# Brussels Basketball > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Brussels_Basketball > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Brussels_Basketball.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brussels_Basketball > Source revision: 1354711228 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Not to be confused with the defunct [Basket Brussels](/source/Basket_Brussels). Basketball team in Brussels, Belgium Brussels Basketball Leagues BNXT League Founded 1958; 68 years ago (1958) History Excelsior Brussels (1958–2013) Brussels Basketball (2013–2019) Phoenix Brussels (2019–2022) Brussels Basketball (2022–present) Arena Neder-Over-Heembeek sports complex Capacity 1,500 Location Brussels, Belgium Team colors Blue, White President André De Kandelaer Head coach Serge Crèvecœur Team captain Alexandre Libert Website www.brusselsbasketball.be **Brussels Basketball**, also known as **Excelsior Brussels**, is a professional [basketball](/source/Basketball) club based in [Neder-Over-Heembeek](/source/Neder-Over-Heembeek) ([Brussels](/source/Brussels)), [Belgium](/source/Belgium). The team competes in the [BNXT League](/source/BNXT_League) and hosts its home games at the Neder-Over-Heembeek sports complex, which has a capacity of up to 1,500 spectators. ## History Founded in 1958 as the basketball section of Excelsior Brussels,[1] the club spent decades in Belgium’s lower leagues. After six years in the third division, [Serge Crèvecoeur](/source/Serge_Cr%C3%A8vecoeur) joined in 2008 and immediately led the team to promotion to the [second division](/source/Top_Division_Men_One). Over the next seasons, Excelsior steadily improved—finishing 4th and 5th with quarterfinal appearances, then reaching the semifinals in 2011–12. Despite slipping to 10th and missing the playoffs in 2012–13, the club was promoted to the [top Belgian division](/source/Pro_Basketball_League) that year as part of an expansion to include a capital city team. The club rebranded its first division team as Brussels Basketball to better promote the city and boost the league’s appeal, with main sponsor Basic-Fit joining at the same time and influencing the name change to Basic-Fit Brussels. The rest of the club retained the Excelsior identity. The club received a C-licence, which allowed them to play with a lower budget in the league.[2] The first two seasons in the top division were marked by limited success, but the closed league format provided a stable environment for gradual growth. In their [third season](/source/2015%E2%80%9316_Basketball_League_Belgium_Division_I), they narrowly missed the playoff finals, which they reached the following year in [2016–17](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_Pro_Basketball_League).[3] Strong performances in both the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons earned them places in the [FIBA Europe Cup](/source/FIBA_Europe_Cup).[4] Following the 2016–17 vice-championship, Crèvecoeur left and was replaced by assistant coach Laurent Monier. The 2017–18 season under Monier was less successful. Crèvecoeur returned for the 2018–19 season and immediately led the team to third place in the playoffs and a Belgian Cup semifinal. In 2019, Basic-Fit withdrew as main sponsor, prompting a rebrand to Phoenix Brussels and an increased reliance on public funding and political support.[5] The COVID-19 pandemic brought serious financial challenges, threatening the first team’s survival—but the club ultimately endured. As the club faced growing challenges, Serge Crèvecoeur departed once again. He was replaced by [Ian Hanavan](/source/Ian_Hanavan), who took charge for the [2020–21 season](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_Pro_Basketball_League)—the final season of the standalone Belgian league. Hanavan remained in place for the start of the 2021–22 campaign, marking the debut of the new [BNXT League](/source/BNXT_League),[6] but was quickly dismissed by the board due to underperformance. [Jean-Marc Jaumin](/source/Jean-Marc_Jaumin) took over and managed to stabilize the team during the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons. During his tenure, the club secured a new main sponsor in betting platform Circus,[7] rebranding as Circus Brussels. However, this naming ended in 2023 following a new law that banned gambling promotion in sports.