Uniclub Bet Juventus | |||
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Nickname | Juvė | ||
Leagues | Lithuanian Basketball League | ||
Founded | 1999 | ||
History | Juventus (1999–2004) Juventus LKSK (2004–2009) Juventus (2009–2021) Uniclub Casino Juventus (2021–2024) Uniclub Bet Juventus (2024–present) | ||
Arena | Utena Arena | ||
Capacity | 2,000 | ||
Location | Utena, Lithuania | ||
Team colors | Red, white and black | ||
Team manager | Eimantas Skersis | ||
Head coach | Kęstutis Kemzūra | ||
Affiliation(s) | Ežerūnas Molėtai Olimpas Ukmergė | ||
Championships | 1LKBL 1RKL 1BBL Challenge Cup | ||
Website | utenosjuventus.lt | ||
BC Juventus (Lithuanian:Krepšinio klubas Juventus), also known asUniclub Bet Juventus for sponsorship reasons, is a Lithuanian professionalbasketball club based inUtena,Lithuania. Founded in 1999, the club currently plays in theLithuanian Basketball League.
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 onehandball player. First team captain, which also founded Juventus basketball team was football playerNerijus Kuzmickas (played inKauno Inkaras team), nowŠiauliai 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 byRimvydas 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 wonLKBL championship (same likeRKL) and won right to participate in theLKAL championship (same likeNKL). 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 inRKL tournament. One season later, Juventus wonRKL championship once again and in transition match to theNKL championship, BC Juventus won againstKaunoLKKA-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 toKlaipėdosNeptūnas. Same year, team coach Mindaugas Kildišius, was named the bestRKL championship coach.
In 2007–2008 seasonUtena's basketball team debuted in theNKL championship and won regular season (25 wins and 7 losses), however in the final standings BC Juventus took only fourth place. In the end of 2007, Juventus guardRaimondas Ambrulaitis was named "Lithuania basketball discovery of the year", team coach Mindaugas Kildišius was named the best 2007–2008NKL season coach.
One year later, Juventus basketball team wonNKL regular season once again and participated inNKL championshipsemi-finals. In 2009, Juventus wasn't able to participate in theNKL finals, because of that team coachMindaugas Kildišius retired from his position. Also because of that,Mindaugas Kildišius assistantRolandas Urkis coached Juventus basketball team until the end of the season.[1] On 15 June 2009LKF decided to let Juventus basketball team participate in the Lithuania super basketball leagueLKL because of the commercial principles.[2] For the permission to participate in theLithuanian Basketball League (LKL), Juventus basketball team had to pay 350 thousandLTL.[3]
On 20 August 2009Gintaras Kručkauskas became main Juventus basketball team coach.[4] The 2009–2010Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) season was the most successful in the club history as Juventus basketball team took fourth place in the LKL championship.[5]
On 7 July 2010Robertas Giedraitis became main BC Juventus coach.[6]
During 2010–2011 season, BC Juventus first time in the club history becameBaltic Basketball League Challenge Cup champions.[7] Also BC "Juventus" made a huge surprise as they eliminated 7-time LKL Bronze streakerŠiauliai in the first round of LKL playoffs (first game: 105:94,[8] second game: 91:81[9]). After eliminatingŠiauliai in quarter-final, BC Juventus reached LKL semi finals and met Lithuania basketball powerhouseŽalgiris. On 27 April 2011 BC Juventus lost first game atKaunas Sports Hall against Žalgiris with result 63–95,[10] the second match took place on 29 April 2011 inUtena. Juventus lost the second game too and had to fight for LKL Bronze againstRūdupis.[11] Juventus lost first Bronze game atPrienai with result 65–79,[12] the second game was unsuccessful for Juventus too as they lost it in their home arena in Utena with result 73–98.[13] The third game took place in Prienai, which Juventus team lost with result 83–84,[14] 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. AfterRytis Vaišvila was hired as head coach, Juventus made the playoffs in 2013, and fought valiantly againstLietuvos 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 toTonyBet Prienai 0:2. The team also played in the BBL Elite division, but didn't make the playoff stage for two straight seasons.
