↑ Pieno žvaigždės won the second transition match (Lithuanian)
  4. ↑ Pieno Žvaigždės lost third transition match by one point (Lithuanian)
  5. ↑ Pieno žvaigždės bought BC Perlas (Lithuanian)
  6. ↑ Pieno žvaigždės debuted in LKL league (Lithuanian)
  7. ↑ Pieno žvaigždės eliminated Šiauliai and advanced to LKF Cup Final Four
  8. ↑ Pieno žvaigždės advanced to LKF Cup Final
  9. ↑ ""Juventus" dramatiškai žengė į LKL pusfinalį (3 video, foto, komentarai, statistika)". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  10. ↑ ""Neptūnas" liko be medalių – pirmą kartą istorijoje LKL bronzą iškovojo "Juventus"". Delfi.lt. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  11. ↑ "FIBA Europos taurės dalyvių sąraše – penki Lietuvos klubai". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  12. ↑ ""Pieno žvaigždės" stiprinasi NCAA žibėjusiu gynėju (video)". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  13. ↑ Malinauskas, Lukas. ""Pieno žvaigždės" prisiviliojo Ukrainos klubo lyderį". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  14. ↑ ""Pieno žvaigždės" – "FIBA Europe" taurės atkrintamosiose". lrytas.lt. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  15. ↑ "Pieno zvaigzdes". LKL.lt (in Lithuanian). Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  16. ↑ "PIENO ZVAIGZDES". BBL.net. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
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