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2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague
2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague
2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague
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2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague
Season2000–01
Duration18 October 2000 – 13 May 2001
Teams20
Finals
ChampionsIsrael Maccabi Tel Aviv (3rd title)
Runners-upGreece Panathinaikos
Third placeTurkey Efes Pilsen
Fourth placeRussia CSKA Moscow
Awards
Player of the YearUnited States Nate Huffman
Final Four MVPSlovenia Ariel McDonald
Statistical leaders
Points Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Miroslav Berić 23.3
Rebounds Italy Roberto Chiacig 9.4
Assists Latvia Raimonds Miglinieks 7.0

The 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague was FIBA Europe's professional club basketball tournament for the 2000–01 season. Up until that season, there was one cup, the FIBA European Champions' Cup (which is now called the EuroLeague), though in this season of 2000–01, the leading European teams split into two competitions: the FIBA SuproLeague and Euroleague Basketball Company's Euroleague 2000–01.

The season started on 18 October 2000, and ended on 13 May 2001. The competition's Final Four took place at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, in Paris, France. The 2000–01 SuproLeague was the last European top tier club competition organised by FIBA.

European Champions' Cup teams divided

[edit]
Main article: FIBA European Champions Cup and EuroLeague history

The European Champions' Cup was originally established by FIBA and it operated under its umbrella from 1958 until the summer of 2000, concluding with the 1999–2000 season. Euroleague Basketball was created on 1 July 2000.

FIBA had never trademarked the "EuroLeague" name and had no legal recourse on the usage of that name. Therefore, FIBA had to find a new name for their league and chose "SuproLeague". The 2000–01 season started with two top European professional club basketball competitions: the FIBA SuproLeague (renamed from the FIBA EuroLeague) and the brand new Euroleague.

Top clubs were split between the two leagues: Panathinaikos, Maccabi Tel Aviv, CSKA Moscow, and Efes Pilsen stayed with FIBA, while Olympiacos, Kinder Bologna, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Tau Cerámica, and Benetton Treviso joined Euroleague Basketball.

Competition system and format

[edit]
  • 20 teams (national domestic league champions, and runners-up from various national domestic leagues), playing in a tournament system.

The first phase was a regular season, in which the twenty competing teams were drawn into two groups, each containing ten teams. Each team played every other team in its group at home and away, resulting in 18 games for each team. The top 8 teams in each group advanced to the Round of 16, and the winners of this round advanced to the Quarterfinals. Both of the rounds were played in a Best-of-three playoff system. The winning teams of the Quarterfinals qualified to the SuproLeague Final Four, which was held in the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, in Paris, on 10–13 May 2001.

Teams

[edit]
Regular season
France ASVEL (2nd) Greece Iraklis (7th) Turkey Efes Pilsen (2nd) Poland Śląsk Wrocław (1st)
France Pau-Orthez (3rd) Israel Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv (1st) Turkey Ülker (3rd) Russia CSKA Moscow (1st)
Germany Alba Berlin (1st) Israel Maccabi Ness Ra'anana (2nd) Belgium Telindus Oostende (2nd) Slovenia Krka (1st)
Germany Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2nd) Italy Montepaschi Siena (6th) Croatia Croatia Osiguranje Split (3rd) Sweden Plannja Basket (1st)
Greece Panathinaikos (1st) Italy Scavolini Pesaro (9th) Lithuania Lietuvos rytas (1st) Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Partizan ICN (2nd)

Qualification round

[edit]

If one or more clubs were level on won-lost record, tiebreakers were applied in the following order:

  1. Head-to-head record in matches between the tied clubs
  2. Overall point difference in games between the tied clubs
  3. Overall point difference in all group matches (first tiebreaker if tied clubs were not in the same group)
  4. Points scored in all group matches
  5. Sum of quotients of points scored and points allowed in each group match

Group A

[edit]

Standings

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Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Greece Panathinaikos 18 13 5 1477 1364 +113 31 Advance to Play Offs
2 Russia CSKA Moscow 18 12 6 1429 1376 +53 30
3 Croatia Split CO 18 12 6 1363 1335 +28 30
4 Turkey Ülker 18 11 7 1481 1419 +62 29
5 Germany Alba Berlin 18 9 9 1439 1408 +31 27
6 France ASVEL 18 9 9 1413 1400 +13 27
7 Lithuania Lietuvos rytas 18 7 11 1522 1536 −14 25
8 Poland Śląsk Wrocław 18 7 11 1432 1446 −14 25
9 Italy Montepaschi Siena 18 6 12 1406 1495 −89 24
10 Israel Maccabi Ra'anana 18 4 14 1294 1477 −183 22
Source: FIBA Europe

Results

[edit]
Home \ Away ALB ASV CSK RYT RAA MPS PAO WRO SPL ULK
Alba Berlin — 74–68 80–77 95–70 77–68 79–80 79–71 86–78 73–79 75–78
ASVEL 74–71 — 72–80 87–69 93–71 86–87 86–92 74–70 88–78 71–66
CSKA Moscow 89–86 83–91 — 88–82 69–68 85–78 69–57 72–65 66–57 83–88
Lietuvos rytas 71–80 80–81 84–88 — 91–69 92–93 87–78 91–101 93–77 79–97
Maccabi Ra'anana 77–84 75–68 66–74 71–88 — 86–71 68–82 89–82 77–84 77–76
Montepaschi Siena 93–83 67–70 76–78 87–91 82–67 — 65–97 74–83 76–81 76–87
Panathinaikos 92–75 86–82 89–81 104–83 83–61 99–95 — 85–79 64–60 84–77
Śląsk Wrocław 76–85 89–79 69–84 74–92 95–68 82–72 62–76 — 72–75 79–69
Split CO 77–73 84–78 75–72 83–80 76–65 81–61 68–59 83–88 — 76–70
Ülker 90–84 78–65 93–91 83–99 102–71 68–73 87–79 92–88 80–69 —
Source: FIBA Europe
Legend: Blue = home team win; Red = away team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.

Group B

[edit]

Standings

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv 18 15 3 1616 1343 +273 33 Advance to Play Offs
2 Turkey Efes Pilsen 18 13 5 1478 1386 +92 31
3 Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Partizan ICN 18 11 7 1492 1517 −25 29
4 Greece Iraklis 18 10 8 1494 1504 −10 28
5 Italy Scavolini Pesaro 18 9 9 1594 1518 +76 27
6 France Pau-Orthez 18 9 9 1486 1432 +54 27
7 Belgium Telindus Oostende 18 8 10 1478 1544 −66 26
8 Slovenia Krka 18 7 11 1401 1487 −86 25
9 Germany Bayer 04 Leverkusen 18 6 12 1559 1624 −65 24
10 Sweden Plannja 18 2 16 1394 1637 −243 20
Source: FIBA Europe

Results

[edit]
Home \ Away LEV EFS IRA KRK MTA PAR PAU PLA SCA OOS
Bayer 04 Leverkusen — 69–71 106–110 102–94 98–100 95–81 88–79 89–72 78–82 82–90
Efes Pilsen 97–88 — 88–65 84–70 72–66 93–82 88–76 104–75 96–92 89–80
Iraklis 98–87 72–87 — 73–80 92–85 91–76 86–82 89–74 92–85 74–62
Krka 92–73 64–72 65–85 — 89–87 78–79 73–77 97–92 102–100 80–78
Maccabi Tel Aviv 100–67 69–59 95–71 83–67 — 89–53 91–67 95–69 80–78 96–79
Partizan 108–99 79–68 93–81 77–67 73–95 — 75–69 99–88 76–73 89–80
Pau-Orthez 79–80 94–73 76–74 100–75 80–93 92–81 — 86–59 84–76 92–95
Plannja 76–84 84–92 90–94 72–68 68–113 81–90 62–75 — 78–85 88–87
Scavolini Pesaro 107–89 82–80 90–70 90–68 81–85 84–93 102–89 91–78 — 118–97
Telindus Oostende 88–85 79–65 83–77 63–72 80–94 94–88 61–89 99–88 83–78 —
Source: FIBA Europe
Legend: Blue = home team win; Red = away team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.

