Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez
Encyclopedia
The Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez is a French professional basketball
club that is based in Pau. They play their home games at the Palais des Sports de Pau
.
. Up until then, the basketball club was merely a section of the Orthez sports club, founded in 1908. It was not a "club" in the modern sense, but rather a sponsorship created by clerics to enable young people to play sports.
The club first reached the top level of French professional basketball in 1973. They were immediately relegated back to the second division the following season, but returned to the top flight in 1976. The club then made their European debut one year later, in 1977, by qualifying for the Korać Cup
. They continued their ascent by winning the Korać Cup in 1984, defeating Red Star Belgrade
in the final. This was the first of many pieces of silverware that would be added to the club's trophy cabinet over the next two decades.
More success followed as the Élan Béarnais were finally crowned champions of France, winning back-to-back titles in 1986 and 1987. This earned them entry into the European Champions' Cup (present-day Euroleague
). Despite their status as newcomers they were not intimidated, completing their maiden campaign with a miraculous 3rd-place finish and a perfect record at home. It was a magical run, the club defeating such European giants as Žalgiris Kaunas
, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Real Madrid
, and eventual 1987 champions Olimpia Milano
at their home court, La Moutète. The Élan Béarnais would remain a fixture in European competition every season thereafter, until 2008, setting a European longevity record of 31 years (1977–2008).
Now that this humble club from a village of 12,000 people at the foot of the Pyrénées
had blossomed into a power of European basketball, a move to a bigger city became a necessity. The club changed its name in 1989, becoming the Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez, and moved to the city of Pau, after the inauguration of the Palais des Sports
in 1991. This move was made possible by the visionary efforts of two men: Pierre Seillant, the beloved longtime president of the club, and André Labarrère, then-mayor of Pau. Thanks to them, the Palais (still today the largest basketball-centered arena in France) was built, and the Elan were able to remain in their home region of Béarn
.
With the transition complete, the club carried on cementing their status as the dominant force of French basketball by winning seven more league championships. These are the most championships of any team in the history of the Pro A
. The last one came in 2004, the second of back-to-back titles, and the culmination of a golden-age for the club. The most spectacular season of all, however, was most likely exhibited a year earlier, in 2003, when the breathtaking abilities of two burgeoning young talents named Boris Diaw
and Mickaël Piétrus
were harnessed to spearhead the Élan Béarnais to a sweep of all three French trophies (League Championship, Coupe de France and Semaine des As). Following the season, both players were drafted in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft
.
Unfortunately, due to exodus of talent, a lack of coaching stability, and financial problems, the success of the club steadily waned from 2004 on, until rock-bottom was reached and the unthinkable happened: in 2009, the Élan Béarnais were relegated to the Pro B
, their first stint in the second division since 1976. To their credit, however, the club took this opportunity to re-structure and re-build, which resulted in the club winning the Pro B championship the very next season and earning immediate promotion back to their usual domain of Pro A basketball. In the 2010-11 season, their first back in the top flight, the club finished 9th, just missing the playoffs but a stabilizing result nonetheless.
In 2008, with Didier Gadou and Claude Bergeaud
in charge, the club underwent a minor name-change, becoming the Élan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez. The city of Lacq
's inclusion in the name and entrance onto the director's board strengthened the club's Béarn identity. In exchange, Lacq, located just north-west of Pau, now provides funding to the club.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
club that is based in Pau. They play their home games at the Palais des Sports de Pau
Palais des Sports de Pau
Palais de Sports de Pau is an indoor sporting arena located in Pau, France. The capacity of the arena is 7,856 people. It is currently home to the Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez basketball team.-External links:*...
.
History
The Élan Béarnais was founded in 1931 in the town of OrthezOrthez
Orthez is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.It lies 40 km NW of Pau on the Southern railway to Bayonne. The town also encompasses the small village of Sainte-Suzanne thus residents of the town are called either Orthéziens or Sainte-Suzannais...
. Up until then, the basketball club was merely a section of the Orthez sports club, founded in 1908. It was not a "club" in the modern sense, but rather a sponsorship created by clerics to enable young people to play sports.
The club first reached the top level of French professional basketball in 1973. They were immediately relegated back to the second division the following season, but returned to the top flight in 1976. The club then made their European debut one year later, in 1977, by qualifying for the Korać Cup
Korac Cup
The Korać Cup was an annual basketball club competition held by FIBA between the 1971-72 and 2001-02 seasons. It was the third-tier level club competition in European basketball, after the European Champions' Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup...
