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. The creation of the league aimed to professionalize basketball in Norway and improve its competitive level.

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

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

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

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.

Current teams (2024–25)

2024–25 teams

Basketligaen Norge is located in Norway
Location of teams in 2024–25 Basketligaen Norge
TeamCityArena
AmmerudOsloApallokka
Asker AliensAskerVollenhallen
BærumBærumRykkinnhallen
Centrum TigersOsloVulkanhallen
FrøyaBergenFrøya Idrettspark
FyllingenFramohallen
GimleGimlehallen
Kongsberg MinersKongsbergKongsberghallen
Nidaros JetsTrondheimTrondheim Spektrum
Oppsal PanthersOsloOppsal Arena
Tromsø StormTromsøTromsøhallen

Former teams

ClubFirst season in top divisionNumber of seasons in top divisionTop division titlesLast title
Bergen Bulldogs2001–021–n/a
Bærums Verk Jets2000–01512003–04
Fjellhamar Stallions2006–073–n/a
Frøya Ambassadors2002–033–n/a
Harstad Vikings2000–011012005–06
Kongsberg Penguins2000–017–n/a
Kristiansand Pirates2000–019–n/a
Langhus2011–121–n/a
Oslo Kings2000–01212000–01
Ulriken Eagles2000–011122008–09
Vålerenga Kings2002–031–n/a

Finals

SeasonChampionResultRunner-up
2000–01Oslo Kings3–2Kongsberg Penguins
2001–02Asker Aliens3–0Kongsberg Penguins
2002–03Asker Aliens3–0Harstad Vikings
2003–04Bærum Basket3–2Harstad Vikings
2004–05Asker Aliens3–0Harstad Vikings
2005–06Harstad Vikings3–2Asker Aliens
2006–07Ulriken Eagles3–1Harstad Vikings
2007–08Asker Aliens3–0Harstad Vikings
2008–09Ulriken Eagles3–2Tromsø Storm
2009–10Asker Aliens3–1Tromsø Storm
2010–11Bærum3–2Tromsø Storm
2011–12Frøya80–78Asker Aliens
2012–13Bærum81–65Tromsø Storm
2013–14Gimle102–68Ammerud
2014–15Asker Aliens81–75Bærum
2015–16Centrum Tigers85–71Tromsø Storm
2016–17Centrum Tigers87–74Gimle
2017–18Kongsberg Miners2–1Asker Aliens
2018–19Kongsberg Miners2–1Gimle
2019–20Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21
2021–22Gimle3–1Bærum
2022–23Gimle3–1Frøya Ambassadors
2023–24Fyllingen BBK[no]3–0Bærum
2024–25Fyllingen BBK[no]3–2Kongsberg Miners

Awards

Most Valuable Player

YearPlayerPositionNationalityTeam
2011–12Stian MjøsPGNorwayBærum Basket
2012–13Gerald WalaceFUnited StatesTromsø Storm
2015–16Mike BruesewitzFUnited StatesBærum Basket
2016–17Juan FerralesPGUnited StatesKongsberg Miners
2017–18Aksel BolinFNorwayAsker Aliens
2018–19Milovan SavicCCroatiaGimle Basket
2019–20Juan FerralesPGUnited StatesKongsberg Miners
2020–21Devin GilliganGUnited StatesFroya Basket
2021–22Wayne StewartFUnited StatesFroya Basket
2022–23Devin GilliganG/FUnited StatesFyllingen BBK
2023–24Terrell BrownGUnited StatesFyllingen BBK
2024–25Dashawn DavisGUnited StatesFyllingen BBK

Finals MVP

YearPlayerPositionNationalityTeam
2011–12Miilah KombatFNorwayFrøya Basket
2013–14Audun EskelandPGNorwayGimle Basket
2014–15Anders StienSGNorwayAsker Aliens
2015–16Roy NwachukwuFNorwayCentrum Tigers
2016–17Aksel BolinFNorwayCentrum Tigers
2017–18Brian VoelkelFRepublic of Ireland IrelandKongsberg Miners
2018–19Robert HubbsSGUnited States United StatesKongsberg Miners
2021–22Milovan SavicCCroatiaGimle Basket
2022–23Jørgen OdfjellFNorwayGimle Basket
2023–24Terrell BrownGUnited StatesFyllingen BBK
2024–25Dashawn DavisGUnited StatesFyllingen BBK

Young Player of the Year

YearPlayerPositionNationalityTeam
2011–12Magnus MidtvedtGNorwayAsker Aliens
2012–13Marko LepovicSGSerbiaCentrum Tigers
2014–15Johannes DolvenFNorwayBærum Basket
2015–16Harald Eika FreyPGNorwayCentrum Tigers
2016–17Lars Fredrik EspePGNorwayGimle
2017–18Mikal GjerdeSGNorwayKongsberg Miners
2018–19Sigurd LorangePGNorwayGimle
2019–20Jørgen OdfjellGNorwayGimle
2021–22Hallvard Venstad StaffFNorwayTromsø Storm
2022–23Oscar HellebustCNorwayBærum Basket
2023–24Reidar GrevePGNorwayGimle
2024–25Sivert NordheimG/FNorwayCentrum Tigers

Defensive Player of the Year

YearPlayerPositionNationalityTeam
2011–12Anthony Lee-IngramFUnited StatesAsker Aliens
2012–13Delano ThomasPFUnited StatesGimle
2015–16Eric GilchreseGUnited StatesAmmerud Basket
2016–17Eric GilchreseGUnited StatesBærum Basket
2017–18Fred ThomasGUnited StatesKongsberg Miners
2018–19Milovan SavicCSerbia SerbiaGimle
2019–20Eric GilchresePGUnited StatesAsker Aliens
2021–22Lars Fredrik EspePGNorwayGimle
2022–23Jacob TryonCUnited StatesOppsal Panthers
2023–24Xavier FullerGUnited StatesTromsø Storm
2024–25Jacob TryonCUnited StatesFrøya

External links