Basket Torino
Italian basketball club founded in 2019 as successor to Auxilium Torino.
Basket Torino, which competes as Reale Mutua Torino for sponsorship reasons, is a basketball club from Turin, Italy. Founded in 2019, it replaced Auxilium Torino and began play in the 2019–20 Serie A2 Basket, the country’s second division.
The club was created after Auxilium Torino dissolved in June 2019 due to bankruptcy and relegation from the top-tier Lega Basket Serie A. Stefano Sardara relocated his team, Dinamo Academy Cagliari, from Cagliari to Turin, establishing Reale Mutua Basket Torino. Sardara held a 75% majority stake, with the remaining 25% owned by the Una Mole di Basket organization. Demis Cavina was named head coach on 21 June 2019, and the team’s logo, featuring a Turin bull, was unveiled on 5 July 2019.
In its debut season, Torino finished first in the West Division with an 18–8 record before the campaign was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, a group of Turkish investors led by businessman Murat Didin took over ownership.
The 2020–21 season saw the team compete in the A2’s Green Division, again without fans because of the pandemic. Torino ended the regular season with a 19–5 record, securing first place. In the subsequent “fase ad orologio,” they placed second with a 6–4 record, earning home-court advantage for the Silver Tournament playoffs. They swept Mantova 3–0 in the quarterfinals and Verona 3–0 in the semifinals, but lost the finals 1–3 to Tortona, who earned promotion to Serie A.
In July 2021, ownership shifted from Sardara and the Turkish investors to David Avino, who became club president. During the 2021–22 season, Torino again played in the Green Division, finishing the regular season with a 16–14 record in sixth place. In the “fase ad orologio,” they topped the “girone blu” with a 1–3 record, entering the Silver Tournament playoffs, where they lost 1–3 to Ravenna in the quarterfinals.
The 2022–23 season began with a three-point penalty, but Torino still ended the regular season with a 16–8 record, placing fourth in the Green Division. In the “fase ad orologio,” they led the “girone blu” with an 8–2 record, qualifying for the Silver Tournament. They defeated Urania Milano 3–1 in the quarterfinals and Treviglio 3–1 in the semifinals, but lost the finals 1–3 to Pistoia Basket, who advanced to Serie A.
For sponsorship reasons, the team has been known as Reale Mutua Torino since its founding.
- founded
- 2019
- location
- Turin, Italy
- league
- Serie A2 Basket
- sponsorship name
- Reale Mutua Torino
- majority owner (2019)
- Stefano Sardara (75%)
- head coach (2019)
- Demis Cavina
Lore & Background
Basket Torino was founded in June 2019 after Auxilium Torino was dissolved due to bankruptcy and relegation from the Lega Basket Serie A. Stefano Sardara moved his club Dinamo Academy Cagliari from Cagliari to Turin, establishing the new team. The club debuted in the 2019–20 Serie A2 season, finishing first in the West Division with an 18–8 record before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, a group of Turkish investors led by businessman Murat Didin became owners.
In the 2020–21 season, the team competed in the Green Division, finishing the regular season with a 19–5 record and first place. They reached the Silver Tournament finals but lost 1–3 to Tortona, which earned promotion to LBA Serie A. In July 2021, ownership transferred to David Avino, who became president. The 2021–22 season saw a
Reader's Guide
Basket Torino represents a continuation of professional basketball in Turin after the collapse of Auxilium Torino. The club's rapid formation and competitive performance in Serie A2 highlight the resilience of basketball in the city. Despite not yet achieving promotion to the top-tier LBA, the team has consistently reached the playoffs, including two Silver Tournament finals appearances. The club's ownership changes—from Stefano Sardara to Ergin Ataman's Turkish investors, then to David Avino—reflect the financial and organizational challenges common in Italian basketball. The team's identity is tied to the Turin bull logo introduced in 2019. Its significance lies in maintaining a professional basketball presence in Turin and providing a platform for local and regional competition.
Did You Know?
- Basket Torino was founded in 2019 after Auxilium Torino was declared bankrupt.
- The club debuted in the 2019–20 Serie A2 season and finished first in the West Division with an 18–8 record.
- In July 2020, a group of Turkish investors led by coach Ergin Ataman became owners.
- The team's logo, featuring a Turin bull, was presented on 5 July 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Basket Torino?
Basket Torino is a professional basketball club based in Turin, Italy, established in 2019 to carry on the city's basketball tradition after the previous franchise, Auxilium Torino, collapsed. The team competes under the sponsorship name Reale Mutua Torino.
What league does Basket Torino play in?
The club debuted in Serie A2 Basket, Italy's second-tier professional basketball competition, beginning with the 2019–20 season as its first campaign in organized basketball.
How did Basket Torino come into existence?
After Auxilium Torino went bankrupt and was dropped from the top division in June 2019, owner Stefano Sardara relocated his Dinamo Academy Cagliari roster to Turin and rebranded the operation as the city's new basketball franchise.
Who owns Basket Torino?
Stefano Sardara holds a 75% majority stake in the club, while the remaining 25% is held by the Una Mole di Basket organization.
Who was Basket Torino's head coach at launch?
Demis Cavina served as the head coach for the 2019–20 season, guiding the squad through its inaugural year in Serie A2.
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