. They continued their ascent by winning the Korać Cup in 1984, defeating Red Star Belgrade
KK Crvena zvezda
Košarkaški klub Crvena zvezda is a professional basketball club based in Belgrade, Serbia. Its name Crvena zvezda means Red Star and it's part of the Red Star Belgrade sports society ....
in the final. This was the first of many pieces of silverware that would be added to the club's trophy cabinet over the next two decades.
More success followed as the Élan Béarnais were finally crowned champions of France, winning back-to-back titles in 1986 and 1987. This earned them entry into the European Champions' Cup (present-day Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
). Despite their status as newcomers they were not intimidated, completing their maiden campaign with a miraculous 3rd-place finish and a perfect record at home. It was a magical run, the club defeating such European giants as Žalgiris Kaunas
BC Žalgiris
BC Žalgiris is a professional basketball team that is based in Kaunas, Lithuania. It is one of the oldest teams in the Euroleague and plays domestically in the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga , and regionally in the VTB United League...
, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Real Madrid
Real Madrid Baloncesto
Real Madrid Baloncesto is a Spanish professional basketball team founded in 1932 as a division of the Real Madrid club. They play in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto ....
, and eventual 1987 champions Olimpia Milano
Olimpia Milano
Olimpia Milano is a Lega Basket Italian professional basketball team, based in Milan, Italy, founded in 1936 by Milan businessman Adolfo Bogoncelli. Its colors are red and white, and the team is sometimes referred as "Scarpette Rosse" because team officials imported from the United States red...
at their home court, La Moutète. The Élan Béarnais would remain a fixture in European competition every season thereafter, until 2008, setting a European longevity record of 31 years (1977–2008).
Now that this humble club from a village of 12,000 people at the foot of the Pyrénées
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
had blossomed into a power of European basketball, a move to a bigger city became a necessity. The club changed its name in 1989, becoming the Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez, and moved to the city of Pau, after the inauguration of the Palais des Sports
Palais des Sports de Pau
Palais de Sports de Pau is an indoor sporting arena located in Pau, France. The capacity of the arena is 7,856 people. It is currently home to the Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez basketball team.-External links:*...
in 1991. This move was made possible by the visionary efforts of two men: Pierre Seillant, the beloved longtime president of the club, and André Labarrère, then-mayor of Pau. Thanks to them, the Palais (still today the largest basketball-centered arena in France) was built, and the Elan were able to remain in their home region of Béarn
Béarn
Béarn is one of the traditional provinces of France, located in the Pyrenees mountains and in the plain at their feet, in southwest France. Along with the three Basque provinces of Soule, Lower Navarre, and Labourd, the principality of Bidache, as well as small parts of Gascony, it forms in the...
.
With the transition complete, the club carried on cementing their status as the dominant force of French basketball by winning seven more league championships. These are the most championships of any team in the history of the Pro A
Ligue Nationale de Basketball
The Ligue National de Basket is the top men's French professional basketball league. There are two divisions: French Pro A League and French Pro B League .-Pro A:...
. The last one came in 2004, the second of back-to-back titles, and the culmination of a golden-age for the club. The most spectacular season of all, however, was most likely exhibited a year earlier, in 2003, when the breathtaking abilities of two burgeoning young talents named Boris Diaw
Boris Diaw
Boris Babacar Diaw-Riffiod, better known as Boris Diaw , is a French professional basketball player for JSA Bordeaux in France. He has also played in the National Basketball Association for the Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, and Charlotte Bobcats...
and Mickaël Piétrus
Mickaël Piétrus
Mickaël Piétrus is a Caribbean-French professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. He is listed at 6'6", 215 pounds and plays both the small forward and shooting guard positions...
were harnessed to spearhead the Élan Béarnais to a sweep of all three French trophies (League Championship, Coupe de France and Semaine des As). Following the season, both players were drafted in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft
2003 NBA Draft
The 2003 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2003 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and...
.
Unfortunately, due to exodus of talent, a lack of coaching stability, and financial problems, the success of the club steadily waned from 2004 on, until rock-bottom was reached and the unthinkable happened: in 2009, the Élan Béarnais were relegated to the Pro B
Ligue Nationale de Basketball
The Ligue National de Basket is the top men's French professional basketball league. There are two divisions: French Pro A League and French Pro B League .-Pro A:...
, their first stint in the second division since 1976. To their credit, however, the club took this opportunity to re-structure and re-build, which resulted in the club winning the Pro B championship the very next season and earning immediate promotion back to their usual domain of Pro A basketball. In the 2010-11 season, their first back in the top flight, the club finished 9th, just missing the playoffs but a stabilizing result nonetheless.
