KB Trepça

Early years and successes in Yugoslavia (1940–1992)

The origins of Trepça can be traced back to the 1940s when basketball started gaining popularity in Mitrovica. However, it wasn't until 1947 that the club was officially established.^[1] Initially, KB Trepça competed in local leagues and tournaments, gradually developing its reputation as a competitive team.

In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Trepça experienced its golden era. The club achieved numerous successes. Trepça won several regional titles and made their debut in the First B Federal Basketball League, the country's second-tier basketball competition, in the 1980s.^[2][3] The team consistently performed well and became known for its strong roster of talented players like Ferit Zekolli, Blerim Vuniqi, Vesko Pajović, Naim Hajrizi, Nusret Qubreli or George Dikeoulakos, and skilled coaching staff. In 1982–83, Trepça reached the eightfinals of the Yugoslav Basketball Cup but lost against Borac Čačak 85–91. In 1988–1989, Trepça once again reached the eightfinals but lost against Red Star Belgrade.^[4]

Following the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s and the subsequent conflicts in the Balkans, Kosovo went through a turbulent period. KB Trepça, like many other institutions in the region, faced significant challenges and disruptions. The club's activities were severely impacted, and it took several years for basketball to regain stability in Kosovo.

Establishment of the Kosovo Basketball Federation (1992–1999)

With the establishment of the Kosovo Basketball Federation in 1992, KB Trepça started competing in the Kosovo Basketball Superleague. KB Trepça won their first league title in the 1992/1993 season against KB Peja.^[5] The following year, Trepça reached the final once again but lost against Peja.

Years of dominance (1999–2002)

Trepça won the Kosovo Basketball Superleague in 2000 and 2001.^[6] Furthermore, Trepça won the Kosovo Cup in 1999. The coach was Ahmet Behrami and notable players during this period were Ilir Selmani, Naim Hajrizi, Brahim Veseli, Artan Mehmeti, Eroll Pepiqi, Besim Braha, Fikret Hanxhiq, Edmond Raqa and many others.^[7] In the 2002 season Trepça lost the final against KB Prishtina.

New successes and rivalries (2002–2012)

Trepça continued to be one of the dominant forces in Kosovan basketball by always reaching the play-offs and by winning the Kosovo Cup in 2004 with notable players like Igor Miličić, Haashim Simmons, Ylber Jusufi, Besim Braha, Fikret Hanxhiq, Ilir Selmani, Naim Haxha, Brahim Veseli etc. Trepça lost the finals in 2007 and 2010 against KB Prishtina. The 2010–11 season was a special season for Trepça where they played two local derbies against KB Mitrovica and KB Bambi who both were from Mitrovica.^[8] The following season Trepça won the Superleague 3–2 against Prishtina in the finals. In addition to that Trepça won the Kosovo Cup the same year. The roster was made by players like Jaleel Nelson, Drilon Hajrizi, Gazmend Asllani, Besnik Azemi, Fikret Hanxhiq, Arian Tahiri, Valdrin Haxhiu, Imer Tahiri, Emir Zimic and Luard Halili.^[9] Drilon Hajrizi became the MVP of 2011–12 Superleague season.^[10] During this period and especially after the 2012 finals the rivalry with Prishtina intensified.

Trepça's debut in a European competition and struggle for the play-offs in the Superleague (2012–2019)

From 2012 to 2019 Trepça constantly placed 4th or 5th fighting for the play-offs in the Superleague. In 2014, 2016 and 2017 they reached the semi-finals but did not manage to go further. In 2016, Trepça made their debut in the Balkan International Basketball League where they won against Karpoš Sokoli, Feni Industries and Sutjeska.^[11] Nevertheless, they finished 5th not making into the play-offs.

Downfall and revival (2019–2023)

In the 2019-20 Superleague season Trepça almost relegated after finishing 7th for the first time in their history.^[12] Trepça won against AS Prishtina in the play-out. The following season Trepça once again placed 7th. This time they faced Istogu in the play-out winning 193–155 in aggregate.^[13] Notable players were Drilon Hajrizi, Burim Zekiqi, Dino Butorac, Valdrin Haxhiu and Stavros Toutziarakis. Trepça started a reorganization in 2021 by signing several players like Andrew Gordon, Samir Zekiqi and Amin Hot. The new coach was Lumbomir Minchev.^[14] Trepça won the Kosovo Cup in 2022 after one decade by beating KB Bashkimi 76–62 in the final.^[15] On 3 March 2022 they signed former NBA-player Rodney Purvis who later became a key player. Trepça reached the final in the 2021-22 Superleague season but failed to win against Ylli.

