Thor Basket Tervuren has been a staple of the Tervuren community for five decades, serving as a breeding ground for young talent with a great passion for basketball. Founded in 1975 around Heilig Hart College, Tervuren’s basketball club is now gearing up to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025.
The upcoming anniversary brings reflections on the club’s rich history and ambitions for the future. “We are looking for enthusiastic players with some experience for our U16 team,” says Dany Theuwissen, the dedicated coach of Thor Basket Tervuren. “We currently have U10, U12, and U14 teams, but next season some of our U14 players will move up to U16, and we don’t have enough players to complete the team.”
De club werd opgericht door Xavier Lamoral, een student aan het Heilig Hart College, basketbalenthousiast en later sportjournalist bij Het Laatste Nieuws. Lamoral saw potential in Theuwissen, who was then a young footballer. “He saw me playing basketball at school and said, ‘We have a new basketball club, and I want you to join.’ Convincing my parents to switch from football to basketball was a challenge,” recalls Theuwissen. “But Xavier persevered. Eventually, my father agreed on the condition that I get good grades.”
Iconic Players and Coaches
Theuwissen reminisces about the early days when Xavier, leveraging his journalistic connections, brought in seasoned players like Corky Bell to coach the young team. Born in New York, Bell moved to Belgium in 1968, became Belgian in 1973, and played for Belgium in 1977. Corky’s training sessions drew many young kids.
The dedication and perseverance of the club’s members laid a solid foundation for youth development. “We started setting up youth teams,” says Theuwissen. “And that was the beginning of youth basketball in Tervuren.”
Despite challenges over the years, Thor Basket Tervuren has produced remarkable talent. “Ismaël Bako, a national team player, started here,” says Theuwissen proudly. “He has played for top clubs in Belgium and Europe, including Leuven Bears, Antwerp Giants, Villeurbanne, Bàsquet Manresa, Bologna, and now in Kazan, Russia.”
The club’s current focus is on rebuilding the senior team post-pandemic. “We had an A-team, but due to COVID-19, several players dropped out, and we had to dissolve the team,” explains Theuwissen. “We are now focusing on rebuilding with youth teams, with the eventual return to a senior team.”
Looking ahead, the club is optimistic about new facilities. “A new complex with a large sports hall and swimming pool is planned in Tervuren,” shares Theuwissen. “Basketball is in high demand, and we currently have an agreement with the municipality that new members can train three times for free before joining.”
As Thor Basket Tervuren looks forward to celebrating its 50th anniversary, the focus on youth development remains central. “We are a small, family-oriented club,” emphasizes Theuwissen, “but we pay attention to every player and ensure they get the right training and support.”
More info: https://thortervuren.com/
