ASVEL Basket, currently known as LDLC ASVEL for sponsorship reasons,[1] is a French professional basketball team that is located in the city of Villeurbanne, which is a suburb of Lyon, France. The club, which is the basketball section of the ASVEL multi-sports club, competes in the top-tier level French Pro A League. The club's home games are played at L'Astroballe, which seats 5,556 people.[2]

LDLC ASVEL
LDLC ASVEL logo
LeaguesLNB Élite
EuroLeague
Founded1948; 76 years ago (1948)
ArenaLDLC Arena
Astroballe
Capacity12,500
5,556
LocationVilleurbanne, Lyon, France
Main sponsorLDLC OL
PresidentTony Parker
Head coachPierrick Poupet
Championships21 French Championships
10 French Cups
2 French Supercups
1 French Federation Cup
1 French Leaders Cup
Retired numbers3 (4, 4, 5)
Websiteldlcasvel.com

Founded in 1948, the team is the most successful in French basketball with 21 LNB Élite championships and 10 French Cup titles.

In 2014, Tony Parker became the president of the club. In 2017, Nicolas Batum became the club's director of basketball operations. In June 2019, football club Olympique Lyonnais's holding company OL Groupe purchased a 25% stake in the ASVEL men's team, plus a 10% stake in the ASVEL women's team, in a deal worth around €3.7 million.[3] The deal also included a plan for a new EuroLeague-standard arena.[4]

History

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The parent club was founded in 1948, with the merger of two multi-sport clubs in Lyon and vicinity; ASVEL is an acronym combining the names of the predecessor clubs—Association Sportive Villeurbanne and Éveil Lyonnais. In its history, ASVEL has won 21 French Pro A League championships, 10 French Cups, two French Supercups, one French Federation Cup, and one Semaine des As Cup (French Pro A Leaders Cup), which makes it the most titled basketball club in France.

In 2014, former San Antonio Spurs star and France national team player, Tony Parker, became the club's president.

In the French Pro A League 2015–16 season, ASVEL won its 18th French League title, after beating Strasbourg IG 3 games to 2 in the French Pro A League Finals. ASVEL was down 2–0 in the series, but won three games in a row to take the championship.[5]

In March 2017, NBA player, Nicolas Batum, became a shareholder in Infinity Nine Sports, the main investment company behind the club, and took over the position as director of basketball operations. Tony Parker remained majority owner, and ASVEL President.[6] In 2018, the club signed a 10-year name sponsorship agreement with LDLC. The club also changed its main team colors from the original white and green to white and black, and changed its main logo design.[1]

In 2019, ASVEL returned to the EuroLeague after the organisation decided to give the team a wild card for two years.[7]

In the 2021–22 season, ASVEL won its third Pro A championship in a row, its first three-peat in 32 years after beating Monaco in the Finals.[8]

Arenas

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In July 2016, ASVEL announced that it would build a new multi-functional arena, with a projected seating capacity between 12,000 and 16,000 people, depending on the configuration.[9] The arena is projected to cost €60 million.[10] The new arena will be named the LDLC Arena, and its design and construction were given to architectural firm Populous and Citinea.[11] Construction began in January 2022 and was opened in November 2023.[12][9]

Logos and branding

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On September 11, 2018, the club changed its name to LDLC ASVEL for sponsorship reasons. Along with this change, the club changed its main colors from green to black and white.[13] The decision was made with the explanation that, "when you are European, green is a colour that does not make you dream", and was followed by criticism from fans.[14] The new logo, used since 2018, consists of the number four, which refers to ASVEL legend Alain Gilles, while also keeping the V that was used in the previous logo.