In 2022–23, Trepça had a turbulent season and finished only fourth in the regular season, but managed to win the Kosovo Cup once again and secured another runners-up in the Superleague.

(2023–present)

In 2023, Adis Bećiragić was appointed head coach of Trepça, marking a turning point in the club's modern history. Under his leadership, Trepça qualified for the FIBA Europe Cup regular season for the first time, representing a significant milestone for the club. In the group stage, Trepça competed against ZZ Leiden and BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque, but did not advance further.

The team's resurgence followed a remarkable transformation: Trepça had narrowly survived relegation for the first time in its history during the 2020–21 season, through the play-out rounds. Since then, the club reached four consecutive Kosovo Superleague finals, won back-to-back league championships (2023–24 and 2024–25), and secured all major domestic trophies. Players like Kevin Bracy-Davis, Drilon Hajrizi, Jordy Tshimanga etc. and especially Darnell Edge, the M.V.P. of 2024 Liga Unike and 2024 Kosovo Superleague, contributed to this huge success.

During this period, Trepça won four consecutive Kosovo Cup titles, including the 2025 edition, and captured the Kosovo Supercup in 2023 and 2024, marking two consecutive wins. The club also claimed the Liga Unike title for the first time in 2023–24, completing an unprecedented clean sweep of domestic and regional competitions.

Trepça has now competed for three seasons straight in European Competitions like FIBA Champions League and FIBA Europe Cup. Trepça became the first team from Kosovo to progress past a qualifying stage in the FIBA Champions League, defeating the Cypriot club Keravnos 82–79 in the 2024–25 season. This year marked the club's third consecutive season in European competitions.

Sigal Prishtina

One of the most notable rivalries for Trepça is with Sigal Prishtina, another basketball club from Kosovo. Matches between Trepça and Sigal Prishtina often generate a lot of excitement and anticipation among fans. These two teams have a long-standing rivalry, and their matches are highly competitive and intense. The rivalry was the reason for several incidents between Trepça's supporters' group Torcida 1984 and Prishtina's supporters' group Plisat including violence and hooliganism.^[17][18]

KB Peja

Another significant rivalry for Trepça is with KB Peja, another prominent basketball club from Kosovo. Matches between Trepça and Peja have historically been fierce and have attracted a lot of attention from fans. Both teams have had successful seasons and have often been in direct competition for titles and championships.

Current roster

More information Players, Coaches ...

KB Trepça roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age SG 0 Gashi, Anes (C) 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 80 kg (176 lb) 21 – (2004-09-12)12 September 2004 G 5 Henry, Sek 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 90 kg (198 lb) 36 – (1989-12-24)24 December 1989 SG 3 Payne, JaCori 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) 75 kg (165 lb) 29 – (1996-06-15)15 June 1996 C 1 Haliti, Venis 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 80 kg (176 lb) 17 – (2008-07-15)15 July 2008 SG 7 Tuna, Batin 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 90 kg (198 lb) 23 – (2003-01-04)4 January 2003 G/F 8 Zekiqi, Burim 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 78 kg (172 lb) 28 – (1997-04-17)17 April 1997 G/F 11 Tmušić, Mikaile 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 90 kg (198 lb) 33 – (1993-01-06)6 January 1993 SG 41 Hasbrouck, Kenny 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 88 kg (194 lb) 39 – (1986-12-24)24 December 1986 G/F 12 Hajrizi, Drilon 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 108 kg (238 lb) 35 – (1991-01-17)17 January 1991 C 21 Jones, Shawn 2.07 m (6 ft 9 in) 111 kg (245 lb) 33 – (1992-03-25)25 March 1992 PF 23 Amzil, Mustapha 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 96 kg (212 lb) 24 – (2001-09-12)12 September 2001 C 35 Kapiti, Dardan 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 25 – (2000-03-22)22 March 2000	Head coach Adis Bećiragić Assistant coach(es) Petrit Zeqiri Brahim Veseli Diamant Çaushi Legend (C) Team captain Injured Roster Updated: 13 August 2025

Close

Depth chart

Domestic

Kosovo Superleague

• Winners (6): 1992–93, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2011–12, 2023–24, 2024–25
• Runners-up (6): 1993–94, 2001–02, 2006–07, 2009–10, 2021–22, 2022–23

Kosovo Cup

• Winners (9): 1993, 2000, 2004, 2012, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
• Runners-up (2): 2005, 2010

Kosovo Supercup

• Winners (3): 2002, 2023, 2024
• Runners-up (2): 2021, 2022

Regional

Liga Unike

• Winners (1): 2023–24

Liga Unike Supercup

• Winners (1): 2022

KB Trepça (2015–2025)