There are 30 basketball teams around the world that start with the letter “Z.” These teams come from many different countries and leagues, showing how basketball is truly a global sport. From well-known professional clubs like the Chicago Zephyrs and BC Žalgiris Kaunas to lesser-known teams playing in local and developmental leagues, this list covers a wide range of basketball organizations with diverse histories and levels of play.
Below is the complete list of basketball teams starting with the letter “Z,” organized to give you a clear view of each team’s background.
Team Name This column lists the official name of each basketball team. It helps you identify the team clearly, whether they are professional, collegiate, or amateur.
League/Association Here you will find the league or association where the team competes. This may include top professional leagues like the NBA or EuroLeague, national leagues, or lower-tier and developmental competitions.
Location (City/State/Country) This shows the city and country where the team is based. Knowing the location helps you understand the geographical spread of basketball teams starting with “Z” and gives context about their regional background.
Description The description provides a brief summary of the team’s history, achievements, or notable facts. This helps give a fuller picture of each team’s identity and role within its league or community.
Basketball Teams that start with Z
| Team Name | Country | City | League |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Zephyrs | USA | Chicago | NBA |
| Zabok | Croatia | Zabok | HT Premijer liga |
| Zadar | Croatia | Zadar | HT Premijer liga, ABA League |
| ZAK Kętrzyn | Poland | Kętrzyn | Polish lower leagues |
| Zakho | Iraq | Zakho | Iraqi Basketball League |
| Zalgiris Kaunas | Lithuania | Kaunas | LKL, EuroLeague |
| Zalgiris-2 | Lithuania | Kaunas | NKL |
| Zamalek | Egypt | Giza | Egyptian Basketball Super League |
| Zaporizhzhia | Ukraine | Zaporizhzhia | Ukrainian SuperLeague |
| Zaragoza | Spain | Zaragoza | Liga ACB, Basketball Champions League |
| Zastal Zielona Góra | Poland | Zielona Góra | PLK |
| Zemgale/LLU | Latvia | Jelgava | Latvian-Estonian Basketball League |
| Zemun Fitofarmacija | Serbia | Zemun | Serbian lower leagues |
| Zenit Saint Petersburg | Russia | Saint Petersburg | VTB United League |
| Zentro Basket Madrid | Spain | Madrid | LEB Plata |
| Zhejiang Golden Bulls | China | Hangzhou | CBA |
| Zhejiang Guangsha Lions | China | Hangzhou | CBA |
| Zhitomir | Ukraine | Zhytomyr | Ukrainian lower leagues |
| Željo 1971 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Sarajevo | Bosnian A1 League |
| Žoltasti Troti | Slovenia | Grosuplje | Slovenian 1. SKL |
| Zlatibor | Serbia | Čajetina | KLS, ABA League 2 |
| Zlatorog Laško | Slovenia | Laško | Slovenian 1. SKL |
| Zob Ahan Isfahan | Iran | Isfahan | Iranian Basketball Super League |
| Zoltek Doral | Hungary | Szeged | NB I/A |
| Zornotza Saskibaloi Taldea | Spain | Amorebieta-Etxano | LEB Plata |
| Zrinjevac | Croatia | Zagreb | Croatian lower leagues |
| Zrinjski Mostar | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Mostar | Bosnian Championship, ABA League 2 |
| ZTE KK | Hungary | Zalaegerszeg | NB I/A |
| ZTE NKK | Hungary | Zalaegerszeg | NB I/A (Women’s) |
| ZZ Leiden | Netherlands | Leiden | BNXT League, FIBA Europe Cup |
Descriptions
Chicago Zephyrs
The Chicago Zephyrs was an NBA team from Chicago, Illinois, active for the 1962–63 season before relocating. They were one of the early professional basketball franchises in the city, known for their brief but notable presence in the league.
Zabok
KK Zabok is a professional basketball club based in Zabok, Croatia. They compete in the HT Premijer liga, Croatia’s top-tier basketball competition, known for developing local talent and contributing to Croatian basketball.
Zadar
KK Zadar is a highly successful Croatian basketball club from Zadar, with a rich history. They compete in both the Croatian HT Premijer liga and the regional ABA League, often playing in European competitions.
ZAK Kętrzyn
ZAK Kętrzyn is a Polish basketball club. They typically compete in the lower divisions of Polish basketball, focusing on local development and community involvement within the sport in the Kętrzyn region.
Zakho
Zakho Basketball Club is an Iraqi professional team based in Zakho. They participate in the Iraqi Basketball League, representing the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in national competitions and fostering basketball in the area.
Zalgiris Kaunas
BC Žalgiris Kaunas is Lithuania’s most famous and successful basketball club. A perennial EuroLeague contender, they dominate the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) and are known for their passionate fanbase and rich history.
Zalgiris-2
Žalgiris-2 is the reserve team of BC Žalgiris Kaunas. They compete in the National Basketball League (NKL), Lithuania’s second-tier, focusing on developing young talents for the main Žalgiris squad and future professional careers.