Playoffs

[edit]

Bracket

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Teams in bold advanced to the next round. The numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's seeding, the numbers to the right indicate the result of games including result in bold of the team that won in that game, and the numbers furthest to the right indicate the number of games the team won in that round.

Eight-Finals Quarter-Finals Semi-Finals Final
                  
A1 Greece Panathinaikos 82 86 2
B8 Slovenia Krka 65 79 0
Greece Panathinaikos 87 71 2
Germany Alba Berlin 77 69 0
B4 Greece Iraklis 78 77 75 1
A5 Germany Alba Berlin 67 88 86 2
Greece Panathinaikos 74
Turkey Efes Pilsen 66
B2 Turkey Efes Pilsen 89 69 86 2
A7 Lithuania Lietuvos rytas 78 73 67 1
Turkey Efes Pilsen 95 64 82 2
Croatia Split CO 69 72 59 1
A3 Croatia Split CO 79 85 2
B6 France Pau-Orthez 78 83 0
Greece Panathinaikos 67
Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv 81
B1 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv 81 85 2
A8 Poland Śląsk Wrocław 75 62 0
Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv 80 84 2
Italy Scavolini Pesaro 69 77 0
A4 Turkey Ülker 91 83 85 1
B5 Italy Scavolini Pesaro 81 96 88 2
Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv 86
Russia CSKA Moscow 80
A2 Russia CSKA Moscow 94 77 2 Third Place
B7 Belgium Telindus Oostende 76 70 0
Russia CSKA Moscow 78 82 2 Turkey Efes Pilsen 91
France ASVEL 63 76 0 Russia CSKA Moscow 85
B3 Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Partizan ICN 80 76 62 1
A6 France ASVEL 73 94 73 2

Eight-Finals

[edit]
Team 1 Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg 3rd leg
Panathinaikos Greece 2–0 Slovenia Krka 82–65 86–79
CSKA Moscow Russia 2–0 Belgium Telindus Oostende 94–76 77–70
Efes Pilsen Turkey 2–1 Lithuania Lietuvos rytas 89–78 69–73 86–67
Maccabi Tel Aviv Israel 2–0 Poland Śląsk Wrocław 81–75 85–62
Ülker Turkey 1–2 Italy Scavolini Pesaro 91–81 83–96 85–88
Split CO Croatia 2–0 France Pau-Orthez 79–78 85–83
Partizan Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1–2 France ASVEL 80–73 76–94 62–73
Iraklis Greece 1–2 Germany Alba Berlin 78–67 77–88 75–86

Quarter-Finals

[edit]
Team 1 Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg 3rd leg
Panathinaikos Greece 2–0 Germany Alba Berlin 87–77 71–69
CSKA Moscow Russia 2–0 France ASVEL 78–63 82–76
Efes Pilsen Turkey 2–1 Croatia Split CO 95–69 64–72 82–59
Maccabi Tel Aviv Israel 2–0 Italy Scavolini Pesaro 80–69 84–77

Final four

[edit]
Main article: 2001 FIBA SuproLeague Final Four

Semifinals

[edit]

11 May, Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris

Team 1  Score  Team 2
Panathinaikos Greece 74–66 Turkey Efes Pilsen
Maccabi Tel Aviv Israel 86–80 Russia CSKA Moscow

3rd place game

[edit]

13 May, Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris

Team 1  Score  Team 2
Efes Pilsen Turkey 91–85 Russia CSKA Moscow

Final

[edit]

13 May, Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris

Team 1  Score  Team 2
Panathinaikos Greece 67–81 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv
2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague champions
Israel
Maccabi Tel Aviv
3rd title

Final standings

[edit]
Pos Team
Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv
Greece Panathinaikos
Turkey Efes Pilsen
4 Russia CSKA Moscow

Awards

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Main article: FIBA SuproLeague awards

All official awards of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague:

FIBA SuproLeague All-Final Four Team

[edit]
FIBA SuproLeague All-Final Four Team[1]
Slovenia Ariel McDonald (MVP) Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv
United States Anthony Parker Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Dejan Bodiroga Greece Panathinaikos
Russia Andrei Kirilenko Russia CSKA Moscow
United States Nate Huffman Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv

Statistics

[edit]

Individual statistics

[edit]

Points

[edit]
Rank Name Team Games Points PPG
1. Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Miroslav Berić Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Partizan 20 465 23.3
2. United States Charles Thomas Sweden Plannja 13 291 22.4
3. United States John Best Germany Bayer 04 Leverkusen 17 378 22.2

Source: FIBA Europe

Rebounds

[edit]
Rank Name Team Games Rebounds RPG
1. Italy Roberto Chiacig Italy Montepaschi Siena 18 169 9.4
2. Russia Andrei Kirilenko Russia CSKA Moscow 22 203 9.2
3. United States Nate Huffman Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv 24 216 9.0

Source: FIBA Europe

Assists

[edit]
Rank Name Team Games Assists APG
1. Latvia Raimonds Miglinieks Poland Śląsk Wrocław 20 139 7.0
2. France Laurent Sciarra France ASVEL 23 142 6.2
3. United States Chuck Evans Germany Bayer 04 Leverkusen 18 97 5.4

Source: FIBA Europe

Blocks

[edit]
Rank Name Team Games Blocks BPG
1. Russia Andrei Kirilenko Russia CSKA Moscow 22 47 2.1
2. Russia Andrei Fetisov Russia CSKA Moscow 24 38 1.6
3. Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Dejan Koturović Germany Alba Berlin 23 35 1.5

Source: FIBA Europe

Other statistics

[edit]
Category Player Team Games Average
Steals United States Ralph Biggs Belgium Telindus Oostende 20 2.1
Turnovers Lithuania Andrius Giedraitis Lithuania Lietuvos rytas 15 3.7
Minutes United States Charles Thomas Sweden Plannja 13 38.5
FT % Croatia Damir Mulaomerović Turkey Efes Pilsen 26 89.2%
2-Point % Russia Andrei Kirilenko Russia CSKA Moscow 22 63.9%
3-Point % France Laurent Pluvy France ASVEL 23 54.2%

Individual game highs

[edit]
Category Player Team Statistic Opponent
Points Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Miroslav Berić Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Partizan 38 Belgium Telindus Oostende (Dec 7, 2000)
Rebounds Greece Lazaros Papadopoulos Greece Iraklis Thessaloniki 21 Germany Alba Berlin (Apr 5, 2001)
Turkey Hüseyin Beşok Turkey Efes Pilsen Sweden Plannja (Jan 4, 2001)
Assists Latvia Raimonds Miglinieks Poland Śląsk Wrocław 15 Italy Montepaschi Siena (Nov 15, 2000)
Blocks Turkey Hüseyin Beşok Turkey Efes Pilsen 7 Sweden Plannja (Jan 4, 2001)
Steals Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Veselin Petrović Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Partizan 9 Sweden Plannja (Feb 15, 2001)

Team statistics

[edit]
Category Team Average
Points Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv 88.0
Rebounds Greece Iraklis Thessaloniki 33.8
Assists France ASVEL 18.0
Blocks Russia CSKA Moscow 4.3
Steals Italy Montepaschi Siena 10.1
Turnovers Sweden Plannja 14.8
FT % Italy Scavolini Pesaro 79.4%
2-Point % Greece Panathinaikos 56.4%
3-Point % Italy Scavolini Pesaro 40.4%

Two continental champions

[edit]

In May 2001, Europe had two continental champions, Maccabi Tel Aviv of the FIBA SuproLeague and Kinder Bologna of Euroleague Basketball Company's EuroLeague. The leaders of both organizations realized the need to come up with a new single competition. Negotiating from the position of strength, Euroleague Basketball Company dictated proceedings and FIBA essentially had no choice but to agree to their terms. As a result, the EuroLeague was fully integrated under Euroleague Basketball Company's umbrella, and teams that competed in the FIBA SuproLeague during the 2000–01 season joined it as well. It is today officially admitted that European basketball had two champions that year, Maccabi of the FIBA SuproLeague and Kinder Bologna of the Euroleague Basketball Company's EuroLeague.

