| Split | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Nickname | Žuti (The Yellows) | ||
| Leagues | ABA League Croatian League | ||
| Founded | 1945; 79 years ago | ||
| History | KK Hajduk (1945–1949) KK Split (1949–1967) KK Jugoplastika (1967–1990) KK POP 84 (1990–1991) KK Slobodna Dalmacija (1991–1993) KK Croatia Osiguranje (1993–1997) KK Split (1997–present) | ||
| Arena | Arena Gripe | ||
| Capacity | 3,500 | ||
| Location | Split, Croatia | ||
| Team colors | Yellow and Black | ||
| President | Ante Vuković | ||
| General manager | Dejan Žaja | ||
| Head coach | Slaven Rimac | ||
| Team captain | Shannon Shorter | ||
| Championships | 3 EuroLeague 2 Korać Cup 3 Triple Crown 1 Croatian Championship 5 Croatian Cups 6 Yugoslav Championships 5 Yugoslav Cups | ||
| Website | www | ||
| |||
Košarkaški klub Split (English: Split Basketball Club), commonly referred to as KK Split or simply Split, is a men's professional basketball club based in Split, Croatia. The club competes in the ABA League and the Croatian League.
History
The club's roots are found in Hajduk sports society's basketball section, which was established in 1945. After three years of mostly sporadic activity, in 1948, the club established its own organizational structure known as KK Hajduk, which was independent of sports society. In the next year, 1949, the club changed its name to KK Split.
After competing in the Yugoslav lower divisions for more than a decade, the club finally made it to the Yugoslav top-tier level Yugoslav First Federal League, for the 1963–64 season, and it stayed there until the breakup of Yugoslavia.
In 1967, the club adopted–for sponsorship reasons–the name Jugoplastika (Jugoplastika was a factory of clothing, accessories, and footwear products, made from thermoplastic materials and fiberglass; the original predecessor of AD Plastik), and kept it until the end of the 1989–90 season. In the next season, the club participated in the worldwide, national domestic, and European competitions, under the sponsorship of POP 84 (an Italian clothes company from Ancona).
KK Split is among the most successful clubs in European basketball history. They are, together with the first champions of the competition, Rīgas ASK, the only team to win the EuroLeague trophy three times in a row. In the years 1989, 1990, and 1991, the team, which was known back then as Jugoplastika and POP 84, with players like Dino Rađa, Toni Kukoč, Žan Tabak, Velimir Perasović and Zoran Savić, won the European top-tier level basketball trophy.
Apart from these successes, the club also reached the FIBA European Champions Cup final in 1972, and the FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup final in 1973. It lost both finals against the 1970s Italian League superpower Ignis Varese, and the Soviet Union League club Spartak Leningrad. KK Split also won back-to-back Korać Cup titles in 1976, against Chinamartini Torino, and in 1977, against Alco Bologna.
Players
Main page: Category:KK Split playersCurrent roster
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.
| KK Split roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Updated: November 20, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depth chart
| Pos. | Starting 5 | Bench 1 | Bench 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Ivan Vraneš | Krešimir Ljubičić | |||
| PF | David Škara | Tonko Vuko | |||
| SF | Shannon Shorter | Boris Tišma | Ante Perkušić | ||
| SG | Antonio Jordano | Vito Kučić | Antonio Klepo | ||
| PG | Borna Kapusta | Toni Katić |
FIBA Hall of Famers
| KK Split Hall of Famers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | |||||
| No. | Nat. | Name | Position | Tenure | Inducted |
| 7 |  |
Toni Kukoč | F | 1985–1991 | 2017 |
Honours
Total titles: 24
Domestic competitions
- Winners (1): 2002–03
- Runners-up (8): 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2007–08, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023-24
- Winners (5): 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1996–97, 2003–04
- Runners-up (3): 1995–96, 1998–99, 2020–21
- Yugoslav League (defunct)
- Winners (6): 1970–71, 1976–77, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91
- Runners-up (6): 1971–72, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1978–79, 1979–80
- Yugoslav Cup (defunct)
- Winners (5): 1971–72, 1973–74, 1976–77, 1989–90, 1990–91
- Runners-up (5): 1969–70, 1974–75, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1988–89
- Yugoslav League 1. B (defunct)
- Winners (1): 1981–82
European competitions
See also: List of European Major Basketball club competition winners- FIBA Saporta Cup (defunct)
- FIBA Korać Cup (defunct)
