Almere Sailors

Almere Sailors is a Dutch basketball club based in Almere. Established in 2020, the team plays in the Dutch Basketball League (DBL), the highest level of basketball in the Netherlands. Home games are played in the Topsportcentrum Almere, which has a capacity of 3,000 people.

Almere Sailors
LeaguesDutch Basketball League
FoundedJuly 2020 (2020-07)
HistoryAlmere Sailors
2020–present
ArenaTopsportcentrum Almere
Capacity3,000
LocationAlmere, Netherlands
PresidentRinus Balvert
Head coachEric Kropf
Websitealmeresailors.nl

History
The Topsportcentrum, home arena of the Sailors

In July 2020, the Almere Pioneers announced their plans to enter the Dutch Basketball League (DBL). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, entry requirements for the league were eased.[1] Since its disappearance in the 2006–07 season, Almere had not played at the highest level. To separate its activities from the amateur club Pioneers, a new organisation was established. On 3 August, the name Almere Sailors was announced for the professional team.[2] The name was chosen as the city of Almere was created after reclaiming land from the sea.

On 13 August, the Sailors announced Eric Kropf as their first head coach.[3] On 27 August, the DBL announced the Sailors obtained a license for the 2020–21 season.[4] On 16 September, the Sailors signed their first player in Papito Hersisia.[5] The Sailors played their first ever DBL game on 3 October, losing 124–64 to power house Donar.[6] The season was suspended and later resumed behind closed doors because of the ongoing pandemic. On 21 January 2021, the Sailors won their first ever DBL game against Apollo Amsterdam, 74–64 after overtime.[7]

Players

Current roster
Almere Sailors roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.Age
PG 4 van de Weijenber, Brian 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 24 – (1996-12-24)24 December 1996
G 5 Veltman, Dolf 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) 20 – (2000-12-12)12 December 2000
SG 6 Lombardi, Dante 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 24 – (1996-02-27)27 February 1996
SG 7 Richmond, Edwin 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) 24 – (1996-08-19)19 August 1996
G 8 Osepa, Mike (C) 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 29 – (1991-03-07)7 March 1991
F 9 Kayhan, Job 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) 20 – (2000-12-23)23 December 2000
F 12 Knepa, Marnexson 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 24 – (1996-03-19)19 March 1996
C 13 Hersisia, Papito 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) 30 – (1990-10-12)12 October 1990
F 14 Olijfveld, Livadjo 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) 20 – (2000-02-28)28 February 2000
G 16 Sage, Esebio 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) 24 – (1996-06-13)13 June 1996
F 18 Pot, Ruben 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) 19 – (2001-09-06)6 September 2001
C – Joyce, Eamonn 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
Head coach
  • Eric Kropf
Assistant coach(es)
  • Timothy Donk
  • Gregory Tjin-A-Koeng
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured
Updated: 11 December 2020

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Season by season
Season Tier League Regular season Playoffs NBB Cup Head coach
Finish Played Wins Losses Win%
Almere Sailors
2020–21 1 DBL Eric Kropf

Sponsorship
Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Ref.
2020– Erreà Flevo Makelaars

Head coaches
Name Nationality Tenure
Eric Kropf Netherlands13 August 2020 – present

References
  1. "Almere Pioneers maakt kans op profbasketbal". Omroepflevoland.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  2. "Profbasketbalclub gaat Almere Sailors heten". Almeredezeweek.nl. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  3. "Eric Kropf hoofdcoach Almere Sailors". Omroepflevoland.nl (in Dutch). 13 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  4. "The Hague Royals en Almere Sailors gaan de DBL in" (in Dutch). Dutch Basketball League. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  5. "Almere Sailors verwelkomt Papito Hersisia" (in Dutch). Dutchbasketballleague.nl. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  6. "Almere Sailors dient bij debuut in eredivisie als kanonnenvoer voor basketballers Donar". Dagblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 3 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  7. "Eerste winst voor Sailors in de Dutch Basketball League". Omroep Flevoland (in Dutch). 21 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
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