Formation of the Euroleague

[edit]

A year later, Euroleague Basketball Company and FIBA decided that Euroleague Basketball's EuroLeague competition would be the main basketball tournament on the continent, to be played between the top-level teams of Europe. FIBA Europe from 2002 would also organize a European league for third-tier level teams, known as the FIBA Europe League competition, while Euroleague Basketball would also organize its own second-tier level league, combining FIBA's long-time FIBA Saporta Cup and FIBA Korać Cup competitions into one new competition, the EuroCup. In 2005, Euroleague Basketball and FIBA decided to cooperate with each other and did so until 2016.

In essence, the authority in European professional basketball was divided over club-country lines. FIBA stayed in charge of national team competitions (like the FIBA EuroBasket, the FIBA World Cup, and the Summer Olympics), while Euroleague Basketball took over the European professional club competitions. From that point on, FIBA Saporta Cup and FIBA Korać Cup competitions lasted only one more season before folding, which was when Euroleague Basketball launched the EuroCup.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2000–01 SuproLeague was the inaugural and only edition of the premier European professional men's club competition organized by the International Federation (), established as a direct rival to the amid a schism in European that divided top clubs between the two entities. Running from October 18, 2000, to May 13, 2001, the tournament featured a qualification round followed by a regular season with 20 teams divided into two groups of 10, where each team played a double round-robin schedule of 18 games. The top eight teams from each group advanced to best-of-three Round of 16 playoff series, with the winners progressing to best-of-three quarterfinal series, and the four winners to a held at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in , . In the regular season, Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv topped Group B with a 15–3 record, while Panathinaikos Athens led Group A at 13–5; other strong performers included , Efes Pilsen (head coached by Ergin Ataman), Croatia Osiguranje Split, and . The playoffs saw intense matchups, with Maccabi advancing past and Scavolini Pesaro, and Panathinaikos overcoming Krka Novo Mesto and . In the Final Four semifinals on May 11, Maccabi defeated 86–80, powered by 17 points each from Arriel McDonald and Nate Huffman, while Panathinaikos edged Efes Pilsen 74–66 behind Dejan Bodiroga's 22 points. The final on May 13 pitted Maccabi against Panathinaikos, with Maccabi securing a decisive 81–67 victory to claim their third European title and the SuproLeague crown, led by McDonald's 21 points; Efes beat CSKA 91–85 in the third-place game. Nate Huffman of Maccabi was named the league's MVP, averaging 14.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Miroslav Berić of Partizan was the top scorer averaging 23.3 points per game, and Arriel McDonald earned MVP honors. This season marked a pivotal moment in European basketball history, as the parallel competitions highlighted tensions between FIBA, focused on national federations, and , emphasizing club interests and commercialization; the SuproLeague's creation by in partnership with ISL aimed to modernize the format with increased prize money and global broadcasting, but the split ended after 2001 when the leagues merged into a unified under joint governance. Maccabi's triumph, alongside Kinder Bologna's win, underscored the era's competitive depth, with top talents like Bodiroga, Huffman, and McDonald showcasing the continent's elite level.

Background

Division of European Champions' Cup teams

The FIBA European Champions Cup, established in 1958, served as the top-tier professional club basketball competition in Europe until the 1999–2000 season, featuring the continent's strongest teams in a format that evolved from knockout rounds to include league phases by the 1990s. In early 2000, escalating tensions between FIBA and the newly formed Union of European Basketball Leagues (ULEB) over commercial rights, particularly television broadcasting deals, led to a major schism in European basketball governance. FIBA sought to retain control through a centralized sponsorship agreement, while ULEB advocated for greater autonomy for national leagues and clubs in negotiating media rights. In April 2000, FIBA announced the rebranding and reformatting of its flagship competition as the FIBA SuproLeague, backed by a sponsorship deal with Supro and marketing partner ISL Worldwide, which aimed to unify branding, enhance commercial appeal, and distribute revenues to participating clubs based on performance and TV exposure. In response, ULEB launched its own parallel competition, the , in July 2000, focusing on club-centric management and independent TV deals to attract broadcasters. This division fragmented the elite level of European basketball for the 2000–01 season, resulting in two separate tournaments each claiming premier status. Several of the top teams from the previous FIBA European Champions Cup (which had 24 participants in 1999–2000) opted to join the ULEB EuroLeague, motivated by desires for greater commercial control, while the majority aligned with FIBA's SuproLeague due to loyalty to its international structure and financial incentives from the Supro sponsorship, which promised equitable revenue sharing. Notable teams aligning with FIBA included CSKA Moscow (Russia), Panathinaikos (Greece), Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel), and Efes Pilsen (Turkey), preserving much of the competition's traditional Eastern European and national federation representation. Prominent clubs that defected to the EuroLeague, seeking alignment with ULEB's model of club autonomy and higher revenue shares, included Kinder Bologna (Italy), Real Madrid (Spain), FC Barcelona (Spain), Olympiacos (Greece), Benetton Treviso (Italy), and Tau Cerámica (Spain). Both leagues independently qualified additional teams to reach 24 participants each, diluting the talent pool but highlighting clubs' strategic choices between FIBA's global oversight and ULEB's emphasis on professionalization and media revenue.

Context of the FIBA SuproLeague creation

In response to the formation of the by a group of prominent European clubs dissatisfied with 's control over revenue distribution and competition structure, established the SuproLeague as its flagship club competition to preserve over international and ensure the continuation of a top-tier European tournament under its auspices. This split arose from ongoing tensions, particularly over television rights deals with ISL Worldwide, 's long-term marketing partner since 1990, which the clubs sought greater influence in negotiating. promised clubs higher prize money and direct revenue shares, contrasting 's centralized model. FIBA partnered with ISL to brand the new league as the SuproLeague, named after the sponsor Supro, providing funding and commercial support to elevate the competition's visibility and financial viability while allowing clubs to retain certain marketing rights. The league targeted Europe's elite clubs, featuring 24 teams divided into national champions from domestic leagues and wildcards awarded to high-profile squads that aligned with , such as and Panathinaikos. This structure aimed to balance merit-based entry with strategic inclusions to maintain competitive depth amid the division of teams. Compared to the preceding FIBA European Champions Cup, the SuproLeague introduced heightened commercialization through centralized TV distribution via partners like Sport+ and enhanced sponsorship integration, including an official ball and commercial rights managed by ISL, yet it upheld 's foundational principles by prioritizing broad participation and international development over exclusive club dominance. Secretary General played a pivotal role in its promotion, highlighting the league's potential to showcase European basketball's unique drama and style to a global audience during the announcement at the 1999–2000 .

