Cholet Basket
Encyclopedia
Cholet Basket is a professional basketball
club that is based in Cholet
, France. The club plays in the French Pro A League
. Their home arena is La Meilleraie
.
(3 victories – 13 defeats). During the 2004–05 season 10 of the 12 players in the first team derrived from the youth system. Some of the most illustrious players who had their debut in the team are Antoine Rigaudeau
, Jim Bilba
and Mickaël Gelabale
.
During the 2008–2009 season, Cholet was defeated by Virtus Bologna
in the EuroChallenge's Final (75–77).
In 2010, Cholet finished 1st of the 2009–2010 Pro A League
regular season and won the championship after defeating Le Mans
in the Play-Offs Final (81–65). Thanks to its national champion title, Cholet is automatically qualified for the 2010–2011 Euroleague
season. Cholet was eliminated during the first round (4 victories – 6 defeats) of the 2010–2011 Euroleague after defeating prestigious (and at the time unbeaten) Fenerbahçe Ülker
(82–78).
In 2011, Cholet, defending its title finished 1st again of the 2011-12 Pro A League regular season and was only defeated during the finals by SLUC Nancy (74-76).
in 2009
, beside Real Madrid
(2005
), Joventut Badalona
(2009
), Fenerbahçe Ülker
(2008
), KK Partizan
(2002
) and Pau-Ortez
(2003
).
Notable Players that have progressed through the Cholet Youth Academy (Espoirs)
and Jim Bilba
when in Cholet, are both withdrawn.
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 that is based in Cholet
Cholet
Cholet is a commune of western France in the Maine-et-Loire department. It was the capital of military Vendée.-Geography:Cholet stands on an eminence on the right bank of the Moine, which used to be crossed by a bridge from the fifteenth century...
, France. The club plays in the French Pro A League
Ligue Nationale de Basketball
The Ligue National de Basket is the top men's French professional basketball league. There are two divisions: French Pro A League and French Pro B League .-Pro A:...
. Their home arena is La Meilleraie
La Meilleraie
La Meilleraie is an indoor sporting arena located in Cholet, France. The capacity of the arena is 5,191 people. It is currently home to the Cholet Basket basketball team....
.
Establishment
The team debuted in the 1st division in the 1987–88 season and after managing to get to the premier league in only 12 years. The team were able to sustain themselves in the league, and were consistently in the top 10 teams having a highly successful youth system. This youth system has allowed the club to produce professional players season after season. After winning the National Cup in 1999, Cholet got automatically qualified for its first participation to the EuroleagueEuroleague
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...
(3 victories – 13 defeats). During the 2004–05 season 10 of the 12 players in the first team derrived from the youth system. Some of the most illustrious players who had their debut in the team are Antoine Rigaudeau
Antoine Rigaudeau
Antoine Roger Rigaudeau nicknamed Le Roi , is a retired French professional basketball player....
, Jim Bilba
Jim Bilba
Jim Bilba is a basketball player from France. He won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics with the Men's National Team.Currently, Bilba is the assistant coach for the French basketball team, Cholet Basket....
and Mickaël Gelabale
Mickaël Gelabale
Mickaël Gelabale is a French professional basketball player. He currently plays for Spirou Basket in the Belgian BLB...
.
During the 2008–2009 season, Cholet was defeated by Virtus Bologna
Virtus Bologna
-Notable players: Marco Bonamico 9 seasons: '75-'76, '77-'78, '80-'86, '88-'89 Carlo Caglieris 6 seasons: '75-'81 Pietro Generali 6 seasons: '75-'76, '78-'83 Gianni Bertolotti 5 seasons: '75-'80 Terry Driscoll 3 seasons: '75-'78 Eric Luc Leclerc 1 season: '75-'76 Luigi Serafini 2 seasons: '75-'77...
in the EuroChallenge's Final (75–77).
