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KK Mega Basket

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Mega MIS
Mega MIS logo
LeaguesKLS
Adriatic League
Founded23 December 1998; 25 years ago (1998-12-23)
HistoryKK Avala Ada
1998–2005
KK Mega Basket
2005–present
ArenaRanko Žeravica Hall
Capacity5,000
LocationBelgrade, Serbia
Team colorsPink
 
PresidentVelimir Mihailović
General managerGoran Ćakić
Team managerNovica Veličković
Head coachMarko Barać
Affiliation(s)ŽKK Art Basket
(2017–present)
OKK Beograd
(2018–present)
Championships1 National Cup
Websitebcmegabasket.net

Košarkaški klub Mega Basket (Serbian Cyrillic: Кошаркашки клуб Мега Баскет), currently referred to as Mega MIS for sponsorship reasons, is a men's professional basketball club based in Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a founding member and shareholder of the Adriatic Basketball Association.[1]

In addition to Belgrade, the club also played its home games in Kruševac (2012–13 season), Smederevo (2013–14 season), and Sremska Mitrovica (2014–2019). The club participates in the KLS and the ABA League.

History

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The Avala Ada era (1998–2005)

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KK Avala Ada (Serbian Cyrillic: КК Авала Ада) was established on 23 December 1998 by a group of basketball enthusiasts, all employed at the Avala Ada packaging factory located in the Viline Vode neighbourhood on the outskirts of Belgrade. Finally implemented in late 1998, the idea of launching a full-fledged basketball club within the state-owned factory's legal framework had been considered since summer 1995, initially on the heels of yet another participation of Avala Ada employees in basketball competitions at the Workers' Sporting Games (Radničke sportske igre; state-funded excursionary social, leisure, and team building gatherings featuring semi-formal sporting competitions for employees within various industries). Even prior to 1995, Avala Ada employees had regularly participated at the Workers' Sporting Games, continually placing high against basketball select squads of other factories/companies within the packaging industry in FR Yugoslavia and also earlier in pre-1992 SFR Yugoslavia. Though the idea of launching a more formal and permanent basketball program within the factory had been bandied around since 1995, the immediate catalyst for its late 1998 formation turned out to be the factory basketball team's notable showing at the 1998 Workers' Sporting Games in Divčibare several months earlier during summer 1998. Furthermore, having already secured a steady revenue and regular customer base allowed the company to financially support such a venture outside of its core business activity. Within months, Košarkaški klub Avala Ada (Avala Ada Basketball Club) was established as a legal entity within the Avala Ada sports society that was formed simultaneously.[2][3]

With KK Avala Ada's management—club president Veljko Grujić and sporting director Velimir Mihailović—appointed from the factory employee ranks, coaching hires were made from outside the factory: young head coach Miodrag "Miša" Perišić and his assistant Rade Orlović.[2][3] Players on the roster were also a mix of factory's employees and outside acquisitions: the team's first captain was the factory's commercial director Bratislav Gajić.

The newly-established club started out in the lowest rank of the FR Yugoslavia basketball system: Belgrade Municipal League, the so-called "Concrete League" (Beton liga), fifth tier of competition in the country. In the early summer of 1999, the club won the Belgrade Municipal League (played outdoors only during summer), thus qualifying for the Serbian Second League (4th-tier competition on the FR Yugoslavia basketball pyramid). Playing the 1999–2000 season in the fourth-tier Serbian Second League, the Perišić-coached club set an ambitious goal of gaining promotion on its first try and succeeded.[2][3]

The 2000–01 season was played in the third-tier Serbian First League, finishing third and barely missing out on promotion. Head coach Miša Perišić left the club after eventful two and a half years, taking the offer from the Serbian First League rivals KK Nova Pazova. The following 2001–02 season, Avala Ada finished third again, failing to gain promotion to the higher rank.