In2014–15 LKL season the club reached new highs. Before the season, the well-knownRashaun 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 seedPieno 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.[15] Despite having a regular season victory overBC Žalgiris, Juventus was no match for BC Žalgiris in the semifinals, losing the series 0:3. Though, Juventus shockingly defeatedEuroLeague participantNeptūnas 3:2 and won LKL bronze medals for the first time in club's history.[16] 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".[17] 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 inEuroCup for the first time in the club history as LKL bronze medalists.[18] Though, they decided to choose theFIBA Europe Cup version instead.[19] By preparing for their debut in the first-ever European competition, BC Juventus signed with formerLithuania men's national basketball team head coachAntanas Sireika to replace the LKL bronze medals winningDainius Adomaitis, who signed withNeptūnas Klaipėda.[20][21] 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.[22] After successfully playing at the Round of 32 where they took first place in the group, Juventus advanced into the playoffs but there they were immediately eliminated by the Croatian powerhouseCibona Zagreb after two close games (78–83, 84–87).[23] In the LKL playoffs, Juventus defeatedVytautas in the quarterfinals 3–2, but lost to Žalgiris in the semifinal sweep 0–3. In the bronze medal game, Juventus lost toBC Lietuvos rytas 0–3.
In 2016–2017 season Juventus qualified into theBasketball Champions League after crushingFC Porto 77–59 on 29 September 2016.[24] In the Champions League group stage, Juventus qualified to the playoffs, finishing 4th in the group with an 8–6 record. In the playoffs, Juventus faced the legendaryAEK team, and were eliminated, losing both at home 77:78, and away 54:75. In February, Juventus also delivered the biggest shock in theKing Mindaugas Cup tournament, eliminating championBC Lietuvos rytas 87:84 in the quarterfinals. In the tournament semifinals, Juventus lost a hard-fought game to another favorite,Lietkabelis, 70:75, but won the 3-rd place game against rivalVytautas 70:61. In the LKL playoffs, Juventus facedNeptūnas in the quarterfinals - they were no match for Neptūnas, who swept the series 3:0 in dominating fashion, with a 19-point average.
Before the 2017–2018 season, team star and LKL MVPJamar Diggs left to play in France and coach Sireika returned toBC Šiauliai. Juventus signed strong players likeAnthony Ireland,LaRon Dendy,Jonte Flowers and the stars of the 2015 season in which Juventus won 3rd place,Arvydas Šikšnius andSimas Buterlevičius. CoachGediminas Petrauskas was signed to replace Sireika. Juventus qualified for theBasketball Champions League by defeatingPBC Academic 82:81 and 86:79. After this, Juventus had a horrible streak - after starting 0–7 in the LKL, coach Petrauskas resigned, and longtime player, assistant coach and team presidentŽydrūnas Urbonas took over as head coach. The team greatly improved, both in the LKL, and the Champions League. In theKing Mindaugas Cup quarterfinals, Juventus facedBC Lietuvos rytas in a previous season rematch, losing in overtime 88:91, after some questionable calls by the referees at the end of game. In the Champions League, Juventus finished the regular season with a 4–10 record, but a win againstUCAM Murcia 70:56 in the last game of the regular season helped the team qualify for the2017–18 FIBA Europe Cup playoffs. Juventus defeatedAlba Fehérvár on aggregate 163:152 (87:74 at home and 76:78 away) in the Round of 16, qualifying for the quarterfinals. Juventus lost toSidigas Avellino in the quarterfinals, on aggregate 145:162 (77:77 at home and 68:85 away). Jonte Flowers was replaced byDino Pita during the season. By the end of the season, injuries, disciplinary issues and release of one of the team's leaders LaRon Dendy caused the team to go on a 5-game losing streak in the LKL, plummeting in the standings and finishing only in 7th place. Juventus faced Lietuvos rytas in the playoffs, losing the series 0:3, though came very close to winning the second game in Utena, losing in the final seconds after erasing an 18-point deficit.