- European Basketball Club Super Cup (semi-official, defunct)
Worldwide competitions
- 4th place (1): 1973
Other competitions
- FIBA International Christmas Tournament (defunct)
Individual club awards
- Winners (2): 1989–90, 1990–91
- Winners (1): 1976–77
Top performances in European competitions
Main article: KK Split in international competitions| Season | Achievement | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EuroLeague | |||
| 1971–72 | Final | lost to Ignis Varese, 69-70 in the final (Tel Aviv) | |
| 1977–78 | Semi-final group stage | 5th place in a group with Real Madrid, Mobilgirgi Varese, ASVEL, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Alvik | |
| 1988–89 | Champions | defeated FC Barcelona 87–77 in the semi-final, defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 75–69 in the final of the Final Four in Munich | |
| 1989–90 | Champions | defeated Limoges CSP 101–83 in the semi-final, defeated FC Barcelona Banca Catalana 72–67 in the final of the Final Four in Zaragoza | |
| 1990–91 | Champions | defeated Scavolini Pesaro 93–87 in the semi-final, defeated FC Barcelona Banca Catalana 70–65 in the final of the Final Four in Paris | |
| 2000–01 | Quarter-finals | eliminated by Efes Pilsen, 69–95 (L) in Istanbul, 72–64 (W) in Split and 59–82 (L) in Istanbul | |
| FIBA Saporta Cup | |||
| 1972–73 | Final | lost to Spartak Leningrad, 62–77 in the final (Thessaloniki) | |
| 1974–75 | Semi-finals | eliminated by Crvena zvezda, 88–76 (W) in Split and 63-81 (L) in Belgrade | |
| 1985–86 | Quarter-finals | 3rd place in a group with FC Barcelona, Scavolini Pesaro and Landis&Gyr Wien | |
| 1992–93 | Quarter-finals | 3rd place in a group with Sato Aris, Hapoel Galil Elyon, Benfica, Pitch Cholet and Budivelnyk | |
| 1993–94 | Quarter-finals | 3rd place in a group with Smelt Olimpija, Taugrés, Fidefinanz Bellinzona, Tofaş and Rabotnički | |
| 1994–95 | Quarter-finals | 3rd place in a group with Olympique Antibes, Iraklis Aspis Pronoia, Maes Flandria, Kyiv and Fidefinanz Bellinzona | |
| FIBA Korać Cup | |||
| 1973–74 | Semi-finals | eliminated by Partizan, 97–108 (L) in Belgrade and 85–75 (W) in Split | |
| 1975–76 | Champions | defeated Chinamartini Torino, 97–84 (W) in Split and 82–82 (D) in Turin in the double finals of Korać Cup | |
| 1976–77 | Champions | defeated Alco Bologna, 87–84 in the final of Korać Cup in Genoa | |
| 1978–79 | Semi-finals | eliminated by Partizan, 96–97 (L) in Split and 96–98 (L) in Belgrade | |
| 1979–80 | Semi-finals | eliminated by Arrigoni Rieti, 75–86 (L) in Rieti and 104–97 (W) in Split | |
| FIBA Intercontinental Cup | |||
| 1973 | 4th | 4th place in a group with Ignis Varese, Sírio, Vaqueros de Bayamón and Lexington Marathon Oilers | |
| McDonald's Championship | |||
| 1989 | Final | defeated Philips Milano 102–97 in the semi-final, lost to Denver Nuggets 129–139 in the final (Rome) | |
| 1990 | Final | defeated FC Barcelona Banca Catalana 102–97 in the semi-final, lost to New York Knicks 101–117 in the final (Barcelona) | |
| 1991 | 4th | 4th place in Paris, lost to Montigalà Joventut 86–117 in the semi-final, lost to Limoges CSP 91–105 in the 3rd place game | |
The road to the European Cup victories
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1975–76 FIBA Korać Cup
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1976–77 FIBA Korać Cup
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1988–89 FIBA European Champions Cup
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1989–90 FIBA European Champions Cup
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1990–91 FIBA European Champions Cup
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One of the greatest dynasties in European-wide basketball club competition history, came between 1989 and 1991, when Split simply dominated the FIBA European Champions Cup (EuroLeague) like no other team had in decades. Head coach Božidar Maljković, put together arguably one of the most talented young teams ever seen anywhere: featuring Toni Kukoč, Dino Rađa, Žan Tabak, Velimir Perasović, Zoran Sretenović, and Luka Pavićević, who joined forces with veterans like Duško Ivanović. In 1989, Jugoplastika reached the Final Four, along with heavy favorites FC Barcelona, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and the very competitive Aris. Kukoč had 24 points and Ivanović had 21, to lead Split past FC Barcelona, by a score of 89–77, in the semifinals. Once in the final, Jugoplastika edged Maccabi 75–69, behind 20 points from Rađa, and 18 from an unstoppable Kukoč, whose combination of size, speed, and incredible court vision, turned him into a one-of-a-kind player.