Honours

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Domestic competitions

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Winners (21): 1948–49, 1949–50, 1951–52, 1954–55, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1974–75, 1976–77, 1980–81, 2001–02, 2008–09, 2015–16, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22
Runners-up (7): 1953–54, 1958–59, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2002–03
Winners (10): 1952–53, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2007–08, 2018-19, 2020–21
Runners-up (5): 1953–54, 1954–55, 1958–59, 2001–02, 2015–16
Winners (2): 2010, 2023
Runners-up (2): 2017, 2020
Winners (2): 2009, 2016
Runners-up (1): 2008
Winners (1): 1983–84
Runners-up (1): 1981–82

European competitions

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Semifinalists (1): 1975–76
3rd place (1): 1977–78
4th place (1): 1996–97
Final Four (1): 1997
Runners-up (1): 1982–83
Semifinalists (2): 1984–85, 1986–87
Semifinalists (1): 1995–96
3rd place (2): 1953, 1966

Other competitions

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  • Villeurbanne, France Invitational Game
Winners (1): 2020

Season by season

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The ASVEL team during the 2008–09 season

Season by season results of the club in national, cup, and European competitions.

Season Tier League Pos. French Cup A Leaders Cup European competitions
2008–09 1 Pro A 1st Quarterfinalist Semifinalist 2 Eurocup RS
2009–10 1 Pro A 9th Round of 16 Champion 1 Euroleague RS
2010–11 1 Pro A 11th Semifinalist Semifinalist 1 Euroleague QR2
2 Eurocup RS
2011–12 1 Pro A 12th Round of 16 1 Euroleague QR2
2 Eurocup L16
2012–13 1 Pro A 3rd Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
2013–14 1 Pro A 7th Round of 32 2 Eurocup RS
2014–15 1 Pro A 6th Quarterfinalist 1 Euroleague QR3
2 Eurocup RS
2015–16 1 Pro A 1st Runner-up Semifinalist 3 FIBA Europe Cup L16
2016–17 1 Pro A 4th Round of 32 Runner-up 3 Champions League QF
2017–18 1 Pro A 6th Quarterfinals Semifinalist 2 EuroCup T16
2018–19 1 Pro A 1st Champion Quarterfinalist 2 EuroCup QF
2019–20 1 Pro A 1 1 Runner-up 1 EuroLeague RS1
2020–21 1 Pro A 1st Champion 1 EuroLeague RS
^1 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.

International record

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Season Achievement Notes
EuroLeague
1964–65 Quarter-finals eliminated by Real Madrid, 65–83 (L) in Villeurbanne and 65–84 (L) in Madrid
1966–67 Quarter-finals 4th place in a group with Simmenthal Milano, AŠK Olimpija and Racing Mechelen
1969–70 Quarter-finals 3rd place in a group with CSKA Moscow, Ignis Varese and Crvena zvezda
1975–76 Semi-finals eliminated by Real Madrid, 77–113 (L) in Madrid and 101–99 (W) in Villeurbanne
1977–78 Semi-final group stage 3rd place in a group with Real Madrid, Mobilgirgi Varese, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Jugoplastika and Alvik
1996–97 Final Four 4th place in Rome, lost to FC Barcelona 70–77 in the semi-final, lost to Smelt Olimpija 79–86 in the 3rd place game
1998–99 Quarter-finals eliminated 2–0 by Olympiacos, 57–70 (L) in Piraeus and 77–81 (L) in Villeurbanne
1999–00 Quarter-finals eliminated 2–1 by Efes Pilsen, 85–93 (L) in Istanbul, 77–60 (W) in Villeurbanne and 66-68 (L) in Istanbul
2000–01 Quarter-finals eliminated 2–0 by CSKA Moscow, 63–78 (L) in Moscow and 76–82 (L) in Villeurbanne
FIBA Saporta Cup
1967–68 Quarter-finals eliminated by Ignis Varese, 88–73 (W) in Villeurbanne and 51–70 (L) in Varese
1976–77 Quarter-finals 4th place in a group with Forst Cantù, Juventud Schweppes and Steaua București
1978–79 Quarter-finals 3rd place in a group with EBBC, Gabetti Cantù and Śląsk Wrocław
1982–83 Final lost to Scavolini Pesaro 99–111 in the final (Palma de Mallorca)
1984–85 Semi-finals eliminated by Žalgiris, 78–84 (L) in Kaunas and 93–88 (W) in Villeurbanne
1986–87 Semi-finals eliminated by Cibona, 82–98 (L) in Villeurbanne and 93–109 (L) in Zagreb
1997–98 Quarter-finals eliminated by Stefanel Milano, 58–67 (L) in Villeurbanne and 70–62 (W) in Milan
FIBA Korać Cup
1973–74 Semi-finals eliminated by Forst Cantù, 68–99 (L) in Cantù and 94–76 (W) in Villeurbanne
1995–96 Semi-finals eliminated by Stefanel Milano, 69–73 (L) in Milan and 72–81 (L) in Villeurbanne
EuroCup
2005–06 Quarter-finals eliminated by Aris TT Bank, 60–67 (L) in Villeurbanne and 67–77 (L) in Thessaloniki