[8] [Serge Crèvecoeur](/source/Serge_Cr%C3%A8vecoeur) returned ahead of the 2023–24 season.[9] Over two seasons, he guided the team toward greater stability, resulting in the club’s first playoff appearance since 2019 in 2024–25. ## Infrastructure Upon the club's establishment in 1958, the team played outdoors on the field of the [King Baudoin/Boudewijn Stadium](/source/King_Baudouin_Stadium) (then the Heysel/Heizel Stadium). Brussels Basketball currently plays its home games in the multifunctional sports hall of the Neder-Over-Heembeek sports complex. The hall features retractable seating and typically accommodates around 1,000 spectators, though it can hold up to 1,500, as it did during the 2017 Belgian playoff finals against [Oostende](/source/BC_Oostende). Owned by the [municipality](/source/City_of_Brussels) rather than the club, this has historically led to scheduling and organisation conflicts. Since 2017 the team regularly plays gala matches in [Palais/Paleis 12](/source/Palais_12). In the 2020–2021 season, the team made a temporary move to the venue for all games from December 2020 to April 2021.[10] The club recognized early the necessity of upgrading its infrastructure. In 2013, upon entering the first division, the president André De Kandelaer stated, "Our hall is not designed for the first division" and "If a serious project develops, it will certainly not be at Neder-Over-Heembeek".[11] In 2017, a plan was unveiled for a 3,000-seat arena on the [Heysel/Heizel Plateau](/source/Heysel_Plateau), but it failed to materialize.[12] In 2021, a more ambitious proposal for a 4,000-seat arena at the same location was introduced, though this project did not progress either.[13] ## Honours - **[Belgian League](/source/Pro_Basketball_League)** - *Runners-up (1)*: [2016–17](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_Pro_Basketball_League) ## Names Due to sponsorships and other reasons, the name of the club has frequently changed: - **Excelsior Brussels** (1958–2013) - **Basic-Fit Brussels Basketball** (2013–2019) - **Phoenix Brussels Basketball** (2019–2022) - **Circus Brussels Basketball** (2022–2023) - **Brussels Basketball** (2023–present) ## Season by season Season Tier League Pos. W–L Belgian Cup European competitions 2008–09 3 Belgian 3rd Division 2nd 2009–10 2 Belgian 2nd Division 5th 2010–11 2 Belgian 2nd Division 5th 2011–12 2 Belgian 2nd Division 4th 2012–13 2 Belgian 2nd Division 10th 2013–14 1 Belgian League 8th 8–28 Round of 16 2014–15 1 Belgian League 10th 10–18 Round of 16 2015–16 1 Belgian League 4th 21–16 Round of 16 2016–17 1 Belgian League 2nd 28–19 Semifinalist 4 FIBA Europe Cup RS 1–5 2017–18 1 Belgian League 8th 12–26 Quarterfinalist 3 Champions League QR3 0–2 4 FIBA Europe Cup RS 2–4 2018–19 1 Belgian League 3rd 23–17 Semifinalist 2019–20 1 Belgian League 9th 6–11 Quarterfinalist 4 FIBA Europe Cup RS 2–4 2020–21 1 Belgian League 10th 4–22 Play-in Round 2021–22 1 BNXT League BE 9th 9–19 Quarterfinalist BNXT 16th 2022–23 1 BNXT League BE 10th 9–19 Quarterfinalist BNXT 16th 2023-24 1 BNXT League BE 6th 17–15 Quarterfinalist BNXT 14th 2024-25 1 BNXT League BE 5th 25–11 Round of 16 BNXT 5th 2025-26 1 BNXT League BE 7th 18–16 Round of 32 R European North League RS 3-5 BNXT 9th ## Players ### Current roster Brussels Basketball roster Players Coaches Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Age G 1 Van Eyck, Evert 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) 21 – (2005-01-10)10 January 2005 C 3 Agu, Onyeka Joe 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) 22 – (2004-04-26)26 April 2004 G 5 Libert, Alexandre (C) 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 36 – (1990-01-25)25 January 1990 SF 6 Overton, J. J. 