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Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi (women's basketball)

Near East University Sports Club

Near East University Sports Club, commonly referred to as NEU Angels, is a Turkish Cypriot women's basketball team based in Northern Cyprus. The team competes in the Turkish Women's Basketball League and represents Northern Cyprus internationally.

The university's women's basketball team was founded in 2014 by the Near East University Basketball Development Association (B.G.D.), which initially sponsored the Istanbul University Women Basketball Team. In 2011, the team secured a spot in the league after being saved from relegation in the last week of the season. The association fought for promotion to the Turkish Women's Basketball League and eventually achieved this goal in the 2015-16 season.

In the 2016-17 season, NEU Angels won their first major title by claiming the EuroCup Women championship. They also secured a spot in the Euroleague Women competition, marking the team's debut in the top-tier European league. The following season saw them win the Turkish Championship and Turkish Cup titles, solidifying their position as one of the dominant teams in Turkish women's basketball.

In 2017-18, NEU Angels achieved another continental treble by winning the Euroleague Women competition, followed by claiming the Turkish League and Turkish Cup titles once again. The team has a strong following in Northern Cyprus and is considered one of the top women's basketball clubs in Turkey.

History

The Near East University Sports Club was initially known as the Sport Club of the Near East University Basketball Development Association before being renamed to its current name in 2017. The club has undergone significant changes over the years, including a rebranding and relocation from Kyrenia University to Istanbul.

Successes

* EuroCup Women Champion (1): 2016-17
* Turkish Championship Winner (2): 2016-17, 2017-18
* Turkish Cup Winner (3): 2016-17, 2017-18
* FIBA Europe SuperCup Runner-up (1): 2017

Background and Representation

The Near East University Sports Club is based in Istanbul, Turkey, but represents Northern Cyprus internationally. The team has a strong following in the region and competes against other top women's basketball teams from around the world.

Notable Players and Coaches

* Ann Wauters
* Sandrine Gruda
* Courtney Vandersloot