Players

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Current roster

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LDLC ASVEL roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
G 1   Harrison, Shaquille 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 86 kg (190 lb) 31 – (1993-10-06)6 October 1993
F 2   Schofield, Admiral 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 109 kg (240 lb) 27 – (1997-03-30)30 March 1997
PG 3     Lee, Paris 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 84 kg (185 lb) 29 – (1995-04-20)20 April 1995
SF 5     Kahudi, Charles 1.99 m (6 ft 6 in) 100 kg (220 lb) 38 – (1986-07-19)19 July 1986
PG 6   Maledon, Théo 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 79 kg (174 lb) 23 – (2001-06-12)12 June 2001
F/C 7   Lauvergne, Joffrey 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) 118 kg (260 lb) 33 – (1991-09-30)30 September 1991
SF 8   Ajinça, Melvin 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 97 kg (214 lb) 20 – (2004-06-26)26 June 2004
SG 11   Jackson, Edwin   1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 91 kg (201 lb) 35 – (1989-09-18)18 September 1989
G 12   de Colo, Nando 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 91 kg (201 lb) 37 – (1987-06-23)23 June 1987
C 13   Sako, Neal 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) 102 kg (225 lb) 26 – (1998-08-13)13 August 1998
G/F 23   Lighty, David 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 98 kg (216 lb) 36 – (1988-05-27)27 May 1988
F 24   N'Diaye, Mbaye 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 92 kg (203 lb) 25 – (1999-01-04)4 January 1999
C 28   Black, Tarik 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 118 kg (260 lb) 33 – (1991-11-22)22 November 1991
G/F   Roberson, André 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 32 – (1991-12-04)4 December 1991
Head coach
  •   Pierric Poupet
Assistant coach(es)
  •   Jean-Christophe Prat
  •   Bryan George

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  •   Injured

Updated: November 8, 2024

Depth chart

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Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2 Bench 3
C Neal Sako Tarik Black Mbiya Paul
PF Admiral Schofield Joffrey Lauvergne Charles Kahudi Mbaye N'Diaye
SF André Roberson David Lighty Melvin Ajinça
SG Shaquille Harrison Nando de Colo Edwin Jackson
PG Théo Maledon Paris Lee Yohann Sissoko


Retired numbers

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LDLC ASVEL retired numbers
No. Player Position Tenure
4 Alain Gilles G 1965–1986
4 Delaney Rudd G 1993–1999
5 Amara Sy G 1999–2002, 2005–2007, 2008–2009, 2012–2015

Notable players

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Alain Gilles played 21 years with the club, and coached the team for 9 years.

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

Criteria

To appear in this section a player must have either:

  • Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club
  • Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time
  • Played at least one official NBA match at any time.