In 2008, with Didier Gadou and Claude Bergeaud
Claude Bergeaud
Claude Bergeaud is a French basketball coach. From 2008 to 2010, he was the director general of the club Pau-Orthez.-Clubs:* 1996 - end of 1997 : Pau-Orthez : assistant coach...
in charge, the club underwent a minor name-change, becoming the Élan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez. The city of Lacq
Lacq
Lacq is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.It lies just northwest of the local capital of Pau.-Economy:...
's inclusion in the name and entrance onto the director's board strengthened the club's Béarn identity. In exchange, Lacq, located just north-west of Pau, now provides funding to the club.
Roster
| Jersey | Name | Birth year | Height (meter) | Nationality | Position |
| 4 | Demetric Bennett | 1985 | 1.93 |  |
Shooting guard Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
| 5 | Teddy Gipson | 1980 | 1.93 | |
Shooting guard Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
| 8 | Antoine Mendy Antoine Mendy Antoine Mendy is a French basketball player who plays for French Pro A league club Pau-Lacq-Orthez.-References:... |
1983 | 1.98 |  |
Small forward Small forward The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall... |
| 9 | Frédéric Moncade | 1978 | 1.82 | |
Point guard Point guard Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that... |
| 11 | Slaven Rimac Slaven Rimac Slaven Rimac is a Croatian professional basketball player born on December 19, 1974, in Zagreb . He was a member of the Croatian National Team in 1996 Olympic Games and 1997 Eurobasket... |
1974 | 1.95 |  |
Shooting guard Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
| 12 | Chinemelu Elonu Chinemelu Elonu Chinemelu D. Elonu, Jr. is a Nigerian American basketball player. He played college basketball for Texas A&M.-College career:... |
1987 | 2.08 |  |
Power Forward Power forward (basketball) Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low... /Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
| 13 | Marko Maravič Marko Maravič Marko Maravič is a Slovenian professional basketball player who currently plays for Pau-Orthez.-Pro career:... |
1979 | 2.01 |  |
Small Forward Small forward The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall... |
| 14 | Mustafa Shakur Mustafa Shakur Mustafadeen "Mustafa" Abdush Shakur is an American professional basketball player for A.S. Junior Pallacanestro Casale in Italy. He was not drafted by an NBA team, but he signed with and was subsequently released by the Sacramento Kings, before playing in any NBA regular season games... |
1984 | 1.93 | |
Point guard Point guard Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that... |
| 16 | Laurent Sciarra Laurent Sciarra Laurent Sciarra is a French basketball player.Sciarra began his professional career in 1990 with Hyères-Toulon Var Basket and moved to Paris Basket Racing in 1993, where he played until 1997 on the club's championship season... |
1973 | 1.96 | |
Shooting guard Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
| 19 | Georgi Joseph Georgi Joseph Georgi Joseph is a French Basketball player who plays for French Pro A league club Orleans.-References:... |
1982 | 1.97 | |
Small Forward Small forward The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall... |
| 20 | Jean-Frederic Morency Jean-Frederic Morency Jean-Frederic Morency is a French basketball player who plays for French Pro A league club Pau-Lacq-Orthez.-References:... |
1989 | 1.99 | |
Small Forward Small forward The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall... |
| - | Allan Ray Allan Ray Allan Ray is an American professional basketball player. He currently plays for the French team Pau-Orthez. He played college basketball for four years at Villanova University. He played one season with the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association... |
1984 | 1.88 | |
Point guard Point guard Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that... |
U20 Team
| |
Mickael Var | 2.05 | Power Forward Power forward (basketball) Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low... /Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
| |
Brice Rominger | 1.75 | Point Guard Point guard Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that... |
| |
Florian Lesca | 1.95 | Small Forward Small forward The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall... |
| |
Remi Lesca | 1.80 | Point Guard Point guard Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that... |
| |
Alexandre Mendy | 1.90 | Shooting Guard Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
| |
Romian Hillotte | 1.92 | Shooting Guard Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
| |
Miguel Buval | 2.08 | Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
| |
Tanguy Ramassamy | 2.04 | Power Forward Power forward (basketball) Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low... |
Honours
- French ChampionshipsLigue Nationale de BasketballThe Ligue National de Basket is the top men's French professional basketball league. There are two divisions: French Pro A League and French Pro B League .-Pro A:...
: (9) 1986, 1987, 1992, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004 - French Cups: (6) 1991, 1992, 1993, 2002, 2003, 2007
- Korać CupKorac CupThe Korać Cup was an annual basketball club competition held by FIBA between the 1971-72 and 2001-02 seasons. It was the third-tier level club competition in European basketball, after the European Champions' Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup...
: (1) 1984 - Semaine des AsSemaine des AsThe Semaine des As is an annual cup competition for French basketball teams. Created in 2003, it is organized by the Ligue Nationale de Basketball , the top French basketball league....