In the 2002–03 season, with Miša Perišić returning to the club as head coach, the club again missed promotion based on the league standing, however, it managed to qualify to the federal First B League through playoffs in Novi Bečej, beating Vrbas and KK Zeta.[3]

Playing its first season, 2003–04, in the country-wide federal rank in the second-tier First B League (Serbian group), Avala Ada finished third thus missing promotion to the top league. Also, in 2003, Avala Ada packaging factory (founded in 1946) was privatized after 57 years of public ownership.[4] Its new private owner Nebojša Šaranović was entirely not keen on continuing the financial support of a basketball club within his newly-acquired packaging factory asset and thus set about carving KK Avala Ada out of the factory's structure with the intention of selling it.

Before the start of the 2004–05 season, the most significant development in club's short history occurred—it was taken over by the Miško Ražnatović-owned BeoBasket sports agency.[3]

The Mega Basket era (2005–present)

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Based on its performance in the 2004–05 season, Avala Ada managed to gain promotion to the Serbia-Montenegro top-tier league. During the 2005–06 campaign, playing its first top flight season, the club changed its name to KK Mega Basket on 19 December 2005.[3][5] At the same time, it signed a sponsorship deal with the Smederevo-based Ishrana food company, leading to the club competing as Mega Ishrana until 2007.[3] The team got relegated at the end of the 2005–06 season, however, the May 2006 Montenegrin independence referendum that meant that Montenegro would become a fully independent state also resulted in the basketball league being re-organized and Mega Ishrana remaining in Serbia's top-tier basketball league.

Later, also via a naming-rights sponsorship deal, the club was called Mega Aqua Monta for the 2007–08 season, and Mega Hypo Leasing in the 2008–09 season.

In August 2009, before the start of the 2009–10 season, another Belgrade-based club KK Vizura merged into KK Mega Hypo Leasing, and the club was renamed KK Mega Vizura. In November 2014, the club changed its name to Mega Leks due to sponsorship reasons.[6] In 2016, Mega Leks won its first trophy ever when it beat KK Partizan 86–80 in the Serbian Cup Final.[7] In 2017, the club changed its name to Mega Bemax due to sponsorship reasons.

On June 14, 2018, the club signed a contract on sports and technical cooperation with OKK Beograd.[8][9] Later that summer, on August 11, 2018, the club played a pre-season preparation game under NCAA basketball rules against the most recent NCAA tournament Southern Regional semifinalist University of Kentucky men's basketball team at the Imperial Arena on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, losing heavily 100–64.[10] Some ten days later, on August 23, 2018, Mega played the University of Michigan men's basketball team, recent NCAA tournament runner-up, this time under FIBA rules, in Sant Julià de Vilatorta, Spain and winning 81–73.[11]

As an organization focused primarily on showcasing its roster and providing a springboard platform for player transfers to bigger clubs in Europe and the NBA, in summer 2019, Mega continued the pre-season practice of travelling to the Bahamas to face off against top U.S. collegiate teams in preparatory games. This time, it was two games against the Texas Tech University basketball team, most recently the NCAA tournament runner-up; Texas Tech won the first contest 94–92 on August 16, 2019 at Imperial Arena on Paradise Island while Mega won 73–76 four days later at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

On September 15, 2020, the club changed its name to Mega Soccerbet for the 2020–21 season due to sponsorship reasons.[12][13] On October 28, 2021, the club changed its name to Mega Mozzart for the 2021–22 season due to sponsorship reasons.[14] In July 2022, the club changed its name to Mega MIS for the 2022–23 season due to sponsorship reasons.[15][16]

Sponsorship naming

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The club has had several denominations through the years due to its sponsorship:

  • Mega Ishrana (2005–2007)
  • Mega Aqua Monta (2007–2008)
  • Mega Hypo Leasing (2008–2009)
  • Mega Vizura (2009–2014)
  • Mega Leks (2014–2017)
  • Mega Bemax (2017–2020)
  • Mega Soccerbet (2020–2021)
  • Mega Mozzart (2021–2022)
  • Mega MIS (2022–present)

Home arenas

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Main article: Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall
Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall

Mega Basket plays their ABA League domestic home games at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall, located in the Belgrade municipality of New Belgrade. The arena, then named New Belgrade Sports Hall, was built in 1968. It has a seating capacity of 5,000. Mega Basket plays their BLS home matches at the Mega Factory Hall.