In the 2018–2019 season, Juventus didn't play in European competitions, because of money troubles from the previous season. Team leaders Ireland and Kupšas left the team, being replaced byAlex Hamilton and the returningVaidas Čepukaitis.Dovis Bičkauskis,Kenny Gaines and Šikšnius remained with the team, while Urbonas remained as head coach.Martinas Geben, who Juventus loaned fromBC Žalgiris, became the first player from Juventus to get an invitation for theLithuania men's national basketball team, playing in the World Cup qualification. After a 2–5 start, Juventus also signedMarius Runkauskas andTomas Dimša to strengthen the team. Hamilton, the team leader, left in December. Juventus recovered, and in February, the heavily improved Bičkauskis became the second player from Juventus to get an invitation to the national team. In theKing Mindaugas Cup, Juventus eliminated the NKL championsBC Neptūnas-Akvaservis andBC Nevėžis in the first two rounds, before facingBC Rytas for the third straight season in the quarterfinals – this time, in a two-game series decided on aggregate. Juventus lost the controversial first match in Vilnius, 85–87, after questionable calls in the final minutes, including the ejection of head coach Urbonas.[25] In the rematch, Juventus started poorly, but recovered and led for most of the game – before Urbonas received a technical foul with minutes left, and Rytas, led by Seeley and Bendžius, took control and won the game, 76–65, winning the series on aggregate, 163:150, and eliminating Juventus from the competition. Juventus finished with a 15–21 record in the LKL, in 6th place. Geben was named the MVP of the LKL for the regular season. Juventus faced Rytas in the LKL quarterfinals, and nearly created one of the biggest upsets in LKL history – in the first game, in Vilnius, Juventus lost, 91–93, after a last-second three-pointer by Gerben missed. In the second game, Juventus finally beat Rytas, 92–83, to tie the series at 1–1, giving Rytas their first ever loss in the quarterfinals. In the decisive game, Juventus lost, 63–84, losing the series, 1–2, but earning praise for their amazing efforts.[26]
Celebrating their 20th anniversary, BC Juventus announced a new club logo for the upcoming 2019–20 season.[27] The biggest losses during the summer where Martinas Geben returning to Žalgiris, Bičkauskis leaving to sign with Rytas, and Tomas Dimša leaving to sign withBC Lietkabelis. Juventus signedJulius Jucikas,Bryant Crawford,Shannon Scott,Žygimantas Skučas and the returning former LKL MVP Vytautas Šulskis to strengthen the team. During the season, Juventus continued their war with Rytas Vilnius, once again facing Rytas in theKing Mindaugas Cup - after winning their first match at home 85:81, Juventus lost a controversial rematch 94:103 in Vilnius, with Rytas advancing to the semifinals. In the LKL, Juventus was fighting for the 4th place in the standings againstBC Neptūnas, with the strength of the new signings to the club and the improvedGytis Radzevičius, playing the best season of his career. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the season ended early, and Juventus, one win behind Neptūnas, finished the season in 5th place. Juventus also played in the Lithuanian 3x3 championship during the summer, winning the tournament.[28]
Juventus quickly became one of the better teams of the LKL of the 2020–2021 season. Under coach Urbonas, and led by their 3x3 championship, in particular Skučas, winning team, Crawford, the returningMindaugas Kupšas and former Rytas playerMartynas Gecevičius, and late season signingVaidas Kariniauskas, Juventus shocked everyone by destroying Rytas in theKing Mindaugas Cup, winning both at home 89:87 and away 105:78, getting sweet revenge from the previous season's controversial losses. Juventus, having lost in the semifinals to Lietkabelis, won the KMT bronze medals by defeatingBC Neptūnas. Juventus also participated in FIBA 3x3 tournaments during the season, having much success and becoming one of the best teams in the world. In the LKL, Juventus managed to reach the LKL semifinals with a win overCBet Prienai 2–0 in the quarterfinals. Juventus lost 0–3 toBC Žalgiris in the semifinals. Facing Eurocup teamBC Lietkabelis in the bronze medal series, Juventus took the series to the limit, but lost the deciding game 63:84 in Panevėžys, and lost the series 2–3. Juventus finished the LKL season 4th.[28]
