# Basketligaen

The Basketligaen (English: The Basketball League) is the highest professional basketball league in Denmark. The men’s first division was originally founded in 1957.
Over the years, the league has undergone several name changes due to sponsorship deals. It was formerly known as Canal Digital Ligaen, Jordanligaen, and Premierligaen, among other names, including Elitedivisionen and 1. division. The current iteration of the league was officially established in 1998, though it has occasionally operated without a sponsor name.
The Bakken Bears are the league’s all-time record holders, having won 18 titles. BMS is notable for securing 5 consecutive titles from 1986 to 1990. The league’s main TV partner is Sport Live.
The league consists of 11 teams, and notably, it does not follow a relegation system. In the 2021/2022 season, the league was consolidated into a single division once again. Initially, the league started with 10 teams, and it expanded to 11 in the 2022/23 season when Holbæk/Stenhus joined.

## 2024-25 Teams

Basketligaen :
| Team | Home city | Arena | Capacity |
| Bakken Bears | Aarhus | Vejlby Risskov Center | 2,050 |
| BC Copenhagen | Copenhagen | Nørrebrohallen | 600 |
| Bears Academy | Aarhus | Vejlby Risskov Center | 2,050 |
| BK Amager | Tårnby | Amagerhallen | 1,500 |
| BMS Herlev | Herlev | Herlevhallen | 6,500 |
| Holdbæk Stenhus | Holbæk | Holbæk Sportsby | 1,000 |
| Horsens IC | Horsens | Forum Horsens | 4,000 |
| Randers Cimbria | Randers | Arena Randers | 3,000 |
| Svendborg Rabbits | Svendborg | Svendborg Idrætscenter | 1,922 |
| Team FOG Næstved | Næstved | Næstvedhallerne | 3,500 |
| Værløse Blue Hawks | Værløse | Søndersøhallen | 750 |

## The finals

| Champions 1995–2019 | Champions 1995–2019 | Champions 1995–2019 | Champions 1995–2019 | Champions 1995–2019 | Champions 1995–2019 | Finals | Finals |
| Season | Teams | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Relegation | Score | Finals MVP |
| 1995–96 | | Værløse/Farum (2) | Stevnsgade | Horsens IC | | | |
| 1996–97 | | Bakken Bears (3) | Hørsholm | Stevnsgade | | | |
| 1997–98 | | Horsens IC (3) | Bakken Bears | SISU BK | | | |
| 1998–99 | | Bakken Bears (4) | SISU BK | Horsens IC | | | |
| 1999-00 | | Bakken Bears (5) | Horsens IC | SISU BK | | | |
| 2000–01 | | Bakken Bears (6) | Værløse/Farum | BK Skjold/Stevnsgade Basket | | 2–1 | |
| 2001–02 | | Værløse/Farum (3) | Aabyhøj IF [da] | Bakken Bears | | 2–0 | |
| 2002–03 | 10 | BF Copenhagen [da] (2) | Bakken Bears | SISU BK | BF Copenhagen [da] | 2–0 | |
| 2003–04 | 10 | Bakken Bears (7) | Horsens IC | Team Sjælland [da] | BK Skjold/Stevnsgade Basket | 3–1 | |
| 2004–05 | 10 | Bakken Bears (8) | SISU BK | Svendborg Rabbits | Team Sjælland [da] | 3–2 | |
| 2005–06 | 11 | Horsens IC (4) | Bakken Bears | BK Amager | Herlev | 3–1 | |
| 2006–07 | 12 | Bakken Bears (9) | Svendborg Rabbits | Horsens IC | AAB Basket [da], Horsens Basketball Club [da], Team Sjælland [da] | 3–0 | |
| 2007–08 | 9 | Bakken Bears (10) | Svendborg Rabbits | BK Amager | | 4–0 | |
| 2008–09 | 10 | Bakken Bears (11) | Svendborg Rabbits | Randers Cimbria | Roskilde Basketball Klub | 4–3 | |
| 2009–10 | 10 | Svendborg Rabbits | Bakken Bears | Hørsholm 79ers | | 4–1 | |
| 2010–11 | 10 | Bakken Bears (12) | Svendborg Rabbits | Horsens IC | | 4–0 | |
| 2011–12 | 10 | Bakken Bears (13) | Svendborg Rabbits | Team FOG Næstved | | 4–2 | |
| 2012–13 | 10 | Bakken Bears (14) | Svendborg Rabbits | Horsens IC | | 4–3 | Chris Christoffersen |
| 2013–14 | 10 | Bakken Bears (15) | Randers Cimbria | Horsens IC | | 4–0 | Kenny Barker |
| 2014–15 | 10 | Horsens IC (5) | Bakken Bears | Team FOG Næstved | Aalborg Vikings, Værløse Basket (withdrew), Copenhagen Wolfpack (withdrew) | 4–2 | Brian Fitzpatrick |
| 2015–16 | 8 | Horsens IC (6) | Bakken Bears | Team FOG Næstved | | 4–3 | Nimrod Hilliard |
| 2016–17 | 8 | Bakken Bears (15) | Horsens IC | Svendborg Rabbits | SISU BK (withdrew) | 4–1 | Devaughn Akoon-Purcell |
| 2017–18 | 8 | Bakken Bears (16) | Horsens IC | Randers Cimbria | | 4–0 | Jeffrey Crockett |
| 2018–19 | 9 | Bakken Bears (17) | Horsens IC | Team FOG Næstved | | 4–0 | Tobin Carberry |
| 2019–20 | 10 | Bakken Bears (18) | Randers Cimbria | Horsens IC | | | No finals due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2020–21 | 10 | Bakken Bears (19) | Horsens IC | Svendborg Rabbits | | 4–2 | Michel Diouf |
| 2021–22 | 10 | Bakken Bears (20) | Svendborg Rabbits | Horsens IC | | 4–0 | Marvelle Harris |
| 2022–23 | 11 | Bakken Bears (21) | Team FOG Næstved | Randers Cimbria | | 4–0 | Ryan Evans |

