ASK Riga
Encyclopedia
ASK Rīga is the name of a former professional basketball
club based in Riga
, Latvia
. "ASK" stands for "Armijas Sporta Klubs" (in English: Army Sports Club).
winner in 1958 and managed to defend its title in 1959 and 1960. Only Split
(1989–91) has been able to win three consecutive continental crowns since then. ASK won Academic Sofia
in the 1958 and 1959 Euroleague two-way finals, and did the same with Dynamo Tblisi
the following season. Gomelsky soon joined CSKA
, which became the team to beat in Russian basketball, but Riga
stayed competitive in the Soviet League
until the early 1990s. Years of obscurity followed, even though Riga
was always represented by teams like BK Skonto, Barons/LMT
or VEF Riga. BK Riga was re-founded in 2004 and it got back the name of ASK Riga on March 23, 2006, supported by the Riga City Council
, the National Army Forces and some powerful sponsors, as well as the brand new Arena Riga, with room for 10,500 fans. The team made it to the both the Baltic League
and the FIBA EuroCup quarterfinals, but the best was yet to come. The arrival of Torraye Braggs
happened to be the key piece in a roster already featuring Sandis Valters
, Raitis Grafs
, Curtis Millage
and Sandis Buškevics. ASK won the best-of-seven Latvian League
finals 4-2 and started a new era, breaking BK Ventspils
's seven-year dynasty. ASK hosted the ULEB Cup
opening game last season, but a plague of injuries did not allow the team to reach the elimination rounds. This season ASK finished fourth in the Baltic League
and won the bronze medals in the Latvian League
. 2008/2009 was the last season of ASK Riga.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
club based in Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
. "ASK" stands for "Armijas Sporta Klubs" (in English: Army Sports Club).
History
ASK, which stands for Army Sports Club, was the first European cupEuroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
winner in 1958 and managed to defend its title in 1959 and 1960. Only Split
KK Split
KK Split , KK Split CO for sponsorship relations is a basketball club from Split, Croatia. Currently, KK Split competes in the A-1 Liga and Krešimir Ćosić Cup.-History:...
(1989–91) has been able to win three consecutive continental crowns since then. ASK won Academic Sofia
PBC Lukoil Academic
PBC Lukoil Academic are a Bulgarian professional basketball club based in the capital Sofia. They play their home games at the Universiade Hall or at the Pravets sports complex....
in the 1958 and 1959 Euroleague two-way finals, and did the same with Dynamo Tblisi
BC Dinamo Tbilisi
BC Dinamo Tbilisi is the professional basketball team from Tbilisi, Georgia. The club competes in the Georgian Super Liga. Coach: Davit Tortladze.-History:...
the following season. Gomelsky soon joined CSKA
PBC CSKA Moscow
PBC CSKA Moscow is a Russian professional basketball team that is based in Moscow, Russia. The club is a member of the VTB United League. It is often referred to in the West as "Red Army" for its past affiliation with the Soviet Army. CSKA has won two titles between 2006 and 2009 in Europe's...
, which became the team to beat in Russian basketball, but Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
stayed competitive in the Soviet League
Russian Basketball Super League
The Russian Basketball SuperLeague is a men's professional basketball league that was the pre-eminent league of Russian professional basketball until 2010...
until the early 1990s. Years of obscurity followed, even though Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
was always represented by teams like BK Skonto, Barons/LMT
Barons LMT
BK Barons/O!Karte is a professional basketball club, which is based in Riga, Latvia. Its head coach is Kārlis Muižnieks.-History:...
or VEF Riga. BK Riga was re-founded in 2004 and it got back the name of ASK Riga on March 23, 2006, supported by the Riga City Council
Riga City Council
Riga City Council is the government of Riga City, the capital of Latvia. It is located in the Riga Town Hall at the Town Hall Square in the very heart of Riga....
, the National Army Forces and some powerful sponsors, as well as the brand new Arena Riga, with room for 10,500 fans. The team made it to the both the Baltic League
Baltic Basketball League
Baltic Basketball League is a Baltic states basketball league founded in 2004.Currently, the league is divided into two: the Elite division and the Challenge Cup division. The 10 strongest Baltic basketball clubs participate in the Elite division. The rest of the teams compete in the Challenge Cup...
and the FIBA EuroCup quarterfinals, but the best was yet to come. The arrival of Torraye Braggs
Torraye Braggs
Torraye Braggs is an American professional basketball player, formerly of the NBA.After a college career at Xavier University, Braggs was drafted by the Utah Jazz in the second round of the 1998 NBA Draft, and had short stints in the NBA, with the Houston Rockets and the Washington Wizards ,...
happened to be the key piece in a roster already featuring Sandis Valters
Sandis Valters
Sandis Valters is a Latvian professional basketball shooting guard, who plays for BK VEF Rīga. He is member of Latvia national basketball team....
, Raitis Grafs
Raitis Grafs
Raitis Grafs is a Latvian professional basketball center. He is a member of the Latvia national basketball team....
, Curtis Millage
Curtis Millage
Curtis Millage is a professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Arizona State University. At 6-feet, 2-inches , and 195 pounds , he usually plays as a point guard, but he also can play as a shooting guard. Millage can create his own shot and has the ability to get to the hoop...
and Sandis Buškevics. ASK won the best-of-seven Latvian League
Latvian Basketball League
Latvian Basketball League is the national basketball championship of Latvia. The first LBL season was played in 1992. From 1992 to 1999 all championships were won by BK Brocēni, however from 2000 to 2006 BK Ventspils were the champions. In 2007, ASK Rīga stopped BK Ventspils winning streak. BK...
finals 4-2 and started a new era, breaking BK Ventspils
BK Ventspils
BK Ventspils is a professional basketball club that is located in Ventspils, Latvia. The club competes in the Latvian Basketball League and the Baltic Basketball League .-History:...