Success in the 2020–2021 season resulted in Juventus earning a bid in the2021–22 Basketball Champions League qualification. While Juventus lost Kariniauskas and Skučas during the off-season, much of the previous season team remained. Juventus signedTomas Lekūnas to replace Skučas. At point guard, Juventus signedPatrick Miller to replace Kariniauskas at point guard. Juventus also signedRokas Gustys andNorbertas Giga to strengthen the team. In the Basketball Champions League qualification, Juventus managed to reach the final stage, by beating theKapfenberg Bulls 90:68 in the quarterfinals, and multiple time German champions and past EuroLeague participantBrose Bamberg 83:79 in the semifinals, thanks to strong play from Miller. In the finals, Juventus lost toKalev/Cramo 81:86 in the finals, not qualifying for the Basketball Champions League regular season. In the LKL, Juventus started strong, thanks to strong play from Miller, fighting for the third spot in the standings, including a memorable 111:89 win overBC Rytas in Vilnius. By the start of 2022, Juventus started struggling.Adreian Payne, the heavily hyped signing at center to replace the departed Kupšas, arrived not ready to play, had multiple conflicts with coach Urbonas and left the team in February. It would turn out to be his final team. The team started falling apart - injuries, losses in the LKL, a shock exit againstBC Šiauliai in theKing Mindaugas Cup quarterfinals, even some fan protests, resulted in head coachŽydrūnas Urbonas resigning in April. Juventus, left with the assistantNedas Pacevičius at the helm, finished the LKL regular season in 6th place. In the LKL quarterfinals, Juventus faced, and lost toBC Lietkabelis, who swept Juventus 3:0 in the series, an anti-climatic end to the season.
Juventus had a turbulent summer - nearly the entire team left during the summer. Juventus signed ex-Rytas coachDonaldas Kairys as the new head coach for the season. Much of the new signings came weeks before the new season was set to start - Juventus signed back Skučas, returning after a one-season absence, and signed backAlex Hamilton, who had a brief tenure with the team in the 2018–2019 season. Other signings includedJuwan Ewans,Justin Alston, who, along with Hamilton, quickly became leaders of the new team. Juventus started the season slow, with a 0–3 start in the LKL, before winning the next 11 out of 12 games, and reaching as far the third place in the LKL standings. Juventus also signedReggie Lynch as the center later during the season, forming a formidable front-court with Alston.Martynas Paliukėnas also had his best season with Juventus in the LKL. The biggest win in the LKL came in February, with Juventus beating LKL championsBC Rytas in Vilnius, 88:77, in Kairys first match back in Vilnius, where he was heavily jeered all game by Rytas fans. Ewans and Hamilton later left the team during the season, and were replaced byBrandon Brown andJon Davis, with Davis in particular quickly adapting and becoming the team leader. Juventus participated in theKing Mindaugas Cup, losing toBC Lietkabelis in the quarterfinals. In the LKL, Juventus finished the regular season in 6th place, and in the quarterfinals, once again faced Lietkabelis. Lietkabelis beat Juventus in the first game, 85:73, in Panevėžys, before Juventus fought back and beat Lietkabelis in Utena, 86:77, tying the series. The third and decisive game proved to be a classic - Juventus fought and led most of the way, before Lietkabelis regained the lead, and in the final minutes, pulled out a 101:99 win over Juventus, winning the series 2:1. Immediately after the season, long time coach and team president Urbonas left the team.Gintautas Matulis took over as the new sporting director in the club, starting a new era for the team.