In 2010, Cholet finished 1st of the 2009–2010 Pro A League
Ligue Nationale de Basketball
The Ligue National de Basket is the top men's French professional basketball league. There are two divisions: French Pro A League and French Pro B League .-Pro A:...
regular season and won the championship after defeating Le Mans
Le Mans Sarthe Basket
Le Mans Sarthe Basket is a professional basketball club that is based in the city of Le Mans, France. The club plays in the French Pro A League.-History:Le Mans was founded in the year 1939. The club won the French Championship in 1978, 1979, 1982, and 2006...
in the Play-Offs Final (81–65). Thanks to its national champion title, Cholet is automatically qualified for the 2010–2011 Euroleague
Euroleague 2010–11
The Turkish Airlines Euroleague 2010–11 was the 11th season of the modern era of Euroleague Basketball and the first under the title sponsorship of Turkish Airlines...
season. Cholet was eliminated during the first round (4 victories – 6 defeats) of the 2010–2011 Euroleague after defeating prestigious (and at the time unbeaten) Fenerbahçe Ülker
Fenerbahçe Ülker
Fenerbahçe Ülker is the professional men's basketball department of Fenerbahçe S.K., a major multisport club based in Istanbul, Turkey. The department has been sponsored by the Ülker since 2006. In 2006 Fenerbahçe S.K...
(82–78).
In 2011, Cholet, defending its title finished 1st again of the 2011-12 Pro A League regular season and was only defeated during the finals by SLUC Nancy (74-76).
Youth Academy
Cholet Basket is intensively focusing on its Youth Academy to provide players to its professional squad. During the 2004–05 season, 10 of the 12 players of the Pro squad have progressed through the club Youth Academy. It is also one of the only six European clubs to have provided two players to the same NBA draftNBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
in 2009
2009 NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
, beside Real Madrid
Real Madrid Baloncesto
Real Madrid Baloncesto is a Spanish professional basketball team founded in 1932 as a division of the Real Madrid club. They play in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto ....
(2005
2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
), Joventut Badalona
Joventut Badalona
Club Joventut Badalona, S.A.D. is a Spanish professional basketball club based in Badalona, Catalonia, playing in the Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto . Known to their fans as La Penya , it is one of only three teams that have never been relegated from the top division of the Spanish League...
(2009
2009 NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
), Fenerbahçe Ülker
Fenerbahçe Ülker
Fenerbahçe Ülker is the professional men's basketball department of Fenerbahçe S.K., a major multisport club based in Istanbul, Turkey. The department has been sponsored by the Ülker since 2006. In 2006 Fenerbahçe S.K...
(2008
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
), KK Partizan
KK Partizan
Košarkaški klub Partizan is a Serbian professional basketball club. It is part of the multi-sports Belgrade-based club Partizan. The club competes in the Serbian League, Adriatic League and the Euroleague....
(2002
2002 NBA Draft
The 2002 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2002 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting 57 amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from non-North...
) and Pau-Ortez
Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez
The Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez is a French professional basketball club that is based in Pau. They play their home games at the Palais des Sports de Pau.- History :...
(2003
2003 NBA Draft
The 2003 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2003 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and...
).
Notable Players that have progressed through the Cholet Youth Academy (Espoirs)
| Antoine Rigaudeau Antoine Rigaudeau Antoine Roger Rigaudeau nicknamed Le Roi , is a retired French professional basketball player.... Jim Bilba Jim Bilba Jim Bilba is a basketball player from France. He won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics with the Men's National Team.Currently, Bilba is the assistant coach for the French basketball team, Cholet Basket.... |
David Gautier Aymeric Jeanneau Aymeric Jeanneau Aymeric Jeanneau is a French professional basketball player. He is a 1.85 m tall point guard.-Biography:... Cédric Ferchaud |
Claude Marquis Mickaël Gelabale Mickaël Gelabale Mickaël Gelabale is a French professional basketball player. He currently plays for Spirou Basket in the Belgian BLB... |
Nando de Colo Nando de Colo Nando de Colo is a French professional basketball player. His parents are from Portugal.-Pro career:... Rodrigue Beaubois Rodrigue Beaubois Rodrigue Beaubois is a French professional basketball player who was drafted 25th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks after being drafted... Kévin Séraphin Kevin Seraphin Kevin Seraphin is a French professional basketball player who was drafted 17th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He was subsequently traded to the Washington Wizards after being drafted, along with Kirk Hinrich and cash. He is listed at tall and he plays the power forward and... |
Current roster
Note: Jerseys #4 and #10, respectively worn by Antoine RigaudeauAntoine Rigaudeau
Antoine Roger Rigaudeau nicknamed Le Roi , is a retired French professional basketball player....
