"Gulbene Buki" becomes farm club of "Riga Zelli"

"Riga Zelli" and "Gulbene Buki" have signed a cooperation agreement under which the Gulbene club officially becomes a farm team for the Riga side. Under the deal, Zelli players who at a given moment lack sufficient playing time in the main squad will be able to represent "Buki," giving them regular game practice. In return, the Gulbene club gains the opportunity to strengthen its roster and attract talented players.

Buki will continue to be led by coach Raimonds Gabrāns, himself a product of Gulbene's basketball school.

Club history and Gulbene's basketball tradition

"Gulbene Buki" was founded in 1997 by manager Egils Čakars and played in the top division of the Latvian Basketball League from its founding until 2009, winning bronze medals three times. Several well-known Latvian basketball players have featured for the club over the years, including brothers Edmunds and Raimonds Gabrāns, Uldis Rudzītis and others. In recent years, Gulbene's youth system has continued to produce players who have gone on to represent Latvia's youth national teams.

Buki board chairman Gatis Rikveilis says the club has always served as a stage for young athletes to prove themselves and expressed satisfaction with the mutually beneficial partnership, which will allow Gulbene-trained players to compete in the Eurocup while also returning home at times to represent their home club.

Riga Zelli president Edgars Buļs notes that Gulbene stands out for having one of the highest concentrations of developed basketball talent in Latvia, and that three Gulbene-trained players have already played for Zelli. He says choosing Buki as a farm club is a logical step that will let Zelli's young players gain game experience and develop leadership skills.