Baloncesto León
Baloncesto León logo
LeaguesLEB Oro
Founded1981
Dissolved2012
ArenaPalacio de los Deportes
LocationLeón, Spain
Team colorsRed and white
   
PresidentMiguel Fernández-Llamazares
Head coachJavier de Grado
Championships1 Copa Príncipe
1 Copa Castilla y León
Websitebaloncestoleon.com

Club Baloncesto León was a basketball team, based in León, Spain.

History

Early years (1981-1988)

Baloncesto León was founded by José Antonio Moirón García, Enrique Emperador Marcos, Juan Carlos Rodríguez Villanueva, Lisardo Mourelo González and Alberto Sobrín Martínez in León on 20 May 1981.

It began to play in Tercera División, the fourth division of Spanish basketball. In 1981, the team was promoted to Segunda División. After four years playing in the third tier, Baloncesto León was promoted to Primera División B, the second division.

Aranzana's first era (1989-1997)

In the middle of the 1988-1989 season, the coach Mariano Parra was sacked because Baloncesto León was in relegation posts. Then Baloncesto León signed Gustavo Aranzana, the coach of Cajapalencia, a team which was playing in Segunda División. Baloncesto León managed to leave relegation, and the next year, led by Xavi Fernández, was promoted to the ACB for first time in its history.

Baloncesto León's years under Aranzana's leadership were the most successful in the history of the team. Both in the 1991-1992 and 1992-1993 seasons, Baloncesto León reached position six in ACB.

In 1994 several things changed. The team changed the color of the T-shirt from yellow and green to red. Also, Xavi Fernandez transferred to FC Barcelona. Finally, in 1997, Aranzana left the team.

Decline and relegation (1997-2000)

In 1997, Edu Torres was hired as coach. He left the team after two years of failing to enter the playoffs. In 1999-2000, the team, coached by José Luis Oliete, was the last team in the classification, so Baloncesto León was relegated to LEB.

LEB (since 2000) and Aranzana's second era (since 2005)

A match against Plus Pujol Lleida in 2008.

Since 2000, Baloncesto León has been playing in the second category of Spanish basketball. The team has come close to promotion on several occasions, but has not achieved it.

After being coached by Roberto Herreras, Quino Salvo and Ángel Jareño, in 2005, Gustavo Aranzana was signed again as coach. In 2005–2006, Baloncesto León was, along with CAI Zaragoza, the highest-ranking team in the LEB regular season. In fact, Baloncesto León won the Regular Season. In the playoff, Baloncesto León easily defeated Palma Aqua Mágica and reached the semifinal round. Both final competitors of the semifinals get promoted. The rival was Bruesa GBC, 5th in regular season, which defeated Baloncesto León by 3-0. CAI Zaragoza did not get promoted.

In 2006–2007 the team reached the second position in the end of the Regular Season. For first time in several years the team got a private sponsorship, Climalia. In the playoff, Baloncesto León defeated again Palma Aqua Mágica, (3-2). In the semifinals, they played versus CAI Zaragoza. León won the round 3–2, so, along with Ricoh Manresa got promoted to Liga ACB the 5/26/2007.

In the 2007–2008 season, León made a very poor season and they were relegated again to LEB Oro after winning only eight of their 34 matches. Their most surprising winning was in Vitoria, against Tau Cerámica. After that season, León continues playing in the LEB League, where they reached the play-offs in the next two seasons with Javier de Grado as coach.

After the 2011–2012 season the club ceased in activity and was dissolved. A new club was created to replace old Baloncesto León. It is called Fundación Baloncesto León and played its first season at Liga EBA.

Season by season

Season Tier Division Pos. W–L Copa del Rey Other cups European competitions
1980–81 4 3ª División 2nd
1981–82 4 3ª División 1st
1982–83 3 2ª División 15th
1983–84 3 2ª División 5th
1984–85 3 2ª División 3rd
1985–86 3 2ª División 1st
1986–87 2 1ª División B 8th 19–15
1987–88 2 1ª División B 17th 23–22
1988–89 2 1ª División 11th 17–16
1989–90 2 1ª División B 2nd 19–11
1990–91 1 Liga ACB 20th 16–22 Quarterfinalist
1991–92 1 Liga ACB 6th 27–12 Quarterfinalist
1992–93 1 Liga ACB 6th 19–16 Third round 3 Korać CupQF7–5
1993–94 1 Liga ACB 13th 14–18 Third round 3 Korać CupGS6–4
1994–95 1 Liga ACB 9th 19–19 Quarterfinalist
1995–96 1 Liga ACB 12th 18–20 Quarterfinalist
1996–97 1 Liga ACB 6th 21–17 Semifinalist
1997–98 1 Liga ACB 11th 14–20 3 Korać CupR3213–1
1998–99 1 Liga ACB 16th 13–21
1999–00 1 Liga ACB 18th 10–24
2000–01 2 LEB 5th 24–10 Copa PríncipeSF
2001–02 2 LEB 5th 20–15
2002–03 2 LEB 3rd 20–19
2003–04 2 LEB 4th 23–19
2004–05 2 LEB 3rd 28–13
2005–06 2 LEB 3rd 29–11 Copa PríncipeSF
2006–07 2 LEB 2nd 28–16 Copa PríncipeC
2007–08 1 Liga ACB 18th 8–26
2008–09 2 LEB Oro 8th 18–18
2009–10 2 LEB Oro 7th 19–18
2010–11 2 LEB Oro 6th 21–17
2011–12 2 LEB Oro 14th 15–19

Trophies and awards

Trophies

Individual awards

LEB Oro MVP

  • Michael Wilson – 2001

Notable players

Notable coaches

  • Spain Gustavo Aranzana

List of coaches

  • Spain José Estrada 1980–1984
  • Spain Antonio Garrido 1984–1987
  • Spain José Clavijo 1987–1988
  • Spain Mariano Parra 1988–1989
  • Spain Gustavo Aranzana 1989–1997, 2005–2008
  • Spain Eduard Torres 1997–1999
  • Spain José Luis Oliete 1999–2000
  • Spain Roberto Herreras 2002
  • Spain Quino Salvo 2002–2003
  • Spain Angel Jareño 2003–2005
  • Spain Javier de Grado 2008–2012
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