and Jim Bilba
Jim Bilba
Jim Bilba is a basketball player from France. He won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics with the Men's National Team.Currently, Bilba is the assistant coach for the French basketball team, Cholet Basket....
when in Cholet, are both withdrawn.
Achievements
- French Championship Pro A : 2010
- La Semaine des As Cup: 2008
- French Cup : 1998, 1999
- Match des Champions (French Pro A Champion vs French Cup winner): 2010
- French Cup Finalist : 2005, 2008
- Finalist of Pro A : 1988
- Finalist of the Tournoi des As : 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1993.
- Champion of Division 2 (now Pro B) : 1986
Notable players
 France Valéry Demory Bruno CoqueranBruno Coqueran Bruno Coqueran is a French basketball player who played 19 matches for the French men's national basketball team from 1993-1994 .-References:... Stéphane Ostrowski Stéphane Ostrowski Stéphane Ostrowski is a retired French basketball player. A 6 ft 8.75 in power forward, he is widely considered one of the major figures of French basketball and was among the 105 player nominees for the 50 Greatest Euroleague Contributors list. He led CSP Limoges to the Saporta Cup title in... Patrick Cham Patrick Cham Patrick Cham is a French basketball player. Cham has had 113 selections on the French national men's basketball team from 1981-1989. - References :... Antoine Rigaudeau Antoine Rigaudeau Antoine Roger Rigaudeau nicknamed Le Roi , is a retired French professional basketball player.... Jim Bilba Jim Bilba Jim Bilba is a basketball player from France. He won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics with the Men's National Team.Currently, Bilba is the assistant coach for the French basketball team, Cholet Basket.... David Gautier Éric Micoud Eric Micoud Eric Micoud is a French basketball player who played 20 games for the men's French national team between 1999 and 2001 .-References:... Aymeric Jeanneau Aymeric Jeanneau Aymeric Jeanneau is a French professional basketball player. He is a 1.85 m tall point guard.-Biography:... |
Fabien Dubos Cédric Ferchaud Claude Marquis Mickaël Gelabale Mickaël Gelabale Mickaël Gelabale is a French professional basketball player. He currently plays for Spirou Basket in the Belgian BLB... Cyril Akpomedah Cyril Akpomedah Cyril Akpomedah is a French professional basketball player.- Career :* 1997-99: Cholet Basket * 1999-2003: Châlons-en-C * 2003-05: Cholet Basket... Steed Tchicamboud Steed Tchicamboud Steed Tchicamboud is a French basketball player who played 16 games for the French men's national basketball team in 2008 .-References:... Nando de Colo Nando de Colo Nando de Colo is a French professional basketball player. His parents are from Portugal.-Pro career:... Rodrigue Beaubois Rodrigue Beaubois Rodrigue Beaubois is a French professional basketball player who was drafted 25th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks after being drafted... Fabien Causeur Fabien Causeur Fabien Causeur is a French professional basketball player currently playing for Cholet Basket in the French Pro A. He is a 6-foot 4-inch, 198-pound shooting guard.-Pro career:... |