Juventus replaced Kairys withOliver Kostić, a former assistant coach inBC Žalgiris and the current assistant coach in theSerbia national basketball team, during the summer, and only Skučas andErnestas Sederevičius remaining with Juventus from the previous team. For the first half of the season, Juventus was led byBrae Ivey, who departed Juventus in December. Signings like point guardScoochie Smith, the front court ofAjdin Penava andIvan Vraneš led the team in scoring. Late season signingTJ Starks in particular sparked the team, quickly becoming the new team leader in the absence of Ivey, whileEvaldas Šaulys,Marius Valinskas and centerŠarūnas Beniušis, along with Skučas and Sederevičius, also contributed in wins. Juventus returned to European competitions, participating in the2023–24 European North Basketball League. For most of the season, Juventus remained strong - Juventus had dominated theKing Mindaugas Cup group stage, with a 4–2 record, and also beatingBC Nevėžis in the play-in, with a 107:90 win in Kėdainiai, losing at home 101:113 but winning on aggregate, to advance to the quarterfinals - in the quarterfinals, Juventus faced off long time rivals,BC Rytas - Rytas took a big win over Juventus in Utena, 98:86, and finished off Juventus with a 104:67 win in Vilnius. In the European North Basketball League, Juventus had dominated the group stage, advancing to the playoffs with a 6–1 record, and heavy favorites against Belgium sideRoyal Liege Basket - who had been easily beaten in by other Lithianian side,BC Šiauliai, now coached by former Juventus president and coachŽydrūnas Urbonas. Juventus had been considered to win the whole tournament, suffered a stunner when Liege went on to win the first game 95:84 at home. In the rematch, Juventus went on to win 96:87, however, with the win not being enough, as Liege shockingly eliminated Juventus from the competition. Meanwhile, Šiauliai, along with Urbonas, went on to advance to the competition's semifinals. In the LKL, however, Juventus had shined all season long - winning the season series against7-Bet Lietkabelis and a sweet win in Utena in May over Rytas helped Juventus get home-court advantage for the first time for the LKL playoffs since 2021, with an 18–12 record and 4th place in the standings - one of the best finishes ever for Juventus. Coach Kostić was named the LKL Coach of the Year for the season. The home-court advantage, however, proved to be irrelevant as Juventus faced off Lietkabelis again in the quarterfinals. Juventus lost the opening thriller in Utena, as Lietkabelis won 84:77, before beating Lietkabelis in Panevėžys, 89:88, as the series was tied at 1:1 heading in the deciding clash in Utena. Lietkabelis led nearly the entire game, before Juventus made a mircale comeback and erased a deficit to force overtime. In overtime, both teams traded shots, before a shot by Smith put Juventus up by 1 in closing seconds. Lietkabelis, however, made their move and a tip-in byGabrielius Maldūnas gave Lietkabelis a 100:99 lead, followed by a costly turnover by Juventus - Lietkabelis won the series 2:1. Juventus fans gave the team a standing ovation after the game, for a great season.
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Juventus Utena retired numbers | |||||
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No. | Nat. | Player | Position | Tenure | Ceremony Date |
8 | ![]() | Žydrūnas Urbonas | SF,PF | 2009–2012 | 29 September 2012 |
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Updated:18 December 2024 |
Season | Tier | League | Pos. | Baltic League | Pos. | Cup | European competitions | |
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2003–04 | 3 | LKBL | 6th | |||||
2004–05 | 3 | LKBL | 1st | |||||
2005–06 | 3 | RKL | 3rd | |||||
2006–07 | 3 | RKL | 1st | |||||
2007–08 | 2 | NKL | 4th | |||||
2008–09 | 2 | NKL | 4th | Fourth round | ||||
2009–10 | 1 | LKL | 4th | Challenge Cup | 5th | First round | ||
2010–11 | 1 | LKL | 4th | Challenge Cup | 1st | Second round | ||
2011–12 | 1 | LKL | 9th | Elite Division | 11th | Second round | ||
2012–13 | 1 | LKL | 7th | Elite Division | 9th | Second round | ||
2013–14 | 1 | LKL | 7th | Elite Division | 13th | Second round | ||
2014–15 | 1 | LKL | 3rd | Elite Division | 3rd | Fourth place | ||
2015–16 | 1 | LKL | 4th | Quarterfinalist | 3FIBA Europe Cup | R16 | ||
2016–17 | 1 | LKL | 5th | Third place | 3Champions League | POQ | ||
2017–18 | 1 | LKL | 7th | Quarterfinalist | 3Champions League | RS | ||
4FIBA Europe Cup | QF | |||||||
2018–19 | 1 | LKL | 6th | Quarterfinalist | ||||
2019–20 | 1 | LKL | 5th | Quarterfinalist | ||||
2020–21 | 1 | LKL | 4th | Third place | ||||
2021–22 | 1 | LKL | 6th | Quarterfinalist | 3Champions League | QR | ||
2022–23 | 1 | LKL | 6th | Quarterfinalist | ||||
2023–24 | 1 | LKL | 5th | ENBL | QF | Quarterfinalist | ||
2024–25 | 1 | LKL | Group stage | 3Champions League | QR |
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 theUtena city coat of arms.[33]