ZZ Leiden Basketball, also known as Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden, is a professional basketball club based in Leiden, Netherlands. The club plays in the BNXT League, the domestic first tier league. Their home games are played at Sportcomplex 1574.[1]

ZZ Leiden
ZZ Leiden logo
LeaguesBNXT League
Founded23 September 1958; 66 years ago (1958-09-23)
History
List
  • BS Leiden
    (1958–1967)
    Mercasol Leiden
    (1967-1977)
    Parker Leiden
    (1977–1983)
    Elmex Leiden
    (1983–1986)
    Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden
    (2006–present)
ArenaSportcomplex 1574
Capacity2,435
LocationLeiden, Netherlands
Team colorsBlue, Navy, White, Green
       
Main sponsorZorg en Zekerheid
PresidentMarcel Verburg
Team managerRob van Hooven
Head coachDoug Spradley
2022–23 positionBNXT, 1st of 20 (champions)
Championships2 BNXT League
6 Dutch Championships
4 Dutch Cups
4 Dutch Supercups
Retired numbers1 (6)
Websitewww.eredivisiebasketballleiden.nl
Europe jersey
Team colours
Europe

ZZ Leiden has won the national championship five times, the NBB Cup four times, the Dutch Supercup a record four times and the BNXT championship twice in a row. Leiden was a European Club Winner's Cup semi-finalist in 1980. They also made the semi-finals of the FIBA Europe Cup in 2022.

History

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The old Leiden team (1958–1986)

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Tony Parker, Sr. (right) going up against René Ridderhof (left), while playing for Parker Leiden in 1980. In the background: Mitchell 'Mitch' Plaat (#7).

On September 23, 1958, the club was founded as Bona Stars by Ton Kallenberg, a physical education professor at a school in Leiden. In 1967 the club entered the eredivisie, the highest professional basketball league in the Netherlands under the name BS Leiden.

When Parker became the main sponsor of the club in 1977 Leiden won its first national championship (1977/1978). During this era the team finished five times as runners-up in the league. In 1979/1980 Leiden reached the semi-finals of the European Club Winner's Cup (later: Saporta Cup, ULEB Cup or EuroCup), their best European result up till now. In 1986, Leiden was forced to leave the eredivisie, due to the absence of a main sponsor. The team played five years in the Promotiedivisie, the highest non-professional league, before pulling out of the Dutch basketball pyramid.

The Rise of ZZ (2006–2010)

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On February 16, 2006, it was announced that Leiden would return at the highest stage in the Netherlands.[2] The team got a new main sponsor in Zorg en Zekerheid and would play its games in the Vijf Meihal.

After being quarter- and semifinalist in a few seasons, Leiden returned to the top of the Netherlands in 2010. Leading players of the ZZ team were Danny Gibson, who was named the DBL Most Valuable Player Award in 2009–10, and Seamus Boxley. The club won its first NBB Cup, by beating ABC Amsterdam in the championship game. In the Semi-final, heavy favorites Groningen were defeated. In the Playoffs Semi-finals, ZZ once again faced Groningen. The team put up a fight against the top seed, but eventually fell short 3–2.

Back at the top of Dutch basketball (2010–present)

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In the 2010–11 season, ZZ Leiden came back on top of the Dutch basketball world as best club. In the regular season, the team finished first. The second DBL title was eventually won, after beating Groningen 4–3 in the Finals. The deciding game 7 turned out to be historic, including three overtimes, which ended in 96–95.[3]

The following year the team its second NBB Cup, but was defeated in the Finals of the DBL. ZZ Leiden also reached the Round of 16 in the EuroChallenge 2011-12 after their second place in the first group stage this season. In 2013 the team got its third national championship, by going undefeated in the play-offs and beating Aris Leeuwarden in the Finals.

The 2013–14 was a struggling one for Leiden. The team ended on the 4th place in the regular season and lost in the Semifinals to Groningen. After the end of the season, Leiden decided to part ways with head coach Toon van Helfteren.[4] Van Helfteren eventually won six trophies with Leiden.