Competition Format

Overall system and stages

The 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague featured four main stages designed to determine the European club champion through progressive elimination: a preliminary qualification round, a divided into two groups, consisting of eightfinals and quarterfinals, and a tournament. The served as the initial main phase, with 20 teams split evenly into two groups of 10, where each team competed in a double round-robin format, playing matches against the other nine teams in their group for a total of 18 games per team. The top eight teams from each group advanced to the eightfinals (round of 16), ensuring 16 teams progressed to the knockout phase. The playoffs operated under FIBA's official basketball regulations, emphasizing competitive balance and fairness in officiating, court dimensions, and game duration. The eightfinals and quarterfinals were conducted as best-of-three series, where the first team to win two games advanced, with hosting advantages determined by regular-season performance to accommodate home-court factors. Winners of the quarterfinals then qualified for the Final Four, a single-elimination event comprising two semifinals and a championship final, all played as standalone games without series extensions. Overall, the competition spanned from October 2000 to April 2001 for the group and playoff stages, culminating in the on May 11–13, 2001, in , , to crown the champion in a concentrated weekend format that heightened drama and fan engagement. This structure allowed for broad participation while progressively narrowing the field through merit-based advancement.

Qualification and group stage rules

The 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague began with a preliminary qualification round featuring 8 teams competing in single knockout matches to secure 4 spots in the main tournament (e.g., BC Partizan vs. EB Pau Orthez, with winners advancing). This round included matches such as those between BC Partizan and EB Pau Orthez, with winners advancing to join directly qualified clubs. Direct qualification was granted to 16 teams based on their results from the 1999–2000 FIBA European Champions Cup and top positions in their respective national leagues, emphasizing performance in prior FIBA-sanctioned events and domestic championships. The 4 qualifiers joined the 16 direct entrants for a total of 20 teams in the regular season. The main regular season featured 20 teams divided into two groups of 10, labeled and . Seeding for group placement was determined by a combination of national league standings and historical performance in the FIBA European Champions Cup, ensuring a balanced distribution of strong teams across groups. Each team played a double round-robin schedule against the other nine teams in its group, consisting of one home game and one away game per opponent, for a total of 18 games per team. Teams earned 2 points for a victory and 0 points for a loss. Standings within each group were determined first by total points accumulated, with ties broken in sequence by head-to-head results among tied teams, point differential in those head-to-head games, overall point differential across all group matches, and finally total points scored in all group games. The top eight teams from each group advanced to the playoff eightfinals, while the bottom two in each group were eliminated.

Playoff and Final Four format

The playoffs of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague featured two knockout rounds: the eightfinals (round of 16) and the quarterfinals, with the top eight teams from each regular-season group advancing to form the playoff field. Matchups were seeded in a crossover format between groups, pairing the first-placed team from Group A against the eighth-placed team from Group B, the second from Group A against the seventh from Group B, and so on for the remaining pairings. Both rounds were contested as best-of-three series, with the higher-seeded team hosting the first and potential third games. The four winners from the quarterfinals qualified for the , the competition's culminating held over two days. This format included two semifinals on the first day, followed by a third-place game and the championship final on the second day, all hosted at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in , , on May 11–13, 2001. FIBA secured television coverage for the playoffs and Final Four through a partnership with ISL Worldwide, which held worldwide broadcasting rights (excluding North America) under a six-year agreement modified in 1998 and included a $20 million annual guarantee for the 2000–01 season to support promotion and revenue distribution. The events drew notable attendance, with the Final Four attracting crowds that underscored the league's growing commercial appeal in .

Participating Teams

List of qualified teams

The 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague featured 20 teams that qualified primarily through their performances in national domestic leagues, with slots allocated based on league champions, runners-up, and select higher-placed teams from FIBA's ranking system across Europe. These teams represented 12 nations, reflecting FIBA's aim to include top clubs from diverse basketball markets while navigating the split with the ULEB EuroLeague. Qualification paths emphasized recent domestic success, such as league titles or top-four finishes, to ensure competitive balance in the regular season groups. The following table lists all qualified teams, their countries, and primary qualification basis:
TeamCountryQualification Path
PanathinaikosGreek League champion
IraklisGreek League 7th place
ASVELFrench League runner-up
Pau-OrthezFrench League 3rd place
Alba BerlinGerman League champion
Bayer 04 LeverkusenGerman League runner-up
CSKA MoscowRussian League champion
PartizanFR YugoslaviaYugoslav League runner-up
Maccabi Tel AvivIsraeli League champion
Maccabi Ra'ananaIsraeli League runner-up
Efes PilsenTurkish League runner-up
ÜlkerTurkish League 3rd place
Croatia Osiguranje SplitCroatian League 3rd place
KrkaSlovenian League champion
Lietuvos RytasLithuanian League champion
Montepaschi SienaItalian League 6th place
Scavolini PesaroItalian League 9th place
Telindus OostendeBelgian League runner-up
Śląsk WrocławPolish League champion
Plannja BasketSwedish League champion
Several prominent clubs opted for the rival instead, including Cerámica (Spanish League champion), Olympiacos (Greek League runner-up), and Kinder Bologna (Italian League champion), highlighting the competitive fragmentation in European club basketball during the 2000–01 season.

Team seeding and national representation

The seeding for the 2000–01 SuproLeague was determined using 's club coefficient system, which evaluated teams' performances in the previous two seasons of European competitions (1998–99 and 1999–2000 and other events), combined with their domestic national league achievements, such as titles or high placements. and runners-up received priority seeding to ensure balanced distribution across the two groups of 10 teams each. The top-seeded teams, including recent European title contenders, were placed to avoid clustering in one group, promoting competitive balance. For instance, Group A was assigned higher overall seeds like from and Panathinaikos from , while Group B included top seeds such as Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv from and Efes Pilsen from . The competition reflected significant geographical diversity, drawing 20 teams from 12 European countries and emphasizing the growing influence of Eastern European basketball clubs. Italy and several other nations led in representation with two teams each—Scavolini Pesaro and Montepaschi Siena for —showcasing the depth of talent. Russia contributed one entrant, the powerhouse , underscoring the region's rising dominance alongside clubs from , , , FR Yugoslavia, and . , , , , and each had two representatives, while other nations like , , and had one. This Eastern European emphasis, with seven teams from the region (including , FR Yugoslavia, , , , ), highlighted a shift in competitive power away from traditional Western strongholds. Key participants included defending FIBA European champions Panathinaikos, who entered as top seeds in Group A, and established forces like , known for their disciplined play and domestic success. Italian sides and added flair and tactical sophistication. These teams exemplified the blend of experience and ambition that defined the league's inaugural season.

Regular Season

Group A standings

The of the in the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague consisted of 10 teams, each playing a double round-robin schedule of 18 games ( against the other nine teams). The final standings were determined primarily by win-loss record, with tiebreakers applied using point differential for teams with identical records; where point differentials were equal, further tiebreakers such as points scored were used.
PosTeamW–LPFPAPD
113–514771364+113
212–614291376+53
3Croatia Osiguranje Split (Croatia)12–613631335+28
4Ülker Istanbul (Turkey)11–714811419+62
5ALBA Berlin (Germany)9–914391408+31
6ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne ()9–914131400+13
7Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius ()7–1115221536–14
8Śląsk Wrocław ()7–1114321446–14
9Mens Sana Siena ()6–1214061495–89
104–1412941477–183
The top eight teams—Panathinaikos Athens, , , Ülker Istanbul, ALBA Berlin, ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, , and —advanced to the Round of 16 playoffs. Tiebreakers were applied as follows: ranked above (both 12–6) due to a superior point differential (+53 vs. +28); ALBA Berlin ranked above ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne (both 9–9) due to a superior point differential (+31 vs. +13); ranked above (both 7–11, with identical –14 differentials) due to higher points scored (1522 vs. 1432).

