R.C. Mechelen

History

Founded in the 1940, the basketball section of KRC Mechelen obtained the number 71. The greatest period of the club was in the second part of the 20th century competing against other powerful clubs like RC Mechelen, Antwerpse BC and Bus Fruit Lier from the largest cities of the Antwerp Province.

From the end of the 1960s until the end of the 1970s, RC Mechelen was always present as main rivals to the Standard BC Liège club and the Brussels side Fresh Air Basketball , BC Oostende in the 1980s, and Spirou Basket Club in the 1990s.

In total, the club won 24 Trophies between 1964 and 1994: 15 Belgian Championships and 9 Belgian Cups. Maes Pils also reached the final of the Korać Cup in 1973 where they were beaten by Italian side Pallacanestro Cantù.

R.C. Mechelen folded and merged with Sobabee to create Racing Basket Antwerpen, in 1995. Until it was dissolved, the club's senior team was the most successful Belgian basketball club, after having won a total of 15 Belgian national championships, 9 Belgian Cups, and 5 Belgian SuperCups.

Arena

R.C. Mechelen played its home games in Mechelen, at the Winketkaai arena.

Titles and honors

Domestic competitions

• Belgian League : Champions (15): 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1968–69, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1979–80, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 :Runners-up: 1980-81, 1982-83, 1984-85
• Belgian Cup : Winners (9): 1963–64, 1964–65, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1989–90, 1992–93, 1993–94 :Runners-up (1): 1968-69
• Belgian Supercup : Winners (5): 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 :Runners-up : 1989
• '''[[Top Division Men One| Belgian Second division]] ''' : Champions (1): 1960–61

European competitions

• FIBA Korać Cup : Runners-up (1): 1973

In European and worldwide competitions

Main article: R.C. Mechelen in international competitions

Notable players

• USA Jim Fox 1966–1967
• PUR Teófilo Cruz 1969–1970
• USA Ed Murphy 1979–1981
• BEL Ronny Bayer 1985–1990
• BEL Jef Eygel 1969–1970
• BEL Éric Struelens 1988–1995
• USA Bill Varner 1988–1995
• BEL Jacques Stas 1992–1995
• USA Rick Raivio 1985–1987
• BEL Rik Samaey 1985–1990

References

References

1. [https://web.archive.org/web/20141113092540/http://sathanasias.bravepages.com/b-teams/bt-bel.html#Standard Liege Belgium clubs - sathanasias]
2. [http://www.euroleague.net/ulebcup/competition/teams/showteam?clubcode=ANT Antwerp Giants]
3. [http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_OZZUinMSG8Q9FQAo8ErNc3.html The Korac Cup]