## Awards

| Season | MVP | Defensive Player of The Year | Young Player of The Year | Coach of The Year | Coach of The Year | Referee of The Year |
| 2002–03 | Eric Bell | | | | | |
| 2003–04 | Joshua Metzger | | | Mads Christensen | Svendborg Rabbits | |
| 2004–05 | Eric Bell (2) | | | Craig Pedersen | Svendborg Rabbits | |
| 2005–06 | Thomas Skotting | | | Geof Kotila | Team FOG Næstved | |
| 2006–07 | Joshua Joel Buettner | | | Jesper Krone | BK Amager | |
| 2007–08 | Brandon Omar Thomas | | | Roberto Velosa | Hørsholm 79ers | |
| 2008–09 | Bonell Colas | | | Craig Pedersen (2) | Svendborg Rabbits | |
| 2009–10 | Johnell Smith | | Mathias Seilund | Marc Collins | Randers Cimbria | Jakob Hors |
| 2010–11 | Nicolai Iversen | Nicolai Iversen | Jonathan Gilling | Milan Škobalj | Hørsholm 79ers | Bo Bundgaard |
| 2011–12 | Chanan Colman | Corin Henry | Philip Hertz | Geof Kotila (2) | Team FOG Næstved | Bo Bundgaard (2) |
| 2012–13 | Darko Jukić | Bonell Colas | Frederik Rungby | Craig Pedersen (3) | Svendborg Rabbits | Morten Thomsen |
| 2013–14 | Johnell Smith | Frederik Hougaard Nielsen | Peter Møller | James Vear | Aalborg Vikings | Morten Thomsen (2) |
| 2014–15 | Skyler Bowlin | Baye Keita | Gabriel Iffe Lundberg | Arnel Dedić | Horsens IC | Morten Thomsen (3) |
| 2015–16 | Brandon Rozzell | Michel Diouf | August Haas | Israel Martín | Bakken Bears | Jakob Hors (2) |
| 2016–17 | Devaughn Akoon-Purcell | Jyles Smith | Asbjørn Midtgaard | Jim Jabir | SISU BK | Jakob Hors (3) |
| 2017–18 | Kevin Larsen | Michel Diouf (2) | Filip Rajovic | Arnel Dedić (2) | Horsens IC | Morten Thomsen (4) |
| 2018–19 | Ryan Evans | Michel Diouf (3) | Sylvester Berg | Steffen Wich | Bakken Bears | Andrada Monika Csender |
| 2019–20 | Roberto Gallinat | Michel Diouf (4) | Jonathan Klussmann | Jimmy Moore | Randers Cimbria | Andrada Monika Csender (2) |
| 2020–21 | QJ Peterson | Tylor Ongwae | Magnus Møllgaard | Jimmy Moore (2) | Svendborg Rabbits | Andrada Monika Csender (3) |
| 2021–22 | Sebastian Åris | Tylor Ongwae (2) | Mads Bro Hansen | Anders Sommer | Bakken Bears | Carsten Kristensen |
| 2022–23 | Mike McGuirl | Bakary Camara | Gustav Knudsen | Jimmy Moore (3) | Randers Cimbria | Carsten Kristensen (2) |
| 2023–24 | Gage Davis | Kur Jongkuch | Magnus Høj Madsen | Vedran Borovcanin | Horsens IC | Carsten Kristensen (3) |