Head coaches

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Tenure Head Coach
1948–1955   André Buffière
1955–1956   Raymond Sahy
1956–1959   Georges Darcy
1959–1960   Raymond Sahy
1960–1963   Gérard Sturla
1963   Raymond Sahy
1963–1964   Henri Rey
1964–1967   Jesus Mercader
1967–1970   Maurice Buffière
1970   Michel Le Ray
1970–1972   Jacques Caballé
Tenure Head Coach
1972–1973   Jesus Mercader
1973–1980   André Buffière
1980–1989   Alain Gilles
1989–1990   Pierre Galle
1990–1991   Dominique Richard
1991–1992   Jean-Paul Rebatet
1992–2001   Grégor Beugnot
2001–2002   Bogdan Tanjević
2002–2004   Philippe Hervé
2004–2005   Erman Kunter
2005–2006   Claude Bergeaud
Tenure Head Coach
2006–2008   Yves Baratet
2008–2010   Vincent Collet
2010–2011   Nordine Ghrib
2011–2014   Pierre Vincent
2014   Nordine Ghrib
(interim head coach)
2014–2018     J. D. Jackson
2018   T. J. Parker
2018–2020   Zvezdan Mitrović
2020–2023   T. J. Parker
2023–2024   Gianmarco Pozzecco

Club Presidents

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Tenure Club President
1948–1963   Pierre Millet
1963–1988   Raphaël de Barros
1988–1990   Charles Hernu
1990   Philippe Charvieux
1990–1992   Gaston Charvieux
1992–2001   Marc Lefebvre
2001–2014   Gilles Moretton
2014–present   Tony Parker

Individual club records

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Individual club record holders, while players of ASVEL.

Category Player Club Tenure Record
Total Points Scored   Alain Gilles 1965–86 6,141
Points Per Game   Norris Bell 1984–88 21.8
Total Assists   Delaney Rudd 1993–99 1,208
Assists Per Game   Delaney Rudd 1993–99 7.3
Total Rebounds     Willie Redden 1983–92 1,472
Rebounds Per Game     Willie Redden 1983–92 8.5
Games Played   Alain Gilles 1965–86 372

ASVEL players with the most French League championships

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ASVEL players with the most French League championships won, while members of the club.

Player French Championships Club Tenure
  Alain Gilles 8 1965–86
  Henri Grange 7 1955–69
  Raymond Sahy 6 1948–57
  Alain Durand 5 1963–72
  Henri Rey 1949–60
  Michel Duprez 1968–77
  Gilbert Lamothe 1959–71
  Bruno Recoura 1967–75
  André Buffière 4 1948–55
  Michel Le Ray 1967–73
  Gérard Sturla 1951–60
  Jean-Pierre Castellier 1963–69
  Gérard Moroze 1967–75

Sponsors

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References

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  1. ^ a b "New logo and record contract for the naming rights of LCDC ASVEL". Archived from the original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  2. ^ "0 ME,Astroballe (5556 places)" (in French). Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  3. ^ "Lyon seal €3.7m Asvel investment deal". SportsPro. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  4. ^ "Lyon invests in Euroleague club, reveals arena plans". SportBusiness. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Villeurbanne completes total comeback to win the championship". Eurohoops. 14 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Nicolas Batum becomes shareholder of Tony Parker's ASVEL and director of basketball operations". Sportando. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  7. ^ "EuroLeague & EuroCup clubs, domestic leagues shape 2018-19 season". Euroleague Basketball. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2019.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Le triplé pour Lyon-Villeurbanne !". Betclic ELITE (in French). 25 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  9. ^ a b "First seat put in place at ASVEL's new arena! | Euroleague Basketball". Euroleague Basketball. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Villeurbanne: la future Arena de l'Asvel sera réalisée par le groupe Floriot et DCB International". Lemoniteur.fr. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  11. ^ "New Lyon venue to be named LDLC Arena". The Stadium Business. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  12. ^ Chabas, Gwendal (13 January 2022). "OL - Asvel : les travaux pour l'Arena ont débuté". Olympique & Lyonnais (in French). Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Un Naming unique et innovant". LDLC ASVEL. Archived from the original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  14. ^ "Basket. LDLC Asvel : "Quand on est européen, le vert n'est pas une couleur qui fait rêver"" (in French). Ouest-France. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
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