Main sponsor Zorg en Zekerheid extended their contract with 3 years in the 2014 offseason,[5] and a new head coach was signed in Eddy Casteels.[6] In the 2014–15 season, Leiden finished 2nd in the regular season, but once again was eliminated by Groningen in the Semi-finals.

In 2019, Leiden won the NBB Cup after defeating Landstede Zwolle 87–69 in the final.[7]

On 17 May 2020, Leiden signed Geert Hammink as its new head coach for the 2020–21 season.[8] Leiden went on to capture its fourth DBL championship.[9] Star players of the team were league MVP Emmanuel Nzekwesi and Playoffs MVP Worthy de Jong.

Since the 2021–22 season, Leiden plays in the BNXT League, in which the national leagues of Belgium and the Netherlands have been merged.[10] On 11 June 2022, Leiden won the inaugural BNXT championship.[11] De Jong was named the league's Finals MVP and retired from professional basketball after. Leiden also had its best performance in Europe ever, reaching the semifinals of the 2021–22 FIBA Europe Cup.

After the successful season, coach Hammink signed with Skyliners Frankfurt;[12] star player Worthy de Jong retired from professional basketball. In July 2022, Roberts Štelmahers was acquired as the club's new head coach.[13] However, Stelmahers later signed another contract with Nymburk in the Czech Republic, causing Leiden to seek a replacement.[14] On August 15, Leiden signed Doug Spradley as new head coach to a one-year contract.[15]

On 12 March 2023, ZZ Leiden won their fourth-ever Cup title after beating Landstede Hammers 72–70 in the Landstede Sportcentrum.[16] On 29 May 2023, they won their fifth national title following a Game 5 win over Donar, despite trailing by 16 points 2:40 before the ending of the game. Thomas Rutherford scored two game-winning free throws to seal the championship. The win meant that Leiden won its first national double (both the league and cup titles) in club history.[17]

Arenas

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Panorama view of the Vijf Meihal

From its re-inception in 2006 to 2023, Leiden used the Vijf Meihal as its home arena. The arena, which is also used for gymnastics of high school students, is nicknamed De Schuur (The Barn) by ZZ Leiden fans.

Move to Sportcomplex 1574

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The municipality of Leiden replaced the Vijf Meihal with the newly built Sportcomplex 1574, which was announced to have a capacity of 2,435 people.[18] The new name was later announced to be Sportcomplex 1574, named after the year of the Siege of Leiden after which the city was liberated from Spanish rule.[19] Construction of the €24 million arena began in 2021 and finished in 2023.[20][21] The sporting hall was named the "Aad van der Luit Topsporthal". The decision by the municipality of Leiden to build was heavily criticized by ZZ Leiden as the number of seats is below FIBA's minimum of 3,000 seats for international games. In its first season, ZZ Leiden was forced to withdraw from the Basketball Champions League because of the size of the Sportcomplex 1574.[22] On 15 October 2023, the inaugural basketball game was played at the arena when Leiden played BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque in the FIBA Europe Cup.[23]

Logos and names

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  • Parker Leiden (1977–1983)
  • Elmex Leiden (1983–1986)
  • Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden (2006–present)

Club records

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The list only includes records since ZZ Leiden was established in 2006. Bold denotes still active with team. As of the end of the 2019–20 season:

Most points scored
Player Points
Worthy de Jong 5,686
Mohamed Kherrazi 2,538
Seamus Boxley 2,429
Arvin Slagter 1,407
Clayton Vette 1,377
Most rebounds
Player Rebounds
Worthy de Jong 2,231
Mohamed Kherrazi 1,940
Seamus Boxley 1,064
Johan Kuijper 775
David Chiotti 751
Most assists
Player Assists
Worthy de Jong 1,247
Mohamed Kherrazi 684
Arvin Slagter 540
Rogier Jansen 491
J.S. Nash 445

