Pallacanestro Reggiana
Italian basketball club founded 1974, won EuroChallenge in 2014.
Pallacanestro Reggiana, commonly called Reggiana or Reggio Emilia, and known for sponsorship as Unahotels Reggio Emilia, is an Italian professional basketball club from Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna. It competes in the LBA.
The club was founded on 3 September 1974 by eight friends aiming to unite the local basketball community. Starting in the regional Promozione league, they wore white and blue jerseys sponsored by Magazzini Jolly and won promotion to Serie D. After a couple of seasons, they moved up to Serie C. Before the 1977–78 season, the club merged with Cestistica Tricolore, came under the ownership of Cantine Riunite, changed its colours to white and red, and earned promotion to the third-division Serie B with a young local team led by Gianni Codeluppi. That summer, they also merged with Pallacanestro Correggio, bringing in future standout Orazio Rustichelli. The team finished last in its first Serie B season but avoided relegation due to an off-court reprieve. Over the next few years, they stabilized in Serie B, debuting promising youngster Piero Montecchi.
In the 1981–82 season, players like Rustichelli (now captain), Montecchi, Fuss, and Zonta led the club to promotion to the second-division Serie A2 by winning a playoff in Udine against Necchi Pavia. Thousands of young fans stormed the court to celebrate. President Enrico Prandi kept coach Gianni Zappi and brought in Americans Roosevelt Bouie and Rudy Hackett, father of future Italian national Daniel Hackett. Under new coach Gianfranco Lombardi, and with players like Pino Brumatti, the team reached Serie A. They stayed three seasons, making the title playoffs in 1985–86 but were relegated the next year, with Montecchi leaving for Olimpia Milano. Coach Piero Pasini ensured a one-year return, and the team remained in Serie A, seeing the arrival of club great Joe Bryant, whose young son Kobe played with the youth side.
In 1990, the holding company was bought by Coopsette, with Sidis as sponsor. The ambitious club reached the Italian Cup Final Four but struggled in the league and was relegated. Before the 1992–93 season, legend Mike Mitchell arrived and helped the club return to the top division. Two seasons later, they were back in the second division, focusing on academy products like Alessandro Davoli and Gianluca Basile. Returning to Serie A in 1997, they rehired Lombardi as coach, with young
- founded
- 3 September 1974
- location
- Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
- current_league
- LBA
- known_for
- First international title (EuroChallenge) in 2014
- sponsorship_name
- Unahotels Reggio Emilia
Lore & Background
Pallacanestro Reggiana was founded on 3 September 1974 by eight friends who wanted to unite the basketball community of Reggio Emilia. They started in the regional Promozione, earning promotions through Serie D and Serie C, and after a merger with Cestistica Tricolore in 1977–78, they changed colours to white and red and reached Serie B. The club later amalgamated Pallacanestro Correggio, bringing in future great Orazio Rustichelli. After establishing itself in Serie B, the team reached the professional ranks in 1981–82 with a promotion play-off win over Necchi Pavia, entering Serie A2.
Reader's Guide
Pallacanestro Reggiana's significance lies in its steady rise from a local club founded by friends to a consistent presence in Italian top-flight basketball and a European trophy winner. The club's history includes multiple promotions and relegations, reflecting the competitive nature of Italian basketball. Its 2014 EuroChallenge victory, led by Final Four MVP Andrea Cinciarini, marked the first international title for the club and a high point in its history. The team also reached the Italian Cup final in 2005–06 and the Serie A finals in 2015–16, showcasing its ability to compete at the highest levels. The club's development of players like Gianluca Basile and its role in the career of Joe Bryant (father of Kobe Bryant) add to its legacy.
Did You Know?
- Pallacanestro Reggiana was founded on 3 September 1974 by eight friends.
- The club won its first international title, the EuroChallenge, on 27 April 2014.
- Joe Bryant played for Reggio Emilia, and his son Kobe Bryant played with the youth side.
- The team reached the Italian Cup final in 2005–06, losing 74–64 to Benetton Treviso.
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