Basketligaen Norge

BLNO
Organising bodyNBBF
Founded1974 (1974)
First season1974–75
CountryNorway
ConfederationFIBA Europe
Number of teams11
Level on pyramid1
Relegation to1. divisjon
Domestic cup(s)Norwegian Cup
Current championsFyllingen Basketballklubb (2nd title)
(2023–24)
Most championshipsAsker Aliens
(6 titles)
Websitewww.basket.no/blno

Basketligaen Norge, better known as BLNO, is a professional men's basketball league in Norway. It was established in 2000 following the rebranding of the former premier division Hovedserien (1974–2000). The competition is organised by the Norwegian Basketball Federation (NBBF). It is played with a regular season and playoff format.

History

Basketligaen Norge was established in 2000, replacing the former Hovedserien that had run since 1974.[1] The creation of the league aimed to professionalize basketball in Norway and improve its competitive level.[2]

During the 2000s, BLNO grew steadily, expanding its team roster and introducing playoffs to enhance the excitement and audience engagement.[3] Clubs like Asker Aliens emerged as dominant, securing multiple titles and raising the league’s profile.[4]

In the late 2010s, the league faced financial difficulties and fluctuating team participation, but efforts were made to stabilize and revitalize the competition.[5] The COVID-19 pandemic led to cancellation of the 2020–21 season, disrupting league operations.[6]

Recent investments in youth development programs and media partnerships, such as with MyGame streaming, have helped increase the league’s visibility and fan base.[7]

Format

The season consists of a regular season followed by playoffs, which determine the league champion. The lowest-ranked teams are relegated to the 1. divisjon.[8]

Current teams (2024–25)

2024–25 teams

Location of teams in 2024–25 Basketligaen Norge
Team City Arena
Ammerud Oslo Apallokka
Asker Aliens Asker Vollenhallen
Bærum Bærum Rykkinnhallen
Centrum Tigers Oslo Vulkanhallen
Frøya Bergen Frøya Idrettspark
Fyllingen Framohallen
Gimle Gimlehallen
Kongsberg Miners Kongsberg Kongsberghallen
Nidaros Jets Trondheim Trondheim Spektrum
Oppsal Panthers Oslo Oppsal Arena
Tromsø Storm Tromsø Tromsøhallen

Former teams

Club
 First season in
top division 		Number of seasons
in top division 		Top division
titles 		Last title
Bergen Bulldogs 2001–02 1 – n/a
Bærums Verk Jets 2000–01 5 1 2003–04
Fjellhamar Stallions 2006–07 3 – n/a
Frøya Ambassadors 2002–03 3 – n/a
Harstad Vikings 2000–01 10 1 2005–06
Kongsberg Penguins 2000–01 7 – n/a
Kristiansand Pirates 2000–01 9 – n/a
Langhus 2011–12 1 – n/a
Oslo Kings 2000–01 2 1 2000–01
Ulriken Eagles 2000–01 11 2 2008–09
Vålerenga Kings 2002–03 1 – n/a

Finals

Season Champion Result Runner-up
2000–01 Oslo Kings 3–2 Kongsberg Penguins
2001–02 Asker Aliens 3–0 Kongsberg Penguins
2002–03 Asker Aliens 3–0 Harstad Vikings
2003–04 Bærum Basket 3–2 Harstad Vikings
2004–05 Asker Aliens 3–0 Harstad Vikings
2005–06 Harstad Vikings 3–2 Asker Aliens
2006–07 Ulriken Eagles 3–1 Harstad Vikings
2007–08 Asker Aliens 3–0 Harstad Vikings
2008–09 Ulriken Eagles 3–2 Tromsø Storm
2009–10 Asker Aliens 3–1 Tromsø Storm
2010–11 Bærum 3–2 Tromsø Storm
2011–12 Frøya 80–78 Asker Aliens
2012–13 Bærum 81–65 Tromsø Storm
2013–14 Gimle 102–68 Ammerud
2014–15 Asker Aliens 81–75 Bærum
2015–16 Centrum Tigers 85–71 Tromsø Storm
2016–17 Centrum Tigers 87–74 Gimle
2017–18 Kongsberg Miners 2–1 Asker Aliens
2018–19 Kongsberg Miners 2–1 Gimle
2019–20 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21
2021–22 Gimle 3–1 Bærum
2022–23 Gimle 3–1 Frøya Ambassadors
2023–24 Fyllingen BBK 3–0 Bærum
2024–25 Fyllingen BBK 3–2 Kongsberg Miners