Players

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Current roster

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

ZZ Leiden roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Age
G 0   Cook, Aaron 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 26 – (1997-12-28)28 December 1997
G 1   Melfor, Savior 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) 19 – (2005-02-12)12 February 2005
G 2   Maconda, José Dimitri 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 22 – (2001-11-28)28 November 2001
G 4   Davis, Jordan 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 25 – (1998-12-13)13 December 1998
G 8   Lall, T.J. 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 28 – (1996-10-27)27 October 1996
F 9   Van den Elzen, Stan 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 24 – (2000-05-27)27 May 2000
PF 10   Schaftenaar, Roeland 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) 36 – (1988-07-29)29 July 1988
F 11   Bos, Duko 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 22 – (2002-08-05)5 August 2002
F 12   Sicking, Jibbe 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) 19 – (2004-12-25)25 December 2004
PF 13   Huurman, Sam 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) 23 – (2001-05-11)11 May 2001
F 17   Kruithof, Lucas 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 24 – (2000-07-17)17 July 2000
G 21   van Zeil, Loek 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 18 – (2006-02-09)9 February 2006
C 22   Cartier, Patrick 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) 24 – (2000-01-01)1 January 2000
F 24   Ngouateu, Wamba 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 18 – (2006-01-10)10 January 2006
C 55   Greene, Brad 2.12 m (6 ft 11 in) 26 – (1998-05-20)20 May 1998
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  •   Jan Stalman
  •   Michael Meskers

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  •   Injured

Updated: November 3, 2024

Retired numbers

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ZZ Leiden retired numbers
Player Position Tenure Ceremony date
6 Worthy de Jong SG 2010–2016, 2017–2022 October 22, 2022[24]

Notable players

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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.

Individual awards

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Trophies

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National competitions

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Regional competitions

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Season by season

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Season Tier League Pos. Cup Supercup BNXT League European competitions
1967–68 1 Eredivisie 6th
1968–69 1 Eredivisie 8th
1969–70 1 Eredivisie 5th
1970–71 1 Eredivisie 3rd
1971–72 1 Eredivisie 8th
1972–73 1 Eredivisie 6th
1973–74 1 Eredivisie 7th
1974–75 1 Eredivisie 5th
1975–76 1 Eredivisie 10th
1976–77 1 Eredivisie 10th
1977–78 1 Eredivisie 1st
1978–79 1 Eredivisie 2nd 1 Champions Cup
1979–80 1 Eredivisie 2nd 2 Saporta Cup
1980–81 1 Eredivisie 2nd 2 Saporta Cup
1981–82 1 Eredivisie 3rd 2 Saporta Cup
1982–83 1 Eredivisie 3rd 3 Korac Cup
1983–84 1 Eredivisie 2nd
1984–85 1 Eredivisie
2nd
1985–86 1 Eredivisie 4th
1986–91 Five seasons in Promotiedivisie
1991–06 Inactivity
2006–07 1 Eredivisie 8th Quarterfinalist
2007–08 1 Eredivisie 9th
2008–09 1 Eredivisie 8th
2009–10 1 Eredivisie 3rd Champion
2010–11 1 DBL 1st Champion 3 EuroChallenge
2011–12 1 DBL 2nd Fourth round Champion 3 EuroChallenge
2012–13 1 DBL
1st
Semifinalist Champion
2013–14 1 DBL
4th
Runner-up Runner-up 3 EuroChallenge
2014–15 1 DBL
3rd
Semifinalist Runner–up
2015–16 1 DBL
3rd
Runner-up 3 FIBA Europe Cup
2016–17 1 DBL
3rd
Quarterfinalist
2017–18 1 DBL 2nd Runners-up
2018–19 1 DBL 3rd Champions Runner-up 4 FIBA Europe Cup
2019–20 1 DBL 5th[a] Quarterfinals Runner-up 4 FIBA Europe Cup
2020–21 1 DBL 1st Quarterfinals
2021–22 1 BNXT 3rd Semifinalist Champion 3 Champions League
4 FIBA Europe Cup
2022–23 1 BNXT Winner
  1. ^ The 2019–20 season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

International record

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ZZ Leiden made its debut in the European stage in 1978 when it entered the European Champions Cup. In 1982, Leiden played in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, qualifying as hosts of the competition.