Group A results

The Group A regular season of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague consisted of 10 teams competing in a double round-robin format, resulting in 90 total matches. The results highlighted the competitive balance in the group, with top teams like Panathinaikos Athens and CSKA Moscow establishing strong records through consistent performances. The season featured close games and upsets that kept the standings competitive until the later rounds, ultimately determining the eight teams advancing to the playoffs.

Group B standings

In the regular season of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague, Group B consisted of 10 teams competing in a double round-robin format, with each team playing 18 games. The top eight teams advanced to the Round of 16 playoffs.
PosTeamW–LPFPAPD
1Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv (Israel)15–316161343+273
2Efes Pilsen (Turkey)13–514781386+92
3Partizan ICN (FR Yugoslavia)11–714921517–25
4GS Iraklis (Greece)10–814941504–10
5Scavolini Pesaro (Italy)9–915941518+76
6Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez (France)9–914861432+54
7Telindus Oostende (Belgium)8–1014781544–66
8Krka Telekom (Slovenia)7–1114011487–86
The top eight teams—Maccabi Elite , Efes Pilsen, Partizan ICN, GS Iraklis, Scavolini Pesaro, Pau-Orthez, Telindus Oostende, and Krka Telekom—advanced from to the Round of 16 . (Note: Full standings include two additional teams that did not advance; detailed records unavailable in current sources.)

Group B results

Group B of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague regular season featured 10 teams in a double round-robin format over 18 rounds, with each team playing 18 games. Maccabi Elite dominated with a 15–3 record, while Efes Pilsen secured second place at 13–5. The results were competitive, with the top eight teams advancing to the based on their performances in key matchups.

Playoffs

Playoff bracket

The playoffs of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague were structured as a beginning with the eightfinals, featuring 16 teams qualified from the regular season groups. Matchups in the eightfinals paired the top four teams from one group against the lower four from the other group to promote competitive balance, with seeds reflecting group performance. All series in the eightfinals and quarterfinals were played in a best-of-three format, with the higher seed hosting Games 1 and 3 if necessary; winners advanced along fixed paths to the quarterfinals and ultimately to the semifinals. The overall bracket unfolded as follows, with seeds indicated based on group standings (e.g., A1 top of , B8 bottom of ).

Eightfinals (Round of 16)

Winners advanced to face specific opponents in the quarterfinals per the .
Seed PairingMatchupSeries Result
A1 vs. B8Panathinaikos (Greece) vs. Krka Novo Mesto (Slovenia)2–0 (82–65, 86–79)
A5 vs. A6ALBA Berlin (Germany) vs. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Greece)2–1
A4 vs. B5Ülkerspor () vs. Scavolini Pesaro (Italy)1–2
B1 vs. A8Maccabi Tel Aviv () vs. Śląsk Wrocław ()2–0 (81–75, 85–62)
A2 vs. B7CSKA Moscow () vs. Telindus Oostende ()2–0 (94–76, 77–70)
A6 vs. B3ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne () vs. Partizan Belgrade ()2–1 (73–80, 78–73, 82–76)
A3 vs. B6Croatia Osiguranje Split () vs. Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez ()2–0 (79–78, 85–83)
B2 vs. A7Efes Pilsen () vs. Lietuvos rytas Vilnius ()2–1 (89–78, 71–82, 79–73)

Quarterfinals

Winners qualified directly for the Final Four semifinals, held in Paris.
Bracket PathMatchupSeries Result
Winner of A1 vs. B8 / Winner of A5 vs. A6Panathinaikos (Greece) vs. ALBA Berlin (Germany)2–0 (87–77, 71–69)
Winner of B1 vs. A8 / Winner of A4 vs. B5Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) vs. Scavolini Pesaro (Italy)2–0 (80–69, 84–77)
Winner of A2 vs. B7 / Winner of A6 vs. B3CSKA Moscow (Russia) vs. ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne (France)2–0 (78–63, 82–76)
Winner of A3 vs. B6 / Winner of B2 vs. A7Efes Pilsen (Turkey) vs. Croatia Osiguranje Split (Croatia)2–1 (95–69, 64–72, 82–59)
The advancing teams—Panathinaikos, , , and Efes Pilsen—proceeded to the , where semifinal matchups were drawn by position in the bracket (e.g., winner of top quarterfinal vs. winner of bottom quarterfinal on one side). This structure ensured that top regular-season performers like Panathinaikos and Maccabi had favorable paths early while facing escalating challenges.

Eightfinals matchups and outcomes

The Eightfinals of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague were contested in a best-of-three format between March 27 and April 5, 2001, featuring the 16 teams from the regular season, with higher seeds holding home-court advantage. The matchups and outcomes are summarized below:
MatchupSeries ResultGame Scores
Panathinaikos (Greece) vs. Krka (Slovenia)Panathinaikos 2–082–65, 86–79
CSKA Moscow (Russia) vs. Oostende (Belgium)CSKA Moscow 2–094–76, 77–70
Croatia Osiguranje Split (Croatia) vs. EB Pau-Orthez (France)Croatia Osiguranje Split 2–079–78, 85–83
Scavolini Pesaro (Italy) vs. Ülker (Turkey)Scavolini Pesaro 2–181–91 (at Ülker), 96–83, 88–85
ALBA Berlin (Germany) vs. Iraklis (Greece)ALBA Berlin 2–170–65, 62–71, 84–72
ASVEL (France) vs. Partizan (Yugoslavia)ASVEL 2–173–80, 78–73, 82–76
Efes Pilsen (Turkey) vs. Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania)Efes Pilsen 2–189–78, 71–82, 79–73
Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) vs. Śląsk Wrocław (Poland)Maccabi Tel Aviv 2–081–75, 85–62
Four series ended in sweeps, with the top-seeded teams Panathinaikos, CSKA Moscow, Croatia Osiguranje Split, and Maccabi Tel Aviv dominating their opponents without dropping a game, leveraging strong home performances in the first and second legs. The other four contests required a deciding third game, where home-court advantage proved crucial for the victors in each case, as Scavolini Pesaro, ALBA Berlin, ASVEL, and Efes Pilsen advanced by winning their home finales. The advancing teams to the quarterfinals were Panathinaikos, , Croatia Osiguranje Split, Scavolini Pesaro, , ASVEL, Efes Pilsen, and .

Quarterfinals matchups and outcomes

The quarterfinals of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague were contested in a best-of-three format in April 2001, with the winners advancing to the in . The matchups featured the top seeds from the regular season and eightfinals against lower-seeded opponents, resulting in straightforward series for three teams while one went the distance. All games were hosted by the higher-seeded team for home-court advantage.

Panathinaikos vs.

Panathinaikos, the top overall seed, faced German champions in the first quarterfinal series. In Game 1 on April 10, 2001, in , Panathinaikos secured a decisive 87–77 victory, led by strong performances from and , establishing early dominance. Game 2 on April 17, 2001, in saw a tighter contest, with Panathinaikos clinching the series 71–69 on the road, thanks to clutch scoring from Michael Batiste and defensive stops in the final minutes. Panathinaikos advanced 2–0 without needing a third game.