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) 26 – (1999-09-23)23 September 1999 PF 7 Vuko, Tonko 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 31 – (1994-07-07)7 July 1994 F 10 Hazard, Louis 1.99 m (6 ft 6 in) 28 – (1998-01-13)13 January 1998 PG 11 Brown, Jomaru 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 27 – (1999-06-07)7 June 1999 F 17 Horton, Demetric 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 26 – (1999-10-14)14 October 1999 G 19 Abelshausen, Kobe 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) 21 – (2005-05-06)6 May 2005 C 22 Schrevens, Arne 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) 23 – (2002-07-08)8 July 2002 F/C 24 Tshimanga, Godwin 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) 25 – (2001-01-25)25 January 2001 F/C 27 Ambrose, Jared 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 25 – (2001-01-22)22 January 2001 Head coach Serge Crèvecœur Assistant coach(es) Thodoris Alexandridis Thomas Creppy Laurent Monier Legend (C) Team captain Injured Roster Updated: February 16, 2026 ### Depth chart Pos. Starting 5 Bench C PF SF SG PG ### Notable players Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at [FIBA](/source/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. - [Lionel Bosco](/source/Lionel_Bosco) - [Terry Deroover](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Terry_Deroover&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Aleksander Lichodzijewski](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aleksander_Lichodzijewski&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Alexandre Libert](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alexandre_Libert&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Domien Loubry](/source/Domien_Loubry) - [Guy Muya](/source/Guy_Muya) - [Éric Struelens](/source/%C3%89ric_Struelens) - [Jonathan Tabu](/source/Jonathan_Tabu) - [Godwin Tshimanga](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Godwin_Tshimanga&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Kevin Tumba](/source/Kevin_Tumba) - [Jason Washburn](/source/Jason_Washburn) - [Steve Ross](/source/Steve_Ross_(basketball)) - [Max Kouguère](/source/Max_Kougu%C3%A8re) - [Ivan Karačić](/source/Ivan_Kara%C4%8Di%C4%87_(basketball)) - [Sigfredo Casero-Ortiz](/source/Sigfredo_Casero-Ortiz) - [Okko Järvi](/source/Okko_J%C3%A4rvi) - [Augustas Pečiukevičius](/source/Augustas_Pe%C4%8Diukevi%C4%8Dius) - [William Robeyns](/source/William_Robeyns) - [Pape Badji](/source/Pape_Badji) - [Dejan Kravić](/source/Dejan_Kravi%C4%87) - [Thomas Massamba](/source/Thomas_Massamba) - [Dino Pita](/source/Dino_Pita) - [Ryan Richards](/source/Ryan_Richards) - [Taylor Brown](/source/Taylor_Brown_(basketball)) - [Chris Dowe](/source/Chris_Dowe) - [Julian Gamble](/source/Julian_Gamble) - [Brandon Peterson](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brandon_Peterson_(basketball)&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Colt Ryan](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colt_Ryan&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Brandon Ubel](/source/Brandon_Ubel) ## Head coaches - [Serge Crèvecœur](/source/Serge_Cr%C3%A8vec%C5%93ur): 2008–2017, 2018–2020, 2023–present - [Laurent Monier](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laurent_Monier&action=edit&redlink=1): 2017–2018, 2020 - [Ian Hanavan](/source/Ian_Hanavan): 2020–2021 - [Jean-Marc Jaumin](/source/Jean-Marc_Jaumin): 2021–2023 ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["De club: Excelsior Brussels"](https://www.bruzz.be/sport/de-club-excelsior-brussels-2009-07-10). *[Bruzz](/source/Bruzz)* (in Dutch). 10 July 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Basketclub Excelsior Brussels krijgt licentie"](http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/dmf20130422_00550264). *Nieuwsblad.be*. 22 April 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["1/2F EMBL playoffs: Basic-Fit Brussels advances to first finals appearance in club's history"](http://euromillionsbasketball.be/article?id=5340). Euromillionsbasketball.be. June 1, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Excelsior Brussel speelt Europees"](http://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20160916_02472748). Nieuwsblad.be. September 17, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Le Basic-Fit Brussels devient le Phoenix Brussels et reste à Neder-over-Heembeek"](https://bx1.be/sport/le-basic-fit-brussels-devient-le-phoenix-brussels-et-reste-a-neder-over-heembeek/). July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Licenties BNXT League 2021-2022 toegekend"](https://www.dutchbasketballleague.nl/nieuws/licenties-bnxt-league-2021-2022-toegekend/). *Basketball League* (in Dutch). Retrieved July 10, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Basket: nouveau sponsor, nouveau logo, nouveaux joueurs… le Circus Brussels est né !"](https://lacapitale.sudinfo.be/961759/article/2022-06-17/basket-nouveau-sponsor-nouveau-logo-nouveaux-joueurs-le-circus-brussels-est-ne). *Édition digitale de Bruxelles* (in French). June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Yannick Desiron et Luka Kotrulja rejoignent le Brussels"](https://inforbasket.eu/?p=16231). *Inforbasket* (in French). June 19, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Serge Crevecoeur de retour au Brussels:"L'amour pour ce club ne m'a jamais quitté""](https://www.dhnet.be/archives-journal/2023/03/23/serge-crevecoeur-de-retour-au-brusselslamour-pour-ce-club-ne-ma-jamais-quitte-5OQE4ZTKKZF67OSGA23JOVAWXU/). *DH* (in French). March 3, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Basket-ball : le Phoenix Brussels va déménager au Palais 12 jusqu'en mars 2021"](https://bx1.be/communes/bruxelles-ville/basket-ball-le-phoenix-brussels-va-demenager-au-palais-12-jusquen-mars-2021/). *BX1* (in French). December 22, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [""Notre salle n'est pas conçue pour la D1""](https://www.dhnet.be/archives-journal/2013/10/06/notre-salle-nest-pas-concue-pour-la-d1-7B2UCLW2ZZHTJCNEQNPW42JS3A/). *La DH* (in French). October 6, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Un nouveau stade de basket pour le Brussels"](https://www.lecho.be/entreprises/sport/un-nouveau-stade-de-basket-pour-le-brussels/9901362.html#:~:text=%22Il%20s'agira%20d',Volley%2Dball%20et%20le%20Handball%22&text=Le%20Brussels%20joue%20dans%20le,est%20que%20de%201.200%20places.). *L'Écho* (in French). June 6, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["A l'ombre de l'Atomium, un projet de dôme de basket-ball à l'américaine : trop ambitieux et trop cher ?"](https://www.rtbf.be/article/a-l-ombre-de-l-atomium-un-projet-de-dome-de-basket-ball-a-l-americaine-trop-ambitieux-et-trop-cher-10745503). *RTBF* (in French). April 21, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2025. ## External links - [Official website](https://www.brusselsbasketball.be/) - [Eurobasket.com profile](https://basketball.eurobasket.com/team/Circus-Brussels-Basketball/1370) v t e Brussels Basketball current roster 3 Agu 5 Libert 6 Overton 7 Vuko 10 Hazard 11 Brown 17 Horton 19 Abelshausen 22 Schrevens 24 Tshimanga 27 Ambrose Dammen Head coach: Crèvecœur Assistant coaches: Alexandridis Creppy Monier v t e Pro Basketball League Basketball League Belgium Seasons 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 replaced by BNXT League Clubs 2020–21 season Mons-Hainaut Okapi Aalst Oostende Limburg United Kangoeroes Mechelen Phoenix Brussels Spirou Charleroi Leuven Bears Antwerp Giants Liège Basket Former Antwerpse Bree Fresh Air Gent Hawks GSG Aarschot Lier Maccabi Brussels SKT Ieper R.C. Mechelen Standard Liège Wevelgem Wolves Verviers-Pepinster Awards Most Valuable Player Coach of the Year Belgian Player of the Year Star of the Coaches Rising Star Lifetime Achievement Award Statistical leaders Scoring Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Related competitions (awards) Belgian Cup (Belgian Cup MVP) Belgian Supercup replaced by BNXT Supercup Category v t e BNXT League Seasons 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2025–26 2026–27 Playoffs BNXT Finals 2022 2023 2024 2025 Netherlands 2022 2023 2024 2025 Belgium 2022 2023 2024 2025 Clubs Belgium Antwerp Giants Brussels Basketball BC Oostende CB Liège Kangoeroes Mechelen Kortrijk Spurs Limburg United Leuven Bears Mons-Hainaut Okapi Aalst Spirou Charleroi Netherlands Donar Heroes Den Bosch Landstede Hammers Rotterdam City ZZ Leiden Former teams Apollo Amsterdam BAL Den Helder Suns Liège Basket LWD Basket QSTA United The Hague Royals Awards Most Valuable Player (MVP) Finals MVP National Finals MVP Dream Team Sixth Man of the Year Defensive Player of the Year Player of the Year Rising Star of the Year Coach of the Year Associated competitions BNXT Supercup Category --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Brussels Basketball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brussels_Basketball) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brussels_Basketball?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.