## All-time Basketligaen table

The All-time Basketligaen table is an overall record of all match results of every team that has played in Basketligaen since 1958.
Last updated June 2018.
| Pos. | Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total of medals |
| 1 | Bakken Bears | 21 | 9 | 3 | 29 |
| 2 | SISU BK | 11 | 10 | 10 | 31 |
| 3 | Efterslægten BK | 6 | 4 | 3 | 13 |
| 4 | BMS | 6 | 1 | 6 | 13 |
| 5 | Horsens IC | 6 | 5 | 7 | 18 |
| 6 | Falcon Basketball | 4 | 8 | 4 | 16 |
| 7 | Stevnsgade Basketball | 3 | 5 | 9 | 17 |
| 8 | Virum BK | 2 | – | 5 | 7 |
| 9 | Hørsholm 79ers | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| 10 | Værløse/Farum | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 11 | BF Copenhagen [da] | 2 | – | – | 2 |
| 12 | Gladsaxe Basketball Klub | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 13 | Svendborg Rabbits | 1 | 6 | 2 | 9 |
| 14 | Viby Idræts Forening | – | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 15 | Randers Cimbria | – | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 16 | ABC | – | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 17 | Åbyhøj BK | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| 18 | Team FOG Næstved | – | – | 4 | 4 |
| 19 | Glostrup Basketball | – | – | 2 | 2 |
| 20 | BK Amager | – | – | 2 | 2 |
| 21 | Team Sjælland [da] | – | – | 1 | 1 |