Jugoplastika met FC Barcelona again, in the 1990 FIBA European Champions Cup Final Four, in Zaragoza, Spain. FC Barcelona was backed by thousands of fans, and managed to get a brief 61–59 lead, late in the second half, but Kukoč buried a couple of critical three-pointers, that sent Jugoplastika on its way to its second straight title. Kukoč finished the game with 20 points, and the EuroLeague Final Four MVP award, in his magic hands.
In most places, one can find that the European champions in 1991, were called POP 84, but that was just the name of the sponsor under which the talented players of KK Split were playing that season. Despite being without Dino Rađa and Duško Ivanović, the team from Split was led by a great Toni Kukoč, and a genius-like Zoran Savić, to their third consecutive title. Since the time when Rīgas ASK of the USSR League, won three straight European titles, in 1958, 1959, and 1960, no other team had won three in a row. And in the Final Four era, only two other teams besides Jugoplastika have been able to win even two consecutively (Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2004 and 2005, and Olympiacos in 2012, and 2013).
In 1991, the competition provided some big surprises, leading up to the Final Four at Paris. English club Kingston Kings of the British Basketball League, eliminated CSKA Moscow, and what is more, with a double victory, 93–77 at home and 72–74 in Moscow. German club Bayer 04 Leverkusen of the Basketball Bundesliga, made its debut in the third round, but the other faces were well known to everyone: FC Barcelona Banca Catalana ended first in that phase (11–3), POP 84 was second (9–5), and the other two Final Four teams would be Scavolini Pesaro and Maccabi Tel Aviv, tied at 8–6. Once again, the first team of the previous round did not get the title. In a rematch of the previous year's final – an occurrence that has not been repeated since – the team from Split won 70–65, almost identical to the 1990 score (72–67). Thanks to a great performance by Savić, who scored 27 points, Jugoplastika had an historic three–peat.
Seasons in Yugoslavia
Split participated in the Yugoslav First Basketball League from the 1964 season, until the breakup of Yugoslavia, in summer of 1991 (except for 1981–82 season, when the club was relegated to the 2nd-tier level Yugoslav 1. B Federal Basketball League).
| Pos. | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | 10 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1B | 1 |
Notable 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:
|
- Branko Radović
- Ratomir Tvrdić
- Josip Vranković
- Roko Leni Ukić
- Nikola Vujčić
- Dino Rađa
- Damir Šolman
- Duje Krstulović
- Toni Kukoč
- Velimir Perasović
- Zoran Čutura
- Petar Skansi
- Ivica Dukan
- Željko Jerkov
- Damjan Rudež
- Žan Tabak
- Ivica Burić
- Aramis Naglić
- Luka Babić
- Andrija Žižić
- Nikola Prkačin
Ermal Kuqo- Krešimir Lončar
- Franjo Arapović
- Damir Rančić
- Teo Čizmić
- Franko Kaštropil
- Srđan Subotić
- Ante Grgurević
- Ante Toni Žižić
- Dragan Bender
- Ante Delaš
- Mario Delaš
- Josip Sobin
- Ivan Siriščević
- Bruno Šundov
- Toni Dijan
- Filip Krušlin
- Hrvoje Perić
Petar Naumoski
Luka Pavićević- Duško Ivanović
Marlon Garnett
Larry Ayuso
Jurij Zdovc- Peter Vilfan
Zoran Sretenović- Zoran Savić
Terrence Rencher- Steve Colter
- Ray "Sugar" Richardson
- Avie Lester
- Jamon Gordon
Damir Mršić- Andrija Stipanović
Dejan Ivanov
Players at the NBA draft
| ^ | Denotes player who has been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
| Position | Player | Year | Round | Pick | Drafted by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PF/C |  Dino Rađa
|
1989 | 2nd round | 40th | Boston Celtics |
| SF/PF | Toni Kukoč
|
1990 | 2nd round | 29th | Chicago Bulls |
| C | Žan Tabak
|
1991 | 2nd round | 51st | Houston Rockets |
| C | Bruno Šundov
|
1998 | 2nd round | 35th | Dallas Mavericks |
| PG/SG | Roko Ukić
|
2005 | 2nd round | 41st | Toronto Raptors |
Head coaches
- Enzo Sovitti
- Branko Radović
- Srđan Kalember
- Petar Skansi
- Matan Rimac
- Zoran Grašo
- Krešimir Ćosić
- Zoran Slavnić
- Božidar Maljković
- Željko Pavličević
-
Slobodan Subotić - Josip "Pino" Grdović
- Predrag Kruščić
References
- "Company history | AD Plastik". www.adplastik.hr. Archived from the original on 2014-08-25.
- "Pop84". Archived from the original on 2017-02-16. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
- "FIBA.basketball". Retrieved 20 August 2019.
External links
- Official website of KK Split (in Croatian)
- KK Split at Eurobasket.com