The club has had several home arenas through the years in four cities:

Players

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Main page: Category:KK Mega Basket players

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.

Mega MIS roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
PG 2 Serbia Milijašević, Ilija 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) 20 – (2004-02-06)6 February 2004
PF 4 Croatia Jelavić, Andrija 2.07 m (6 ft 9 in) 20 – (2004-05-26)26 May 2004
PG 8 Serbia Milutinović, Mihailo 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 21 – (2003-03-21)21 March 2003
F 19 Serbia Marković, Bogoljub 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) 86 kg (190 lb) 19 – (2005-07-12)12 July 2005
PF 34 Serbia Jović, Filip 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) 19 – (2005-02-01)1 February 2005
SF 88 Slovakia Malovec, Timotej 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) 81 kg (179 lb) 20 – (2004-04-25)25 April 2004
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Team manager
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (L) On loan
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured
Updated: February 12, 2024

Depth chart

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Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2
C Dušan Tanasković Bogoljub Marković
PF Andrija Jelavić Filip Jović Aleksa Milenković
SF Timotej Malovec
SG Sergej Macura Mihailo Petrović
PG Kosta Kondić Jack Kayil Andrej Mušicki

Players at the NBA draft

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See also: List of NBA drafted players from Serbia
* Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game and All-NBA Team
# Denotes player who has never appeared in an NBA regular season or playoff game
Year Rnd. Pick Player Pos. Drafted by
2007 2 60 Serbia Milovan Raković# C Dallas Mavericks (traded to Chicago Bulls)
2014 2 41 Serbia Nikola Jokić* C Denver Nuggets
2014 2 52 Serbia Vasilije Micić PG Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Oklahoma City Thunder)
2014 2 54 Serbia Nemanja Dangubić# SF Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Brooklyn Nets)
2016 1 24 France Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot G/F Philadelphia 76ers
2016 2 32 Croatia Ivica Zubac C Los Angeles Lakers
2016 2 35 Serbia Rade Zagorac# SF Boston Celtics (traded to Memphis Grizzlies)
2017 2 49 Slovenia Vlatko Čančar SF Denver Nuggets
2017 2 58 Serbia Ognjen Jaramaz# PG New York Knicks
2017 2 60 Guinea Alpha Kaba# PF/C Atlanta Hawks
2019 1 18 Georgia (country) Goga Bitadze C Indiana Pacers
2020 2 44 Montenegro Marko Simonović C Chicago Bulls
2021 2 50 Serbia Filip Petrušev PF/C Philadelphia 76ers
2022 1 27 Serbia Nikola Jović SF Miami Heat
2022 2 52 Croatia Karlo Matković C New Orleans Pelicans (from Utah Jazz)
2024 2 43 Serbia Nikola Đurišić# SG/SF Miami Heat (traded to Atlanta Hawks)

Coaches

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Main pages: Category:KK Mega Basket coaches and Category:KK Avala Ada coaches
Avala Ada
Mega Basket