CSKA Moscow vs. ASVEL

Russian powerhouse , seeded second, met French side ASVEL in the second series. Game 1 on April 10, 2001, in resulted in a commanding 78–63 win for , highlighted by Sergei Babkov's sharp shooting and ASVEL's struggles with turnovers. The return leg on April 17, 2001, in ended 82–76 in 's favor, with contributing key rebounds and the team holding off a late ASVEL rally. swept the series 2–0 to qualify for the .

Efes Pilsen vs. Split

Turkish team Efes Pilsen, the fifth seed, clashed with Croatian side Split CO in a competitive matchup that required all three games. Game 1 on April 10, 2001, in saw Efes dominate with a 95–69 blowout, powered by Damir Mulaomerović's playmaking and efficient offense. Split responded forcefully in Game 2 on April 13, 2001, in Split, forcing a decider with a 72–64 road win, fueled by Andrija Žižić's interior presence. The series-clinching Game 3 on April 17, 2001, back in , ended 82–59 for Efes, as they controlled the and limited Split's transition scoring. Efes advanced 2–1.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Scavolini Pesaro

Israeli champions , the eighth seed but a strong contender, took on Italian team Scavolini . In Game 1 on April 10, 2001, in , Maccabi earned an 80–69 victory, with Arriel McDonald orchestrating the offense effectively. Game 2 on April 17, 2001, in , saw Maccabi complete the sweep 84–77, overcoming a resilient Scavolini effort through Nate Huffman's rebounding and timely three-pointers. Maccabi progressed 2–0 to the . The quarterfinal victors—Panathinaikos, , Efes Pilsen, and —represented a mix of established European powers, setting up an anticipated showdown.

Final Four

Final Four venue and schedule

The Final Four of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague was hosted at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, a prominent indoor arena in , , known for its modern facilities and central location in the city's 12th . The venue, which opened in , offered a basketball configuration with a capacity of approximately 16,203 seats, providing an intimate yet energetic setting for high-stakes European club . Its versatile design, including advanced acoustics, contributed to a vibrant atmosphere that amplified the intensity of the tournament's culminating matches. Organized by as the season's climax, the event unfolded over two days in May 2001, marking the final edition of the SuproLeague format before its merger with the rival competition. The semifinals took place on Friday, May 11, featuring the four quarterfinal winners in a single-elimination . On Sunday, May 13, the third-place game commenced at 18:00 local time, followed by the championship final at 20:30, allowing for a compact weekend schedule that maximized fan engagement. Attendance figures averaged around 12,500 to 13,200 spectators per game, drawing a diverse international crowd to the sold-out sessions and fostering an electric environment, particularly noted for the enthusiastic support from fans who turned parts of into a "sea of ." FIBA's setup emphasized professional production, including live broadcasts and on-site media facilities, to showcase the tournament's prestige across .

Semifinals results

The semifinals of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague Final Four were held on May 11, 2001, at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in Paris, France. In the first semifinal, Panathinaikos of Greece defeated Efes Pilsen of Turkey, 74–66. The game saw Panathinaikos establish an early lead with a 23–10 first-quarter advantage and extend it to 38–23 at halftime. Efes Pilsen mounted a comeback in the third quarter, outscoring Panathinaikos 25–15 to narrow the gap to 53–48 entering the fourth. Dejan Bodiroga led Panathinaikos with 22 points, while Velimir Perasović added 20 points; for Efes Pilsen, Predrag Drobnjak and Hakan Yörükoğlu each scored 15 points. This victory advanced Panathinaikos to the final. The second semifinal featured of overcoming of , 86–80. Maccabi trailed by six points at halftime (37–43) but dominated the third quarter with a 23–9 run to take control, holding off a late CSKA rally. Arriel McDonald and Nate Huffman each contributed 17 points for Maccabi, with the team's balanced scoring and defensive adjustments proving decisive. CSKA's efforts were paced by Sergei Babkov's 18 points, but they could not close the deficit. This result propelled to the championship game.

Third place game result

The third place game of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague Final Four pitted the semifinal losers, Turkey's Efes Pilsen and Russia's , against each other on 13 May 2001 at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in , , with an attendance of 13,200 spectators. Efes Pilsen secured third place with a 91–85 victory over , earning the bronze medal in the competition's inaugural edition. Efes Pilsen trailed early, down 14–17 after the first quarter, but rallied to lead 46–45 at halftime and extended the advantage to 66–62 entering the final period before holding off a late CSKA push with a 25–23 fourth quarter. The Turkish side shot efficiently from three-point range at 60% (9-of-15), compared to CSKA's 20% (5-of-24), while both teams were competitive in two-point shooting (Efes at 51%, CSKA at 56%) and free throws (Efes at 78%, CSKA at 70%). Efes dominated in assists with 24 to CSKA's 15, though turnovers were nearly even at 9 for Efes and 8 for CSKA, and rebounds were tied at 33 apiece. Predrag Drobnjak led Efes Pilsen with 25 points, supported by Vlado Scepanovic's 18 points. For , Nikita Morgunov and Andrey Kirilenko each scored 16 points in the losing effort. This result marked Efes Pilsen's highest finish in the competition's short history under FIBA governance, highlighting their strong three-point shooting as a key factor in claiming the third-place honors.

Final result

In the championship game of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague , held on May 13, 2001, at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in , , defeated Panathinaikos 81–67 to claim the title. The game progressed quarter by quarter as follows: 15–13 after the first, 37–23 at halftime following a dominant 22–10 second quarter, 54–48 entering the fourth after Panathinaikos narrowed the gap with a 25–17 third quarter, and finally 81–67 after Maccabi sealed the victory with a decisive 27–19 final period. Ariel McDonald of Maccabi earned MVP honors with a standout performance of 21 points and 9 assists in the final, while Nate Huffman contributed 21 points and 9 rebounds for the winners; Dejan Bodiroga led Panathinaikos with 27 points and 8 rebounds. This victory marked Maccabi Tel Aviv's third European club championship, following titles in 1977 and 1981. Post-game celebrations were exuberant, with approximately 8,000 Maccabi fans who had traveled to transforming the arena into a sea of yellow, chanting and cheering as the team lifted the trophy under coach .

Final Four standings

The of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague concluded the season's playoff stage, with the four semifinalists competing in a at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in , , on May 11 and 13, 2001. The participating teams—Maccabi Tel Aviv, Panathinaikos, Efes Pilsen, and —advanced based on their quarterfinal victories, and their final rankings were determined solely by win-loss records from the two games each team played in the event.
RankTeamW–LNotes
12–0Defeated in semifinals and Panathinaikos in final to claim the title.
2Panathinaikos1–1Beat Efes Pilsen in semifinals but lost to in the championship game.
3Efes Pilsen1–1Lost to Panathinaikos in semifinals but defeated in the third-place game.
40–2Eliminated by in semifinals and Efes Pilsen in consolation matchup.
These standings reflected the immediate outcomes of the , where Maccabi Tel Aviv's undefeated run established them as the season's FIBA continental champions, enhancing their legacy as a dominant force in European basketball during the era of league division. In contrast, CSKA Moscow's winless performance marked a rare setback for the club, influencing subsequent roster adjustments and their pursuit of future titles in the unified structure that emerged post-season. The results also highlighted the competitive parity among top European sides amid the FIBA-ULEB split, contributing to the eventual merger of competitions for greater cohesion.

