Helsinki Seagulls

Last updated
Helsinki Seagulls
Helsinki Seagulls.svg
NicknameGulls
Leagues Korisliiga
Founded2013;11 years ago (2013)
HistoryHelsinki Seagulls
(2013–present)
Arena Töölö Sports Hall
Capacity1,600
Location Helsinki, Finland
Team colorsNavy, Gold, Black
   
Head coach Vesa Vertio
Team captain René Rougeau
OwnershipJanne Kulvik
Sinikka Kulvik
Sami Hedberg
Website www.helsinkiseagulls.com

Helsinki Seagulls is a professional basketball team, based in Helsinki, Finland. The club plays in the Korisliiga, the highest tier of basketball in Finland.

Contents

The Seagulls were founded in 2013 and made its debut in the Korisliiga in 2014, after promoting in its first season. The team has won the Finnish Cup three times. Seagulls won their first and only Korisliiga championship to date during the 2022–23 season.

History

The team was established in 2013 and it acquired its place on the second level of Finnish basketball in Division I A after the dissolution of the Torpan Pojat men's team. The license of Torpan Pojat was then transferred to the Gulls, along with the remaining players. [1] [2]

The Seagulls opened their 2013–2014 season in the Division I A with winning 10 matches in a row. The team won a total of 25 of their 28 regular season games placing first in their division with Josh Gonner leading their offense with an impressive 20.5 points per game. Seagulls earned the promotion to Korisliiga after dismissing first Tampereen Pyrintö II and then BC Nokia in the division playoffs. [3]

The first ever team picture of Helsinki Seagulls in September 2013. Seagulls 2013-9.jpg
The first ever team picture of Helsinki Seagulls in September 2013.

Seagulls started the 2022–23 season with the strongest team to date, with Americans Rene Rougeau and Jeffrey Carroll Jr. adding to an already strong team. Seagulls finished the 2022–23 regular season with a record of 25–7, and in second place behind Kauhajoki. After dominant quarter and semifinal performances against BC Nokia and Kataja Basket respectively, they advanced to the final against the defending champions Kauhajoki Karhubasket, where the Seagulls claimed their first title; defeating Karhubasket 4–2.

Honours

Korisliiga

Finnish Cup

Season by season

SeasonTierLeaguePos. Finnish Cup
2013–142First Division A1st
2014–15 1 Korisliiga 8th
2015–16 14th
2016–17 13rd
2017–18 13rd
2018–19 17th
2019–20 12nd
2020–21 13rd
2021–22 13rd

Arena

The Toolo Sports Hall Toolon Kisahalli.jpg
The Töölö Sports Hall

The Seagulls play their home games in the Töölö Sports Hall.

Players

Current roster

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

Helsinki Seagulls roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.Wt.Age
F 0 Flag of Finland.svg Mennander, Henri 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in)20 – (2003-10-07)7 October 2003
C 1 Flag of the United States.svg Ohams, Chuba 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)26 – (1997-12-22)22 December 1997
SG 2 Flag of the United States.svg Grant, Mar'Qualen 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)25 – (1999-03-10)10 March 1999
F 3 Flag of Finland.svg Pihlajamäki, Tomas 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)24 – (2000-01-26)26 January 2000
PF 4 Flag of the United States.svg Rougeau, Rene 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)38 – (1986-03-25)25 March 1986
F 5 Flag of Finland.svg Leskinen, Elias 1.99 m (6 ft 6 in)22 – (2002-01-01)1 January 2002
G 6 Flag of the United States.svg Gilbert, Alterique 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)26 – (1997-10-06)6 October 1997
F 8 Flag of Finland.svg Heinonen, Timo 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)42 – (1981-11-26)26 November 1981
F 10 Flag of Finland.svg Laakso, Sakari 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)26 – (1997-04-30)30 April 1997
F 11 Flag of Finland.svg Härsilä, Tuukka 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)20 – (2004-02-21)21 February 2004
PG 13 Flag of Finland.svg Nikkarinen, Lassi 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)27 – (1997-03-11)11 March 1997
F 14 Flag of Finland.svg Järvi, Okko 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)28 – (1996-01-12)12 January 1996
SF 15 Flag of the United States.svg Coleman, Shavon 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)31 – (1992-10-07)7 October 1992
G 25 Flag of Finland.svg Hervola, Lenni 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)21 – (2003-02-01)1 February 2003
F 47 Flag of Finland.svg Waxlax, Ricky 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)25 – (1999-02-12)12 February 1999
Head coach
  • Flag of Finland.svg Vesa Vertio
Assistant coach(es)
  • Flag of Finland.svg Kimmo Kujansivu
  • Flag of Finland.svg Timo Saukkola
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
Updated: February 6, 2024

Depth chart

Pos.Starting 5Bench 1Bench 2
C Chuba Ohams Timo Heinonen
PF Rene Rougeau Sakari Laakso Henri Mennander
SF Shavon Coleman Ricky Waxlax Elias Leskinen
SG Okko Järvi Alterique Gilbert Tuukka Härsilä
PG Lassi Nikkarinen Tomas Pihlajamäki Lenni Hervola

colours: Finnish players; foreign players

Notable players

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

Criteria

To appear in this section a player must have either:

  • Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club
  • Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time
  • Played at least one official NBA match at any time.

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References

  1. ↑ "ToPo jäi ilman liigalisenssiä" Iltasanomat, Retrieved 2014-9-24 (in Finnish)
  2. ↑ "Nostaako tämä seura Helsingin takaisin Korisliigaan?" Iltasanomat, Retrieved 2014-9-24 (in Finnish)
  3. ↑ "Seagulls otti ratkaisevan voiton Nokialla - helsinkiläiset palaavat Korisliigaan" YLE, Retrieved 2014-9-24 (in Finnish)
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