Early years (1920–43)

On 15 August 1920, shortly after Tirana became the capital city of Albania, patriot and football enthusiast Palokë Nika, who had already formed Vllaznia Shkodër built and trained a new team in Tirana, with A. Erebara, P. Jakova, A. Hoxha, Anastas Koja, P. Berisha, Avni Zajmi, H. Fortuzi, B. Pazari, L. Berisha, S. Frasheri, H. Alizoti, A. Gjitomi, and V. Fekeci. The name of the team was Gjurmuesit Republikanë, which a few months later was changed into Agimi Sports Association. The name Agimi (in English: Dawn), was taken from the building in the centre of Tirana near to where they would hold meetings.^[2] In 1925 the association's governing council was elected and its members were Avni Zajmi, Selman Stërmasi, B. Toptani, Irfan Gjinali and Anastas Koja. On 16 August 1927, which was the seventh anniversary of the formation of the Agimi Sports Association, the club's name changed into Sportklub Tirana, which would be commonly referred to as SK Tirana.^[3] On that day the president of the club was Teki Selenica.^[4] Although SK Tirana's early history was dominated by its emphasis on its football department, basketball was experiencing a rise in popularity in Albania at the time and basketball clubs across the country were being set up and friendly games were occasionally being played between clubs from different cities.

Early history and trophies (1944–72)

After the end of World War II and the liberation of Albania in 1944 Albania fell in the hands of the socialist dictator Enver Hoxha, and soon after sport in the country became organised, with national teams and domestic competitions being set up by the communist regime, and this happened with basketball in 1946. In early March 1946 at the Nacional movie theatre in Tirana, the ruling Communist Politburo had instructed the club to change its name to 17 Nëntori in honour of the Liberation of Tirana which took place on 17 November 1944 and later that year 17 Nëntori became a founding member of the Albanian Basketball League and they won the inaugural National Championship that took place in 1946. They failed to retain the title the following season as local rivals Partizani won the National Championship, but 17 Nëntori were to win 3 consecutive titles between 1948 and 1950.

Recent dominance (1999 onwards)

After 11 years drought Tirana got the right roster and coach and started winning trophies yet again. From 1999 to 2018 they won 28 such, dominating in the country. On 30 August 2016 it was announced that Tirana would compete in the 2016–17 Balkan International Basketball League, becoming only the second Albanian club to do so after BC Vllaznia.^[5][6] Ahead of the 2016–17 season they appointed Macedonian Slobodan Petrovski as head coach,^[7][8] and signed Albanian internationals Endrit Hysenagolli, Erkand Karaj as well as foreigners Nemanja Gavranić, Griffin Ramme and Manuel Johnson.^[9][10] Tirana played fellow debutants KB Trepça from Kosovo on 10 October 2016 at the Asllan Rusi Sports Palace in front of around 1,100 spectators, and they won 78–66 to claim a victory in their first ever Balkan League game.^[11][12]

Contrary to the domestic domination, even by approaching some quality new players and coach, KB Tirana in the Balkan League has failed to impress so far, despite 2017-18 season participation in play-off and some memorable wins. Playing, however only few seasons in this competition, team needs more experience and perhaps bringing more skillful players to seek success.

2016–17 squad changes

In Position Player Moving from Coach Erkand Karaj BC Kamza Basket PF Gerti Shima[14] Sigal Prishtina C Endrit Hysenagolli Bashkimi Prizren PF Endrit Hysenagolli KK Teodo Tivat PG Erkand Karaj BC Kamza Basket PF Nemanja Gavranić Garonne ASPTT Basket PG Griffin Ramme Bashkimi Prizren PF Joans Gjeci Superior Basket

Out Position Player Moving to PG Majk Vaqarri Free agent PF Marlin Sukaj Free agent SG Jeton Huqi Free agent PG Mired Jani Free agent Coach Slobodan Petrovski Free agent

Tirana in Europe

Season	Competition	Round	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1970–71	FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup	1R	KK Zadar	62–72	60–73	122–145
1971–72	FIBA European Champions Cup	1R	CJS Aleppo	20–0	20–0	40–0
		2R	Jugoplastika	77–90	58–85	135–175
1973–74	FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup	1R	KK Crvena zvezda	83–99	70–114	163–213

Notes

• QR: Qualifying round
• 1R: First round
• 2R: Second round

Tirana in the BIBL

Season	Competition	Round	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate	Advancing
2016–17	Balkan International Basketball League	First Stage Group B	Trepça	78–66	74–68	6th
			Feni Industries	63–72	57–98
			Sutjeska	56–79	61–77
			Karpoš Sokoli	83–100	74–78
			Peja	76–73	72-96
2017–18	Balkan International Basketball League	Regular Season	Blokotehna	67-92	68-100	6th
			Rilski Sportist	78-99	79-94
			Academic Plovdiv	61-97	69-90
			Levski	79-76	52-105
			Kumanovo	75–73	cancelled
			Bashkimi	75-69	95-101
			Ibar	95-65	102-107
2017–18	Balkan International Basketball League	Play-Off	Levski	67-73	75-98	0-2