Awards

Season MVP and top statistical leaders

The Season MVP award for the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague was given to Nate Huffman of , recognizing his dominant overall impact as a , including his scoring, rebounding, and defensive contributions that helped lead his team to the . The selection was made by a panel evaluating players' performances across the regular season and playoffs, emphasizing versatility and team success. Top statistical leaders highlighted exceptional individual performances in key categories, based on per-game averages from the regular season and postseason. of Partizan topped scoring with 23.3 points per game, showcasing his sharpshooting and offensive prowess. Roberto Chiacig of Montepaschi Siena led in rebounds at 9.4 per game, dominating the boards with his physical presence under the basket. Raimonds Miglinieks of paced assists with 7.0 per game, orchestrating his team's offense through precise playmaking.
CategoryPlayerTeamAverage
Points per gamePartizan Belgrade23.3
Rebounds per gameRoberto ChiacigMontepaschi Siena9.4
Assists per gameRaimonds Miglinieks7.0

All-Final Four Team selections

The All-Final Four Team of the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague was selected to honor the top performers across the tournament's games, held at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy from May 11–13, 2001. The team comprised five players recognized for their contributions in the semifinals, third-place game, and final, emphasizing impact in scoring, rebounding, defense, and overall play during these decisive matches. Ariel McDonald of was named the MVP alongside his inclusion on the team, highlighting his leadership in guiding Maccabi to the championship. This selection marked the only instance of the All-Final Four Team award under the SuproLeague, as the competition existed solely for the 2000–01 season before the leagues merged into the modern format. The team members were:
PlayerTeamNationalityNotable Final Four Contribution
Ariel McDonald (MVP)Maccabi Tel AvivSlovenia/United StatesOrchestrated Maccabi's offense with key assists and scoring in the semifinal win over and the final against Panathinaikos.
Anthony ParkerMaccabi Tel AvivUnited StatesProvided versatile scoring and perimeter defense, contributing significantly to Maccabi's undefeated run.
Dejan BodirogaPanathinaikos of YugoslaviaDelivered clutch scoring and rebounding for the runners-up, including strong showings in the semifinal loss to Maccabi.
Andrei KirilenkoExcelled in defensive versatility and blocks during CSKA's semifinal matchup, aiding their third-place finish.
Nate HuffmanMaccabi Tel AvivUnited StatesDominated the paint with rebounding and interior scoring, bolstering Maccabi's frontcourt in both the semifinal and final.

Statistics

Individual season leaders

The 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague featured standout individual performances across key statistical categories, with leaders calculated based on averages from players appearing in at least 13 games in the regular season and playoffs to ensure sufficient participation. These metrics highlighted the competition's blend of offensive firepower, rebounding prowess, and playmaking, contributing to the season's competitive intensity. emerged as the dominant scorer, while players like Roberto Chiacig and Raimonds Miglinieks excelled in rebounding and assisting, respectively. Defensive standouts, including in blocks, underscored the league's emphasis on versatile contributors.

Points per game leaders

RankPlayerTeamGPPPG
1Partizan 2023.3
2Charles ThomasPlannja Luleå1322.4
3John BestBayer Leverkusen1722.2
Berić's league-leading 23.3 marked a notable offensive achievement, reflecting his role as Partizan's primary scoring threat and establishing a high bar for future SuproLeague seasons.

Rebounds per game leaders

RankPlayerTeamGPRPG
1Roberto Chiacig189.4
2229.2
3Nate Huffman249.0
Chiacig's 9.4 rebounds per game led the league, providing with crucial second-chance opportunities and interior presence.

Assists per game leaders

RankPlayerTeamGPAPG
1Raimonds MiglinieksŚląsk Wrocław207.0
2Laurent SciarraASVEL166.1
3Chuck EvansBayer Leverkusen185.3
Miglinieks topped the assists category with 7.0 per game, orchestrating Wrocław's offense effectively and demonstrating elite vision in a guard-heavy league.

Blocks and steals leaders

Andrei Kirilenko of CSKA Moscow led in blocks with 2.1 per game over 22 appearances, showcasing his defensive versatility and rim protection that helped CSKA reach the Final Four. Ralph Biggs of Telindus Oostende paced the league in steals at 2.1 per game across 20 games, using his quick hands to disrupt opponents and fuel fast breaks.

Efficiency leaders

Kirilenko also stood out in overall efficiency with a 21.6 performance index rating (PIR) average, reflecting his balanced contributions in scoring (13.9 PPG), rebounding, and defense— a rare all-around impact in the SuproLeague's inaugural season. No other verified efficiency leaders exceeded this mark among qualifiers, emphasizing Kirilenko's foundational role in modern EuroLeague defensive archetypes. These leaders not only drove their teams' successes but also set benchmarks for the competition, with Berić's scoring and Kirilenko's defensive stats remaining influential in subsequent .

Team season statistics

The 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague regular season consisted of two groups of 10 teams each, with each playing 18 games to determine advancement to the . Win percentages ranged from a high of 83.3% for the top-performing to as low as 11.1% for the bottom teams, highlighting significant disparities in performance. Point differentials served as a key efficiency metric, with leading teams demonstrating strong offensive and defensive balances. Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv dominated Group B, finishing with a 15–3 record (83.3% win percentage) and a +15.2 point differential per game, underscoring their status as the season's most efficient squad en route to the . Their offensive output averaged 89.8 , the highest in , while their defense limited opponents to 74.6 . In contrast, Panathinaikos led Group A with a 13–5 record (72.2% win percentage) and a +6.3 point differential, averaging 82.1 points scored and 75.8 allowed. CSKA , finishing second in Group A at 12–6 (66.7% win percentage), averaged 79.4 points scored; full opponent points allowed data unavailable, but differential indicates +2.1. Lower-ranked teams struggled with poorer efficiency, as evidenced by negative point differentials and lower win rates. For example, and ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne both ended Group A at 9–9 (50% win percentage), with ALBA averaging 79.9 points scored and 78.2 allowed (+1.7 differential), and ASVEL at 78.5 scored and 77.8 allowed (+0.7 differential). Krka Telekom finished 7–11 (38.9% win percentage) with 77.8 points scored and 82.6 allowed (–4.8 differential). recorded 6–12 (33.3% win percentage), averaging a high 86.6 points scored but allowing 90.2 (–3.6 differential), indicating defensive vulnerabilities. The lowest performers included Plannja Basket Lulea at 2–16 (11.1% win percentage) in Group A, with 77.4 points scored and 90.9 allowed (–13.5 differential).
TeamGroupW-LWin %PPGOPPGPoint Diff/Game
B15-383.3%89.874.6+15.2
A13-572.2%82.175.8+6.3
B13-572.2%82.177.0+5.1
A12-666.7%79.4N/A+2.1
Partizan ICN BeogradB11-761.1%82.984.3–1.4
Plannja Basket LuleaA2-1611.1%77.490.9–13.5
Data covers regular season only, as playoff games represented a smaller sample (top 8 teams advanced). Detailed team rebounds and assists per game were not comprehensively tracked in available records, though individual player contributions in these categories influenced overall team efficiency.

Points

The highest individual scoring performance in a single game during the 2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague was 38 points, achieved by of Partizan against Telindus Oostende in a regular season game on December 7, 2000. , the season's leading scorer with 23.3 points per game, also recorded multiple other high-scoring outings, including 36 points twice in regular season matchups.

Rebounds

Roberto Chiacig of set the single-game rebounding high with 17 total rebounds in a regular season game on March 8, 2001. As the league's top rebounder for the season at 9.4 per game, Chiacig also notched 16 rebounds against in another regular season contest on January 17, 2001.

