# Okapi Aalst > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Okapi_Aalst > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Okapi_Aalst.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okapi_Aalst > Source revision: 1356885383 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Basketball team in Aalst, Belgium Okapi Aalst Leagues BNXT League Founded 15 November 1949; 76 years ago (1949-11-15) History List BBC Aalst 1949–2002 Okapi Aalstar 2002–2020 Okapi Aalst 2020–present Arena Okapi Forum Capacity 2,800 Location Aalst, Belgium Team colors Blue, White, CEO Bart De Moor President Kristof De Saedeleer Head coach Olivier Foucart Team captain Ivan Maraš Championships 1 Belgian Cup 2 Belgian Supercups Website okapiaalst.be Home Away **Okapi Aalst** is a [Belgian](/source/Belgium) professional [basketball](/source/Basketball) club from [Aalst](/source/Aalst%2C_Belgium), [Belgium](/source/Belgium). The club competes in the top tier [BNXT League](/source/BNXT_League) and plays its home games in the Okapi Forum, which has a [seating capacity](/source/Seating_capacity) of 2,800 people. Okapi is a long-time participant of the Belgian first division, is the owner of one Belgian Cup and two Supercups. As well, Aalst was a regular participant in European competitions in the past. In its history the team has included many quality players who would be named [Belgian League MVP](/source/Ethias_League_MVP) or have played for top [Euroleague](/source/Euroleague) and [NBA](/source/NBA) teams, such as [Chris Copeland](/source/Chris_Copeland) and [Matt Lojeski](/source/Matt_Lojeski). ## History Okapi was founded on 15 November 1949 by a group of friends in Aalst, almost all going to the school named Aalsterse Atheneum. Piet de Coninck van Noyen was one of the founders. In 1956, Odilon Ringoir became the first chairman of the club. In 1957, the municipality of Aalst allowed the team to play outside at the Hopmarkt and as a result more spectators watched the team's matches. In the winter months, the team played inside a shoe factory in Terjoden. In the 1958–59 season, Okapi promoted to the fourth national league. In 1969, the first foreign players where signed to keep up with opposing teams.[1] In the 1969–70 season, Okapi won the national second division title in an impressive way by going unbeaten in all 44 games. In the 1970–71 season, the club made its maiden debut at the [First National League](/source/Pro_Basketball_League). The team stayed there for five years until it was relegated again. The downfall lasted shortly as the team promoted back the next season. In the following seasons, Okapi enjoyed the first league in which local Derbys against Black Boys Aalst were played. In 1980, the team relegated once again.[1] In the 2011–12 season, Aalstar won its first trophy ever with its [Belgian Basketball Cup](/source/Belgian_Basketball_Cup) victory. Okapi defeated [Antwerp Giants](/source/Antwerp_Giants) 96–89 after overtime.[2] By winning the Cup, Okapi qualified for the [Belgian Supercup](/source/Belgian_Basketball_Supercup) the next season, which it also won after defeating [BC Oostende](/source/BC_Oostende).[3] In 2013, Okapi won the Supercup for the second consecutive year by beating Oostende once again.[4] In the 2013–14 season, Okapi reached the Finals of the Belgian League for the first time. In the Finals, the team was swept by Oostende, which went on to win its third straight title. In June 2020, the team changed its name from Okapi Aalstar back to Okapi Aalst.[5] Since the [2021–22 season](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_BNXT_League), Okapi plays in the [BNXT League](/source/BNXT_League), in which the national leagues of Belgium and the Netherlands have been merged.[6] ## Honours and titles **[Belgian League](/source/Basketball_League_Belgium_Division_I):** - Runners-up (2): [2013–14](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_Ethias_League) [2015-2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2015-2016&action=edit&redlink=1) **[Belgian Cup](/source/Belgian_Basketball_Cup)** - **Winners** (1): 2011–12[2] - Runners-up (3): 1963–64, 1997–98, [2012–13](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Belgian_Basketball_Cup) **[Belgian Supercup](/source/Belgian_Basketball_Supercup)** - **Winners** (2): 2012, 2013[4] **[Belgian Second Division](/source/Belgian_Second_Division_(basketball))** - **Winners (3):** 1969-70, 1974-75, 2005–06 ## Season by season Season Tier League Pos. Belgian Cup European competitions Other competitions 2011–12 1 BLB 5th Champion 3 EuroChallenge T16 2012–13 1 BLB 4th Runner–up 3 EuroChallenge T16 Supercup C 2013–14 1 BLB 2nd Semifinalist 3 EuroChallenge RS Supercup C 2014–15 1 BLB 3rd Semifinalist 3 EuroChallenge T16 2015–16 1 BLB 2nd Semifinalist 2016–17 1 BLB 5th Semifinalist 2017–18 1 BLB 4th Quarterfinalist 2018–19 1 BLB 7th Quarterfinalist 2019–20[a] 1 PBL 8th 2020–21 1 PBL 7th Semifinalist 2021–22 1 BNXT 13th – 2022–23 1 BNXT 12th – 2023–24 1 BNXT 15th Round of 16 2024–25 1 BNXT 13th Quarterfinalist 2025–26 1 BNXT 3rd Quarterfinalist 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** The 2019–20 season was cancelled early due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic). ## Logos - The official Okapi Aalstar crest - **Crelan Okapi Aalstar** (2015–2020) ## Players See also: [Category:Okapi Aalst