's seven-year dynasty. ASK hosted the ULEB Cup
ULEB Cup
Eurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
opening game last season, but a plague of injuries did not allow the team to reach the elimination rounds. This season ASK finished fourth in the Baltic League
Baltic Basketball League
Baltic Basketball League is a Baltic states basketball league founded in 2004.Currently, the league is divided into two: the Elite division and the Challenge Cup division. The 10 strongest Baltic basketball clubs participate in the Elite division. The rest of the teams compete in the Challenge Cup...
and won the bronze medals in the Latvian League
Latvian Basketball League
Latvian Basketball League is the national basketball championship of Latvia. The first LBL season was played in 1992. From 1992 to 1999 all championships were won by BK Brocēni, however from 2000 to 2006 BK Ventspils were the champions. In 2007, ASK Rīga stopped BK Ventspils winning streak. BK...
. 2008/2009 was the last season of ASK Riga.
Championships
- Latvian ChampionshipsLatvian Basketball LeagueLatvian Basketball League is the national basketball championship of Latvia. The first LBL season was played in 1992. From 1992 to 1999 all championships were won by BK Brocēni, however from 2000 to 2006 BK Ventspils were the champions. In 2007, ASK Rīga stopped BK Ventspils winning streak. BK...
: 1 (2007) - Soviet League Championships: 4 (1955, 1956, 1957, 1958)
- EuroleagueEuroleagueEuroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
Championships: 3 (1958, 1959, 1960)
Notable players
|
 Torraye BraggsTorraye Braggs Torraye Braggs is an American professional basketball player, formerly of the NBA.After a college career at Xavier University, Braggs was drafted by the Utah Jazz in the second round of the 1998 NBA Draft, and had short stints in the NBA, with the Houston Rockets and the Washington Wizards ,... (32) A. J. BramlettA. J. Bramlett Aaron Jordan Bramlett is an American former professional basketball player. At 6-foot, 10-inches, weight 235 pounds, he usually played a center or post position.... (42) Corey L. BrewerCorey L. Brewer Corey Lavelle Brewer is an American professional basketball player, currently playing in Europe.... (31) Dwayne Broyles (8) Ricardo Marsh (21) Curtis MillageCurtis Millage Curtis Millage is a professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Arizona State University. At 6-feet, 2-inches , and 195 pounds , he usually plays as a point guard, but he also can play as a shooting guard. Millage can create his own shot and has the ability to get to the hoop... (14) Aerick Sanders (34) Sean ColsonSean Colson Sean Tyree Colson is an American professional basketball player. A 6'0" point guard, he attended the University of Rhode Island, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Hagerstown Junior College... (8) |
 Bruno ŠundovBruno Šundov Bruno Šundov is a Croatian professional basketball player, currently playing for PBC Lukoil Academic. He is a 2.21 m and 122 kg center... (14)  Martynas Andrukaitis (13) Steponas BabrauskasSteponas Babrauskas Steponas Babrauskas is a Lithuanian professional basketball player who plays for Lietuvos Rytas.His first achievement in basketball came at the 2003 FIBA U-19 World Championships in Greece, where Babrauskas and the Lithuanian U-19 National Basketball Team won silver medals... (11) Vytautas Danelius Milutin AleksićMilutin Aleksic Milutin Aleksić is a professional basketball player.A native of Belgrade, Aleksić began his career with Red Star Belgrade. He moved to Montenegro in 2002 and spent one season and a half with Buducnost before going on loan to Lemsos midway through the 2003–04 season.He played for the following... (7)  Marko Antonijevic Darius LukminasDarius Lukminas Darius Lukminas is a Lithuanian former basketball player for the Lithuanian national basketball team and Žalgiris Kaunas... Smiljan PavičSmiljan Pavic Smiljan Pavič is a Slovenian professional basketball player, currently playing in the Slovenian League for KK Krka.-External links:*... Marius RunkauskasMarius Runkauskas Marius Runkauskas is a Lithuanian professional basketball player. He plays primarily at the shooting guard position, but he can also play point guard if needed.-Pro career:... (10) Andrius MazutisAndrius Mažutis Andrius Mažutis is a Lithuanian professional basketball player. He is a 1.80 m tall point guard.-Awards and achievements:* 2001 - Lietuvos Krepšinio A Lyga Champion * 2005 - Azerbaijan Champion... (12)  Aivar KuusmaaAivar Kuusmaa Aivar Kuusmaa is a retired Estonian professional basketball player who played mostly at the shooting guard position.He won the Soviet Union league championship in 1991 as a member of the Tallinn Kalev basketball team. Kuusmaa mostly played in Estonia, but he also spent three seasons in Greece,... |
Notable coaches
Alexander GomelskyAlexander GomelskyAlexander Yakovlevich Gomelsky was a great Soviet and Russian basketball coach.Gomelsky was Jewish. He began his coaching career in 1948 in Leningrad with LGS Spartak...- Ramunas ButautasRamunas ButautasRamūnas Butautas is a Lithuanian basketball coach and head coach of VEF Rīga. He is a son of Stepas Butautas....
- Donaldas KairysDonaldas KairysDonaldas Kairys is a former basketball player and currently is the Assistant Coach of Lokomotiv Kuban, Russia.-Achievements:...