Assists

The maximum assists in a game was 15, recorded by Raimonds Miglinieks of during a qualification round matchup on November 15, 2000. Miglinieks, who led the SuproLeague in assists with a 7.0 average, also distributed 11 assists in a playoff game on March 14, 2001.

Blocks

Andrey Kirilenko of registered the highest blocks total with 6 in a regular season game against on December 13, 2000. Kirilenko, the season's blocks leader, also blocked 5 shots in a quarterfinal playoff game against ASVEL on April 17, 2001.

Legacy

Recognition of two continental champions

The 2000–01 season represented a pivotal moment in European club basketball, as the schism between and resulted in two parallel top-tier competitions, each crowning its own continental champion. The FIBA SuproLeague, organized as the official successor to the longstanding European Champions Cup, was won by , who secured the title by defeating Panathinaikos 81–67 in the final game of the tournament held at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy on May 13, 2001. This victory marked Maccabi's third European club title overall and was celebrated as the pinnacle achievement in FIBA's version of elite continental play. In parallel, the ULEB , launched as a club-led initiative independent of oversight, was claimed by Kinder Bologna (), who overcame TAU Cerámica in a best-of-five finals series with a 3–2 series win, culminating in an 82–74 victory in Game 5 on May 10, 2001, in Bologna. This triumph, highlighted by standout performances from players like , positioned Kinder Bologna as the inaugural champion of the restructured ULEB competition, which emphasized a playoff format and broader club involvement. The existence of dual champions underscored the deep rift between FIBA, which viewed the SuproLeague as the sole legitimate continental tournament backed by national federations, and , which promoted the as the future of professional club supported by leading teams. FIBA initially refused to sanction the ULEB event, labeling it a breakaway league and threatening penalties for participants, yet both titles were awarded and honored within their governing structures, leading to widespread acknowledgment of two concurrent European champions for the season. This unprecedented outcome sparked significant controversy, with debates in media and basketball circles questioning the prestige and legitimacy of each crown. Coverage often reflected national biases, as clubs from certain countries prioritized one league over the other, amplifying the perception of fragmentation in the sport. Despite the discord, both and are retrospectively recognized in official records as the continental champions of their respective competitions, symbolizing the divided state of European basketball at the turn of the millennium.

Impact on EuroLeague formation

Following the conclusion of the 2000–01 season, negotiations between and intensified in early 2001 to address the challenges posed by the parallel competitions. The split had divided Europe's elite clubs, with the FIBA SuproLeague featuring strong teams like Panathinaikos, , and , while the included powerhouses such as Olympiacos and Kinder Bologna. This division resulted in two separate champions— from the SuproLeague and Kinder Bologna from the —diluting the prestige of the continental title and creating unsustainable fragmentation in the sport. The SuproLeague's successful operation, however, demonstrated the viability of a high-level professional club competition outside 's traditional structure, pressuring both organizations to seek unification. These talks culminated in a formal agreement signed on April 4, 2001, marking the merger of the two leagues for the 2001–02 season. Under the terms, a new was established under joint FIBA-ULEB control, with ULEB taking primary responsibility for organization and commercial aspects, while FIBA retained oversight of international calendars and national team obligations. The unified competition absorbed the top teams from both prior leagues, expanding to 32 participants (including 29 pre-qualified clubs and three via a qualifying ) to ensure broad representation and economic equity among clubs. This resolution ended the year-long schism, restoring a single premier European club championship and preventing further erosion of the sport's global appeal. The merger laid the foundation for the modern EuroLeague's structure, which has since evolved into a stable, commercially driven league with a focus on top-tier talent and fan engagement. By prioritizing a unified format over rival formats, the 2001 agreement enhanced the competition's long-term sustainability, influencing subsequent expansions and governance models that prioritize club participation and revenue sharing. This pivotal reconciliation not only resolved immediate tensions but also set precedents for collaborative management in European basketball.

References

  1. https://www.sportcal.com/pressreleases/fiba-and-isl-launch-new-european-basketball-suproleague/
  2. https://www.eurobasket.com/FIBA-Suproleague/basketball_2000-2001.aspx
  3. http://www.todor66.com/basketball/Eurocups/Men_SuproLeague_2000-2001.html
  4. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/ataman-ergin/
  5. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/gamenotes-round9-csk-tel/
  6. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2223-rs5-notes-tel-pan/
  7. https://basketfinals.com/suproleague-euroleague-final-2001-maccabi-and-virtus-bologna-champions-in-the-year-of-redemption/
  8. https://www.worldofbasketball.org/euroleague-basketball.htm
  9. https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/uleb-hits-back-in-fiba-row/
  10. https://csri.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/NC0922207ENN.en-1.pdf
  11. https://fansided.com/posts/is-euroleague-a-part-of-fiba-a-brief-history-01ha0n7qv3ce
  12. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/975049.stm
  13. https://about.fiba.basketball/en/our-sport/official-basketball-rules
  14. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/112-fiba-mens-european-club-competitions-tier-1/2177
  15. https://www.infoplease.com/sports/2000-2001-season/2001-fiba-suproleague-championships
  16. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/112-fiba-mens-european-club-competitions-tier-1/2177/games/3313-PARTI-ORTH
  17. https://www.infoplease.com/sports/2001-fiba-suproleague-championships/round-16
  18. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2000/06/12/International/Clubs-Break-Away-From-FIBA-League/
  19. https://basketball.eurobasket.com/team/Mens-Sana-Siena/298/History
  20. https://basketball.eurobasket.com/team/WKS_Slask_Wroclaw/57?Page=5
  21. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/112-fiba-mens-european-club-competitions-tier-1/2177/games
  22. https://basketball.fandom.com/wiki/2000%E2%80%9301_FIBA_SuproLeague
  23. https://english.sta.si/553475/suproleague-panathinaikos-krka-telekom-82-65-25-12-45-27-60-45
  24. https://www.britball.com/2001/suproleague01.htm
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d5p0q6jjEs
  26. http://www.arhiva.serbia.gov.rs/news/2001-05/12/23447.html
  27. https://cskabasket.ru/en/game/2627/
  28. http://www.arhiva.serbia.gov.rs/news/2001-05/14/23461.html
  29. https://www.eurobasket.com/FIBA-Suproleague/basketball.aspx
  30. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/880817/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-euroleague-final/6/
  31. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nate-huffman/profile/aov/
  32. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/112-fiba-mens-european-club-competitions-tier-1/2177/players/121468-miroslav-beric
  33. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/112459-roberto-chiacig
  34. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/112-fiba-mens-european-club-competitions-tier-1/2177/stats
  35. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/104677-raimonds-miglinieks
  36. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/123850-andrey-kirilenko
  37. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/112-fiba-mens-european-club-competitions-tier-1/2177/players/112459-roberto-chiacig
  38. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/112-fiba-mens-european-club-competitions-tier-1/2177/players/104677-raimonds-miglinieks
  39. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/112-fiba-mens-european-club-competitions-tier-1/2177/players/123850-andrey-kirilenko
  40. https://cskabasket.ru/en/game/2608/
  41. https://cskabasket.ru/en/game/2624/
  42. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/high-flying-virtus-bologna-takes-on-maccabi-tel-aviv-bc/
  43. https://www.eurobasket.com/ULEB-Euroleague/basketball_2000-2001.aspx
  44. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/final-four-history-every-champion-all-champions/
  45. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2002/07/22/International/Europes-Basketball-Bodies-Banging-Again/
  46. https://www.sportcal.com/pressreleases/uleb-rejects-call-for-renegotiation-of-basketball-merger/
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