Zamalek
Zamalek SC Basketball is a prominent Egyptian club, part of the larger Zamalek multi-sport club based in Giza. They are one of the most successful teams in the Egyptian Basketball Super League, with a strong legacy.
Zaporizhzhia
BC Zaporizhzhia is a Ukrainian professional basketball club from Zaporizhzhia. They participate in the Ukrainian SuperLeague, the highest level of basketball in Ukraine, striving for national success and developing local players.
Zaragoza
Casademont Zaragoza is a Spanish professional basketball club. They compete in the Liga ACB, Spain’s top league, and regularly participate in European competitions like the Basketball Champions League, representing Zaragoza.
Zastal Zielona Góra
Enea Zastal BC Zielona Góra is a leading Polish basketball team. They are multiple-time Polish champions, competing in the Polish Basketball League (PLK) and have a history of playing in various European club competitions.
Zemgale/LLU
BK Zemgale/LLU is a Latvian professional basketball club based in Jelgava. They participate in the Latvian-Estonian Basketball League, a joint league for the top teams from both countries, contributing to regional basketball.
Zemun Fitofarmacija
KK Zemun Fitofarmacija is a Serbian basketball club based in Zemun, a municipality of Belgrade. They typically compete in the lower divisions of Serbian basketball, focusing on local talent development and community engagement.
Zenit Saint Petersburg
BC Zenit Saint Petersburg is a prominent Russian professional basketball club. They compete in the VTB United League and have previously participated in the EuroLeague, known for strong performances and a modern setup.
Zentro Basket Madrid
Zentro Basket Madrid is a Spanish basketball club. They primarily focus on youth development and have a senior team competing in the LEB Plata, the third tier of Spanish professional basketball, nurturing young talent.
Zhejiang Golden Bulls
The Zhejiang Golden Bulls are a Chinese professional basketball team based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. They compete in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), China’s top professional league, known for their competitive play.
Zhejiang Guangsha Lions
The Zhejiang Guangsha Lions are another professional basketball team from Hangzhou, Zhejiang. They compete in the CBA, often considered strong contenders in China’s premier basketball league, showcasing top talent.
Zhitomir
While “Zhitomir” refers to the city of Zhytomyr, Ukraine, a specific prominent basketball team directly bearing this name is not currently active in top leagues. The city does have basketball presence in lower divisions.
Željo 1971
KK Željo 1971 is a Bosnian basketball club from Sarajevo. Part of the larger Željezničar sports society, they participate in Bosnian basketball competitions, fostering local talent and heritage within the city.
Žoltasti Troti
KK Žoltasti Troti is a Slovenian basketball club based in Grosuplje. They participate in Slovenian basketball leagues, known for their grassroots approach and developing young players within the region of Grosuplje.
Zlatibor
KK Zlatibor is a Serbian professional basketball club from Čajetina, located in the Zlatibor region. They compete in the Basketball League of Serbia (KLS) and the regional ABA League 2, a rising force.
Zlatorog Laško
KK Zlatorog Laško is a Slovenian professional basketball club. They have a long history in the Slovenian 1. SKL, the top-tier league, and are known for their consistent presence in national competitions.
Zob Ahan Isfahan
Zob Ahan Isfahan Basketball Club is a major Iranian team, part of the Zob Ahan multi-sport club based in Isfahan. They are a competitive force in the Iranian Basketball Super League.
Zoltek Doral
Zoltek Doral was a historical Hungarian basketball club from Szeged. They competed in the top Hungarian league, NB I/A, before the club evolved or was dissolved. Known for their presence in Hungarian basketball.
Zornotza Saskibaloi Taldea
Zornotza Saskibaloi Taldea is a Spanish Basque professional basketball club based in Amorebieta-Etxano. They compete in the LEB Plata, the third level of the Spanish basketball league system, nurturing local talent.
Zrinjevac
KK Zrinjevac is a basketball club from Zagreb, Croatia. While once a notable team in Croatian basketball, they now typically compete in the lower divisions, focusing on local player development and community sport.
Zrinjski Mostar
HKK Zrinjski Mostar is a professional basketball club from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. They compete in the Bosnian Championship and have participated in the regional ABA League 2, representing Mostar.
ZTE KK
ZTE KK is a Hungarian professional basketball club based in Zalaegerszeg. They are a long-standing participant in the NB I/A, Hungary’s top basketball league, with a history of competitive play and local support.
ZTE NKK
ZTE NKK is the women’s professional basketball club from Zalaegerszeg, Hungary. They compete in the highest tier of Hungarian women’s basketball, contributing to the sport’s development nationally and locally.
ZZ Leiden
Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden, or ZZ Leiden, is a successful Dutch professional basketball club. They compete in the BNXT League (Dutch and Belgian top league) and regularly play in European competitions.