First ENBL team from Georgia: welcome, Caucasus International University!
Basketball club Caucasus International University, representing capital Tbilisi, is the first club from Georgia to play in the European North Basketball league.
Georgia has a long basketball tradition.
Armia Tbilisi, later re-established as Mgzavrebi Tbilisi, was the first team outside Moscow and Saint Petersburg to win the Soviet Union championship in 1944 and 1946.
Dinamo Tbilisi did the same in 1950, 1953, 1954 and 1968.
On June 29, 1962, Dinamo Tbilisi won the European Champions Cup after a 90-83 success against Real Madrid at the Patinoire des Vernets arena in Geneva, Switzerland.
Georgia became the member of FIBA in 1992, shortly after dissolution of the Soviet Union.
After expansion of the European championship from 16 to 24 teams in 2011, Georgia qualified for the EuroBasket for the first time.
As of 2026, the Georgians have six consecutive EuroBasket appearances.
On September 7, 2025, Georgia advanced to the European quarterfinals for the first time, after a 80-70 win against France in Rīga, Latvia.
Georgia is known for its living legend Tornike Shengelia.
Toko helps his national team, whenever possible, setting a gold standard in world basketball.
Other big names – two time NBA champion Zaza Pachulia (Golden State Warriors 2017 and 2018), Giorgi Shermadini (retired in 2025), Sandro Mamukelashvili, Goga Bitadze, Duda Sanadze.
Basketball club Caucasus International University
Despite being a relatively young professional basketball project, BC CIU has quickly established itself among the ambitious and competitive clubs in Georgian basketball. The club progressed through the Georgian basketball system to the country's top division and has continued to build a strong sporting and organizational foundation.
A Rapid Rise
BC CIU's recent achievements include:
2022 - Dudu Dadiani Memorial Tournament Winner
2022/23 - Georgian Superleague Bronze Medal
2024 - Zurab Sakandelidze & Mikheil Korkia Memorial Cup Winner
2023/24 - Georgian Superleague Runner-up
These results reflect the club's rapid development and its ambition to compete at the highest level in Georgia while taking the next step into European competition.
National Team Players and Georgian Talent
An important part of BC CIU's sporting philosophy is the development and promotion of Georgian basketball players. The professional team includes Georgian National Team players, while the club's development structure also works with young players represented at different levels of Georgia's youth national teams.
BC CIU aims to combine experienced Georgian players, promising young talent and quality international players in a competitive professional environment.
BC CIU Academy
Youth development is a central part of the club's long-term strategy. BC CIU operates its own basketball academy, creating a development pathway from youth basketball toward the professional team.
The academy is designed to develop future BC CIU players and contribute to Georgian basketball by providing young athletes with high-level coaching, modern training conditions and a clear pathway toward professional basketball.
New European-Level Basketball Infrastructure
BC CIU is entering a new stage of its development with brand-new, premium-quality basketball infrastructure in Tbilisi. The club has its own modern home arena featuring a FIBA-standard professional basketball court, baskets, scoreboard and high-level training and operational facilities.
Together with the professional team and academy, the new infrastructure is part of a wider vision to create a modern European basketball environment in Tbilisi.
The Next Step – Europe
Joining the European North Basketball League represents the next major step in BC CIU's development. The club enters the ENBL with clear ambitions: to compete internationally, represent Georgian basketball with pride, provide European experience for its players and continue building a sustainable professional basketball organization.
For BC CIU, participation in the ENBL is more than joining an international competition - it is the beginning of a new European chapter for the club.
Tbilisi is served by Tbilisi International airport (TBS).