Record
Competition GP W D L %
1 FIBA Champions Cup / EuroLeague 6 5 1 .833
2 FIBA Saporta Cup / ULEB Cup / Eurocup 28 16 12 .571
3 Basketball Champions League / Korac Cup / EuroChallenge 32 10 22 .313
4 FIBA Europe Cup (since 2016/2017) 46 23 23 .500
Total 112 54 58 .482

Key

  • (N) = Neutral venue
Season Competition Round Club Home Away Advanced
1978–79 European Champions Cup   Crystal Palace Chevrons 125–89 88–96  
  Joventut Badalona 101–89 97–82
  Södertälje 115–86 76–77
1979–80 European Cup Winners′ Cup   Caen 106–77 81–92  
  Panathinaikos 95–86 88–86
  Gabetti Cantù 112–108 100–86
  Emerson Varese 87–89 95–87
1980–81 European Cup Winners′ Cup   Hapoel Ramat-Gan 92–87 97–96
  Verviers-Pepinster 93–73 70–83
  Turisanda Varese 85-84 92–74  
  FC Barcelona 76-97 105-90
  Efes Pilsen 91-72 86-90
1981–82 European Cup Winners′ Cup   Soleuvre 107–50 57–94
  AEK Athens 102–67 78–89
  Stroitel Kyiv 69-72 74–76  
  Inter Slovnaft Brastislava 86-83 83-96
  Real Madrid 90-98 97-90
1982 FIBA Intercontinental Cup RS   Ferro Carril Oeste 68–81 6th (of 6)
  Cantù 75–92
  EBBC Den Bosch 64–71
  Air Force Falcons 95–86
  Maccabi Tel Aviv 79–92
1982–83 Korać Cup   Olympiacos 92–69 71-70
  Tours 68–67 84-80  
2010–11 EuroChallenge   Karşıyaka 65–87 77–63  
2011–12 EuroChallenge   Beşiktaş Milangaz 58–86 76–69  
  Mgzavrebi-Armia Tbilisi 76–59 74–71
  Göttingen 80–71 71–80
  Ventspils 57–60 69–73  
  EWE Baskets Oldenburg 76–71 85–62
  Chorale Roanne 63–68 91–56
2013–14 EuroChallenge   Kataja 72–58 77–63  
  Bakken Bears 61–62 79–81
  Cholet 67–76 74–52
2015–16 EuroChallenge   Skyliners Frankfurt 51–76 63–58  
  Krka 78–86 79–51
  FC Porto 77–51 62–70
2018–19 FIBA Europe Cup
QR1
  Kapfenberg Bulls 68–57 62–79  
RS   s.Oliver Würzburg 65–75 87–61  
  Sakarya Büyükşehir 99–97 56–59
  Oradea 90–76 72–76
R2   Kataja 87–72 92–80  
  Avtodor Saratov 72–97 105–81
  Bakken Bears 89–85 111–71
R16
  Dinamo Sassari 93–97 94–68  
2019–20 FIBA Europe Cup
QR1
  Beroe 108–86 86–71  
RS   Benfica 84–68 103–99  
  Inter Bratislava 80–67 79–88
  Pécsi VSK-Veolia 105–100 87–77
R2   Pınar Karşıyaka 65–105 112–67  
  Bahçeşehir Koleji 87–89 93–71
  Enisey 89–83 96–84
2021–22 Champions League
QR1
  Belfius Mons-Hainaut 76–74 (N)  
QR2
  Tsmoki-Minsk 67–69 (N)
FIBA Europe Cup
RS
  Iraklis Saloniki 71–63 83–92  
  Mornar Bar 78–73 87–74
  Bahçeşehir Koleji 69–79 84–61
R2
  Medi Bayreuth 98–93 84–89  
  Parma Perm Parimatch 79–75 88–91
  Legia Warsaw 78–90 59–77
QF
  Hakro Merlins Crailsheim 85–77 71–68  
SF
  Bahçeşehir Koleji 71–77 90–82  
2022–23 FIBA Europe Cup QR1   Czarni Słupsk 78–74 (N)
QR2   Cholet 59–71 (N)