Mike Jones Mike Jones (basketball) Michael Jones is an American basketball player who played for the University of Maryland, College Park. He went to high school at Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts. Due to his success there, he was invited to the McDonald's All-American Game... Micheal Ray Richardson Micheal Ray Richardson Micheal Ray "Sugar" Richardson is an American former professional basketball player and currently the head coach of the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada. Richardson played college basketball for the Montana Grizzlies... James Blackwell James Blackwell Emmanuel James Blackwell is a retired American basketball player. He played collegiately for Dartmouth College.... Graylin Warner K'Zell Wesson K'zell Wesson K'zell Ray Wesson, correctly spelled K'Zell Ray Wesson and pronounced Kay-Zell is an American professional basketball player. He is 6' 7.5" in height and he weighs 242 lbs. . He plays the position of power forward-center... Terrell Lyday Terrell Lyday Terrell Lyday is an American professional basketball player playing in Europe.In June 2011 he extended the contract with UNICS Kazan for 2 more years.-Amateur Teams:... Lamayn Wilson Taj Gray Taj Gray Taj Gray was a basketball player for the University of Oklahoma.-High school career:Gray attended Wichita High School East and as a senior led his team to the Kansas Class 6A state title, earning tournament MVP honors... John Linehan John Linehan John Joseph Linehan, MBE is better known as the character May McFettridge.-May McFettridge:John Linehan was a car mechanic before he rose to fame in the guise of his plain-speaking, gap-toothed housewife character, May McFettridge. Eamonn Holmes, a relative, had asked Linehan to phone his then... Antywane Robinson Antywane Robinson Antywane Robinson is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for Erdemir SK in Turkish Basketball League.-Amateur career:... Randal Falker Randal Falker Randal Falker is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for Cholet Basket in French Pro A.-Amateur career:... |
Other countries Artūras Karnišovas Arturas Karnišovas Artūras Karnišovas is a retired Lithuanian professional basketball player.... John Amaechi John Amaechi John Uzoma Ekwugha Amaechi OBE is a retired American-born British basketball player who currently works as a psychologist, educator and political activist in Europe and the United States.... Paul Fortier DeRon Hayes  Scooter BarryScooter Barry Richard Francis "Scooter" Barry IV is a retired American professional basketball player.Barry was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Hall of Famer Rick Barry, and has three brothers Drew, Jon, and Brent who also share his profession. He is the only Barry not to play in the NBA...  Tony DorseyTony Dorsey Tony Dorsey is an American professional basketball player, and currently plays for the Guildford Heat in the British Basketball League.-Biography:... Tony Stanley Jimmal Ball Samuel Mejia |
Head coaches
- 1987–89:
Jean Galle - 1989–91: Jean-Paul Rebatet
- 1991–95: Laurent Buffard
- 1995–96: Alain Thinet (7 games) then Eric Girard (1 game) then Jean Galle
- 1996–2001: Eric Girard
- 2001–02:
Savo Vucević - 2002–03: Jean-François Martin
- 2003–04:
Erman KunterErman KunterErman Kunter is a legendary Turkish former professional basketball player and now coach of Cholet Basket. He played for İTÜ, Beşiktaş Istanbul, Eczacıbaşı, Yenişehir, Fenerbahçe Istanbul, and Çukurova Sanayispor... - 2004–06: Ruddy Nelhomme
- 2006–10: Erman KunterErman KunterErman Kunter is a legendary Turkish former professional basketball player and now coach of Cholet Basket. He played for İTÜ, Beşiktaş Istanbul, Eczacıbaşı, Yenişehir, Fenerbahçe Istanbul, and Çukurova Sanayispor...
- 2010– present: Erman KunterErman KunterErman Kunter is a legendary Turkish former professional basketball player and now coach of Cholet Basket. He played for İTÜ, Beşiktaş Istanbul, Eczacıbaşı, Yenişehir, Fenerbahçe Istanbul, and Çukurova Sanayispor...