Basketligaen Norge
Basketball league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
| |
| Organising body | NBBF |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 |
| First season | 1974–75 |
| Country | Norway |
| Confederation | FIBA Europe |
| Number of teams | 11 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | 1. divisjon |
| Domestic cup | Norwegian Cup |
| Current champions | Fyllingen Basketballklubb (2nd title) (2023–24) |
| Most championships | Asker Aliens (6 titles) |
| Website | www |
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
| 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 |  Ireland |
Kongsberg Miners |
| 2018–19 | Robert Hubbs | SG |  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 |
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 |