players](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Okapi_Aalst_players) ### Current roster Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at [FIBA](/source/FIBA)-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed. Okapi Aalst roster Players Coaches Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Age G/F 0 Colbert III, Eddie 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) F 1 Pieters, Daan 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 19 – (2007-06-09)9 June 2007 F 2 Raedschelders, Alexander 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 21 – (2005-06-09)9 June 2005 F/C 3 Maraš, Ivan (C) 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 40 – (1986-04-20)20 April 1986 SG 4 Ünal, Jasper 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) 22 – (2003-07-03)3 July 2003 SG 5 De Boeck, Jorn 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) 22 – (2004-02-03)3 February 2004 G 6 Temmerman, Glenn 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) 25 – (2001-07-01)1 July 2001 G 9 Van Den Eynde, Niels 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) 25 – (2000-12-27)27 December 2000 F 10 Ledegen, Siebe 1.99 m (6 ft 6 in) 23 – (2003-01-16)16 January 2003 SF 11 Massey, Ozzy 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 23 – (2002-10-30)30 October 2002 C 15 Palinckx, Mattias 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 29 – (1997-02-17)17 February 1997 SG 18 Kreps, Malcolm 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) 24 – (2001-10-11)11 October 2001 G 21 Maddox, Dante 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 24 – (2002-01-15)15 January 2002 Head coach Olivier Foucart Assistant coach(es) Stijn Penninck Legend (C) Team captain (FA) Free agent Injured Roster Transactions Updated: January 23, 2026 ### 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. - [Daren Queenan](/source/Daren_Queenan) - [Chris Copeland](/source/Chris_Copeland) - [Derek Raivio](/source/Derek_Raivio) - [Justin Holiday](/source/Justin_Holiday) - [Mike Doyle](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mike_Doyle_(basketball)&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Da'Sean Butler](/source/Da'Sean_Butler) - [John Tofi](/source/John_Tofi) - [Alex Ruoff](/source/Alex_Ruoff) - [Trevor Huffman](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Trevor_Huffman&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Christopher Young](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Christopher_Young_(basketball)&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Dante Maddox Jr.](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dante_Maddox_Jr.&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Borislav Vučević](/source/Borislav_Vu%C4%8Devi%C4%87) - [Matt Lojeski](/source/Matt_Lojeski) - [Ronny Bayer](/source/Ronny_Bayer) - [Frank Van Impe](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frank_Van_Impe&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Pieter Loridon](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pieter_Loridon&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Steve Ibens](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Steve_Ibens&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Thomas Van Den Spiegel](/source/Thomas_Van_Den_Spiegel) - [Niels Van Den Eynde](/source/Niels_Van_Den_Eynde) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-history_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-history_1-1) ["Geschiedenis"](https://www.okapiaalst.be/teams/club-info/geschiedenis/). *Okapi Aalst* (in Flemish). Retrieved 10 July 2021. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cup_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cup_2-1) ["Aalstar wint knotsgekke bekerfinale"](http://www.sport.be/nl/basketbal/article.html?Article_ID=577347&v=08082017). *sport.be*. Retrieved 30 August 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Okapi Aalst wint Supercup basket"](https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20120930_038). *Het Nieuwsblad*. 30 September 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2019. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-supercup_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-supercup_4-1) ["Okapi Aalstar wint Supercup"](http://www.sport.be/nl/basketbal/article.html?Article_ID=656966&v=08082017). *sport.be*. Retrieved 30 August 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Basketbalclub Aalstar wordt opnieuw Okapi Aalst"](https://sporza.be/nl/2020/06/09/basketbalclub-aalstar-wordt-opnieuw-okapi-aalst~1591728340063/). *sporza.be*. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020. 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 10 July 2021. ## External links - [Eurobasket.com team profile](http://www.eurobasket.com/team.asp?Cntry=BEL&Team=331) (in English) v t e Okapi Aalst current roster 0 Colbert III 1 Pieters 2 Raedschelders 4 Ünal 5 De Boeck 6 Timmerman 9 van Den Eynde 10 Ledegen 11 Massey 15 Palinckx 18 Kreps 21 Maddox Anticevich Head coach: Foucart Assistant coaches: Penninck 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 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 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Okapi Aalst](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okapi_Aalst) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okapi_Aalst?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.