List of head coaches

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Club symbol Toon van Helfteren played for and coached the team
Coach From To Honours
  Henry Blom 1975 1981
  Ton Boot 1981
  Theo Kinsbergen 1982
  Ruud Harrewijn 1983 1986
  Ivo Boom 2006 2008
  Toon van Helfteren 2008 2014 2 Dutch Basketball Leagues, 2 NBB Cups, 2 Dutch Supercups
  Eddy Casteels 2014 2016
  Paul Vervaeck 2016 2018
  Rolf Franke 2018 2020 1 Dutch Cup
  Geert Hammink 2020 2022 1 BNXT League, 1 Supercup DBL,1 Dutch Basketball League
    Doug Spradley 2022 present 1 Dutch Cup

References

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  1. ^ "Dutch Basketball League - Teams" (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  2. ^ "BS Leiden terug in Eredivisie" (in Dutch). Sleutelstad. 14 February 2006. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  3. ^ "ZZ Leiden kampioen" (in Dutch). NOS. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  4. ^ "ZZ Leiden niet verder met coach Toon van Helfteren". Omroepwest.nl. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Zorg en Zekerheid nog drie jaar basketbalsponsor Leiden". Omroep West (in Dutch). 29 May 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  6. ^ "Eddy Casteels wordt ook coach van Nederlandse Leiden". HLN.be (in Dutch). 30 May 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  7. ^ "Basketballers ZZ Leiden veroveren nationale beker". nos.nl. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  8. ^ "Geert Hammink nieuwe coach ZZ Leiden". Eredivisiebasketballleiden.nl. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  9. ^ "Ruime zege bezorgt basketballers Leiden eerste landstitel sinds 2013". nos.nl (in Dutch). 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Licenties BNXT League 2021-2022 toegekend". Basketball League (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  11. ^ a b "ZZ Leiden first BNXT League champion". BNXT League. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  12. ^ "Offiziell: Geert Hammink übernimmt die Skyliners Frankfurt in der Basketball-Bundesliga". hessenschau.de (in German). 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Roberts Stelmahers nieuwe coach van ZZ Leiden". www.eredivisiebasketballleiden.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Onaangename verrassing voor ZZ Leiden". www.eredivisiebasketballleiden.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Douglas Spradley nieuwe coach ZZ Leiden". www.eredivisiebasketballleiden.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  16. ^ "Leiden wint spannende basketbalfinale van Zwolle, dat die beker maar niet kan winnen". nos.nl (in Dutch). 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Spektakel in basketbalfinale, ZZ Leiden sleept titel voor de poorten van de hel weg". nos.nl (in Dutch). 29 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  18. ^ "Indoor Sportcentrum". Gemeente Leiden. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  19. ^ RadioGuys.nl. "Indoor Sportcentrum heet Sportcomplex 1574". Sleutelstad. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  20. ^ RadioGuys.nl. "Bouw Indoor Sportcentrum start eind van het jaar". Sleutelstad. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  21. ^ Dieleman, Tom (2 September 2023). "ZZ Leiden staat voor stap naar hal van 24 miljoen euro: 'Er is zó veel mis'". www.omroepwest.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  22. ^ Weber, Natasja (28 June 2023). "Basketballers ZZ Leiden moeten Champions League laten schieten: te weinig zitplaatsen op de tribunes". De Volksrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  23. ^ "ZZ Leiden allereerste keer in nieuwe hal". www.eredivisiebasketballleiden.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Worthy is een Leidenaar!". www.eredivisiebasketballleiden.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  25. ^ a b "Landskampioenen, bekerwinnaars en competitiewinnaars" (in Dutch). J-dus.com. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  26. ^ "Super Cup" (in Dutch). J-dus.com. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
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52°08′57.1″N 4°28′35.0″E / 52.149194°N 4.476389°E / 52.149194; 4.476389