Awards

Most Valuable Player

Year Player Position Nationality Team
2011–12 Stian Mjøs PG  Norway Bærum Basket
2012–13 Gerald Walace F  United States Tromsø Storm
2015–16 Mike Bruesewitz F  United States Bærum Basket
2016–17 Juan Ferrales PG  United States Kongsberg Miners
2017–18 Aksel Bolin F  Norway Asker Aliens
2018–19 Milovan Savic C  Croatia Gimle Basket
2019–20 Juan Ferrales PG  United States Kongsberg Miners
2020–21 Devin Gilligan G  United States Froya Basket
2021–22 Wayne Stewart F  United States Froya Basket
2022–23 Devin Gilligan G/F  United States Fyllingen BBK
2023–24 Terrell Brown G  United States Fyllingen BBK
2024–25 Dashawn Davis G  United States Fyllingen BBK

Finals MVP

Year Player Position Nationality Team
2011–12 Miilah Kombat F  Norway Frøya Basket
2013–14 Audun Eskeland PG  Norway Gimle Basket
2014–15 Anders Stien SG  Norway Asker Aliens
2015–16 Roy Nwachukwu F  Norway Centrum Tigers
2016–17 Aksel Bolin F  Norway Centrum Tigers
2017–18 Brian Voelkel F Republic of Ireland Ireland Kongsberg Miners
2018–19 Robert Hubbs SG United States United States Kongsberg Miners
2021–22 Milovan Savic C  Croatia Gimle Basket
2022–23 Jørgen Odfjell F  Norway Gimle Basket
2023–24 Terrell Brown G  United States Fyllingen BBK
2024–25 Dashawn Davis G  United States Fyllingen BBK

Young Player of the Year

Year Player Position Nationality Team
2011–12 Magnus Midtvedt G  Norway Asker Aliens
2012–13 Marko Lepovic SG  Serbia Centrum Tigers
2014–15 Johannes Dolven F  Norway Bærum Basket
2015–16 Harald Eika Frey PG  Norway Centrum Tigers
2016–17 Lars Fredrik Espe PG  Norway Gimle
2017–18 Mikal Gjerde SG  Norway Kongsberg Miners
2018–19 Sigurd Lorange PG  Norway Gimle
2019–20 Jørgen Odfjell G  Norway Gimle
2021–22 Hallvard Venstad Staff F  Norway Tromsø Storm
2022–23 Oscar Hellebust C  Norway Bærum Basket
2023–24 Reidar Greve PG  Norway Gimle
2024–25 Sivert Nordheim G/F  Norway Centrum Tigers

Defensive Player of the Year

Year Player Position Nationality Team
2011–12 Anthony Lee-Ingram F  United States Asker Aliens
2012–13 Delano Thomas PF  United States Gimle
2015–16 Eric Gilchrese G  United States Ammerud Basket
2016–17 Eric Gilchrese G  United States Bærum Basket
2017–18 Fred Thomas G  United States Kongsberg Miners
2018–19 Milovan Savic C Serbia Serbia Gimle
2019–20 Eric Gilchrese PG  United States Asker Aliens
2021–22 Lars Fredrik Espe PG  Norway Gimle
2022–23 Jacob Tryon C  United States Oppsal Panthers
2023–24 Xavier Fuller G  United States Tromsø Storm
2024–25 Jacob Tryon C  United States Frøya

References

  1. ^ "New era for Norwegian basketball as BLNO launches". Oslo Times. September 15, 2000. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  2. ^ "Norwegian basketball aims higher with BLNO". Nordic Basket News. February 10, 2001. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  3. ^ "BLNO expands and embraces playoffs format". Sporten Posten. May 3, 2007. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  4. ^ "Asker Aliens dominate Norwegian basketball". Oslo Times. April 22, 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  5. ^ "Challenges and recovery in Norwegian basketball". Norwegian Sports Daily. November 5, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  6. ^ "BLNO cancels 2020-21 season due to COVID-19". Sporten Posten. March 18, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  7. ^ "New media deals boost BLNO visibility". Nordic Basket News. February 20, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  8. ^ "BLNO Competition Format". Eurobasket. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.