: (1) 2003
Notable players
- Marcus BrownMarcus BrownMarcus James Brown is a retired American professional basketball player. At 6'4" , he played as a shooting guard. Brown has been mentioned as being one of the top U.S. athletes to ever play abroad...
- Howard CarterHoward Carter (basketball)Howard O'Neal "Hi-C" Carter is a retired American professional basketball player....
- Emanual DavisEmanual DavisEmanual Davis is a retired American professional basketball player. As a 6'4" guard, Davis played college basketball at Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware...
- Boris DiawBoris DiawBoris Babacar Diaw-Riffiod, better known as Boris Diaw , is a French professional basketball player for JSA Bordeaux in France. He has also played in the National Basketball Association for the Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, and Charlotte Bobcats...
- Artur Drozdov
- Roger Esteller
- Conrad McRaeConrad McRaeConrad Bastien McRae was an American professional basketball player who was selected by the Washington Bullets in the 2nd round of the 1993 NBA Draft. McRae's professional career flourished overseas in Europe for teams in France, Italy, Greece and Turkey...
- Ian MahinmiIan MahinmiIan Mahinmi is a French professional basketball player, currently playing for the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA. At 6'11" and 230 lbs, he plays the position of power forward and center...
- Gheorghe MureşanGheorghe MuresanGheorghe Dumitru Mureşan, , also known as Ghiţă or George, is a retired Romanian professional basketball player. At 7 ft 7 in , he is one of the tallest players in NBA history, along with Sudanese player Manute Bol, who was also 7 ft 7 in. Both Mureşan's parents are of average size, and,...
- Johan PetroJohan PetroJohan Petro is a French professional basketball player of Guadeloupean descent who is playing for the New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association. A 7'0", 247 lbs. center, Petro was selected by the Sonics in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft...
- Mickaël PiétrusMickaël PiétrusMickaël Piétrus is a Caribbean-French professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. He is listed at 6'6", 215 pounds and plays both the small forward and shooting guard positions...
- Florent PiétrusFlorent PietrusFlorent Piétrus is a French professional basketball player. His younger brother Mickaël plays for the Phoenix Suns.-Pro career:...
- Antoine RigaudeauAntoine RigaudeauAntoine Roger Rigaudeau nicknamed Le Roi , is a retired French professional basketball player....
- DJ Fisher
- Josh GrantJosh GrantJoshua "Josh" David Grant is a retired American professional basketball player. The 6’9” , 223 pound Small/Power forward who graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1986 and attended the University of Utah, where he was an important player and still holds multiple basketball...
- Moochie NorrisMoochie NorrisMartyn "Moochie" Norris is an American former professional basketball player.Norris, a journeyman, played collegiately at Odessa College , at Auburn University and at the University of West Florida . He was drafted with 33rd overall pick of the 1996 NBA draft by Milwaukee Bucks...
- Freddy Hufnagel
- Didier Gadou
- Thierry GadouThierry GadouThierry Gadou is a French basketball player formerly with Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez. Gadou won a silver medal with the France national basketball team at the 2000 Summer Olympics.-References:...
- Tom SchefflerTom SchefflerTom Scheffler is retired American professional basketball player.-Career:Scheffler played collegiately at Purdue University before spending most of his career in Europe playing in Italy, Spain, Greece, Switzerland and France...
- Marc SalyersMarc SalyersMarc Douglas Salyers is a professional basketball player. He is a small forward-power forward.-College career:Salyers played college basketball at Samford University with the Samford Bulldogs from 1997–01....
- Lawrence FunderburkeLawrence FunderburkeLawrence Damon Funderburke is a retired American basketball player, formerly of the National Basketball Association.-Basketball career:...
- Stéphane RisacherStéphane RisacherStéphane Risacher is a basketball player from France, who won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics with the Men's National Team.-References:*...
- Laurent FoirestLaurent FoirestLaurent Foirest is a French basketball player with ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne. Foirest won a silver medal with the France national basketball team at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He stands at 6' 5¾" and he also played previously with Saski Baskonia of Spanish ACB.-References:...
- Moustapha SonkoMoustapha SonkoMoustapha Sonko is a basketball player from France, who won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics with the Men's National Team.-References:*...
- Antonio GravesAntonio GravesAntonio Graves Davis, born April 17, 1985 in Mansfield , is an American basketball player. He currently plays for Banvit B.K. .-Career:...
- Orlando PhillipsOrlando PhillipsOrlando Darryl Phillips is a retired American basketball player. He was a strong rebounding Center or Power Forward who also played in Australia and Europe during his career.-College career:...