Season-by-season

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Season Tier Division Pos. Postseason W–L National Cup Regional competitions European competitions
2005–06 1 BLSM First League 10 — 9–13 — — —
2006–07 1 BLS First League 3 SL 6th 16–20 Quarterfinalist — —
2007–08 1 BLS First League 5 — 12–10 — — —
2008–09 1 BLS First League 5 — 15–11 — Balkan League 3rd 6–6 —
2009–10 1 BLS First League 8 — 13–13 — — —
2010–11 1 BLS First League 4 SL 8th 18–22 Quarterfinalist — —
2011–12 1 BLS First League 4 SL 6th 22–18 Quarterfinalist — —
2012–13 1 BLS First League 2 Semifinalist 30–13 Semifinalist — —
2013–14 1 BLS Super League 3 Semifinalist 9–7 Runners-up ABA League 8 12–14 —
2014–15 1 BLS Super League 4 Semifinalist 7–9 Runners-up ABA League 10 11–15 —
2015–16 1 BLS Super League B2 Semifinalist 4–4 Winners ABA League 2nd 19–12 —
2016–17 1 BLS Super League 4 Semifinalist 9–7 Semifinalist ABA League 6 11–15 Champions League 7th 4–10
2017–18 1 BLS Super League A3 Quarterfinals 8–6 Semifinalist ABA 1st League 9 8–14 —
2018–19 1 BLS Super League B2 Semifinalist 7–5 Semifinalist ABA 1st League 5 10–12 —
2019–20 1 BLS Super League Abandoned Semifinalist ABA 1st League Abd 6–15 —
2020–21 1 BLS Super League NH Runners-up 5–3 Runners-up ABA 1st League 6 14–12 —
2021–22 1 BLS Super League NH Semifinalist 7–2 Semifinalist ABA 1st League 10 10–16 —

Trophies and awards

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See also: List of basketball clubs in Serbia by major honours won

Trophies

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Individual awards

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Management and staff

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Current officeholders are:

Current head coaches are:[20]

Notable players

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See also: Category:KK Avala Ada players

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.

International record

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Season Achievement Notes
Basketball Champions League
2016–17 Regular season 7th in Group D with SIG Strasbourg, Sidigas Avellino, Iberostar Tenerife, Telenet Oostende, Cibona, Juventus, and Mornar (4–10)

References

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  1. ^ "Company registration info: ABA LIGA j.t.d." aba-liga.com. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Otišao "da pogine", pa osvojio Afriku! Perišić za MONDO: Beton liga, državni udari, pa tripleta za istoriju!". mondo.ba. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Istorijat košarkaškog kluba "Mega Basket" Beograd". beoexcell.net. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  4. ^ "KAKO IZGLEDA CONTROLLING U FABRICI SMURFIT KAPPA (AVALA ADA)?". mcb.rs. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  5. ^ "BC AVALA ADA CHANGED NAME TO BC MEGA ISHRANA". beoexcell.net. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Mega Vizura postala Mega Leks". vijesti.me. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  7. ^ ISTORIJSKI KUP KORAĆA ZA MEGU! (in Serbian)
  8. ^ "Mega i OKK Beograd potpisali ugovor o saradnji". b92.net. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  9. ^ "POTPISANA SARADNJA Megini talenti u OKK Beogradu". sport.blic.rs. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  10. ^ "UK Basketball hammers Mega Bemax". aseaofblue.com. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  11. ^ "UK Basketball hammers Mega Bemax". The Detroit News. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  12. ^ "PROMENILI IME! Košarkaški klub Mega Bemaks se od danas VIŠE NE ZOVE TAKO!". sport.blic.rs. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Soccer novi glavni sponzor Mege". sportklub.rs. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  14. ^ "MEGA I MOZZART PONOVO ZAJEDNO!". bcmegabasket.net. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  15. ^ "ZAOKRET: Košarkaški klub Mega promenio ime". novosti.rs. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  16. ^ "MEDICAL INNOVATION SOLUTIONS NOVI NASLOVNI SPONZOR MEGE!". bcmegabasket.net. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  17. ^ "Kadija preuzima Avala Adu?". b92.net. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  18. ^ a b "Djurović trener Mega Ishrane umesto Popovića". mondo.rs. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  19. ^ "Vlado Đurović trener Mega Ishrane". b92.net. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Juniori i kadeti KK Mega Soccerbet". bcmegabasket.net. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
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