## Statistical leaders

| Season | Points | Points | Rebounds | Rebounds | Assists | Assists | Steals | Steals | Turnovers | Turnovers |
| 2002–03 | Andy Wormsley (23.8) | Svendborg Rabbits | Marek Ondera (9.4) | Bakken Bears | Eric Bell (4.4) | Bakken Bears | Eric Bell (3.5) | Bakken Bears | Austin McKellar (4.5) | Hørsholm 79ers |
| 2003–04 | Steven Pettyjohn (28.4) | SISU BK | Jeff Markray (11.6) | Skjold Stevnsgade | Wayne Johnell Copeland (5.5) | Horsens IC | Wayne Johnell Copeland (5.0) | Horsens IC | Lasse Kristiansen (4.5) | AAB Basket [da] |
| 2004–05 | Flagan Prince (24.1) | BK Amager | Brian Sigafoos (11.2) | Hørsholm 79ers | Eric Bell (6.4) | Horsens IC | Eric Bell (4.4) | Horsens IC | Lasse Kristiansen (4.3) | AAB Basket [da] |
| 2005–06 | Joshua King (26.4) | Hørsholm 79ers | Monta McGhee (12.4) | Horsens IC | Martin Mariegaard (5.7) | Svendborg Rabbits | Spencer Ross (3.1) | Horsens IC | Alan Madsen (4.1) | Aabyhøj IF [da] |
| 2006–07 | Anthony Paez (27.7) | AAB Basket [da] | Monta McGhee (13.3) | Horsens IC | Tanoris Shepard (6.5) | Svendborg Rabbits | Dustin Pfeifer (2.9) | Team Sjælland [da] | Andreas Bloch (4.3) | SISU BK |
| 2007–08 | Brandon Omar Thomas (24.6) | Team FOG Næstved | Ivan Mišković (12.2) | Horsens IC | Jarrett Howell (4.7) | Svendborg Rabbits | Jarrett Howell (2.9) | Svendborg Rabbits | James Duane (3.4) | Hørsholm 79ers |
| 2008–09 | Christopher Gilliam (24.6) | Åbyhøj BK | Bonell Colas (14.3) | Randers Cimbria | David Smedley (5.2) | Randers Cimbria | Jesse Pellot-Rosa (3.0) | SISU BK | Darnell Kirkwood (3.8) | Horsens IC |
| 2009–10 | Mychal Lamont Kearse (23.4) | SISU BK | Chris Christoffersen (9.7) | Bakken Bears | David Smedley (6.5) | Randers Cimbria | Johnell Smith (2.8) | Svendborg Rabbits | Mychal Lamont Kearse (3.5) | SISU BK |
| 2010–11 | Thomas Soltau (22.8) | SISU BK | Lee Roberts (13.3) | Team FOG Næstved | David Smedley (6.4) | Team FOG Næstved | Lasse Kristiansen (2.1) | Aalborg Vikings | Thomas Soltau (3.6) | SISU BK |
| 2011–12 | Ryan Devon White (24.8) | Aalborg Vikings | D'Mario Curry (11.6) | Åbyhøj BK | Davor Sattler (5.4) | Horsens IC | Corin Henry (3.4) | Team FOG Næstved | D'Mario Curry (5.3) | Aabyhøj IF [da] |
| 2012–13 | Bonell Colas (24.3) | Randers Cimbria | Bonell Colas (14.7) | Randers Cimbria | Miguel Ortega (6.8) | Randers Cimbria | Skyler Bowlin (3.00) | Horsens IC | Miguel Ortega (3.7) | Randers Cimbria |
| 2013–14 | Joey Haywood (25.0) | Aalborg Vikings | Durell Vinson (15.2) | Falcon Basketball | Johnell Smith (5.8) | Svendborg Rabbits | Skyler Bowlin(2.65) | Horsens IC | Alex Murphy (3.3) | Team FOG Næstved |
| 2014–15 | Darryl Partin (27.0) | SISU BK | Bonell Colas (12.6) | Randers Cimbria | Antonio Porta (7.1) | Svendborg Rabbits | Marquis Addison (2.4) | Horsens IC | Chris Marius Nielsen (4.0) | Randers Cimbria |
| 2014–15 | Darryl Partin (27.0) | SISU BK | Bonell Colas (12.6) | Randers Cimbria | Antonio Porta (7.1) | Svendborg Rabbits | Skyler Bowlin (2.4) | Horsens IC | Chris Marius Nielsen (4.0) | Randers Cimbria |
| 2015–16 | Brandon Rozzell (24.5) | Svendborg Rabbits | Evan Yates (9.9) | Hørsholm 79ers | Brandon Rozzell (5.8) | Svendborg Rabbits | Troy Franklin (2.2) | Team FOG Næstved | Brandon Rozzell (3.7) | Svendborg Rabbits |
| 2016–17 | DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (21.4) | Bakken Bears | Tanner McGrew (10.5) | SISU BK | Frederik Hougaard Nielsen (6.5) | Hørsholm 79ers | Myles Mack (2.1) | Horsens IC | Chris Marius Nielsen (4.2) | Randers Cimbria |
| 2017-18 | Matt Bonds (22.4) | Hørsholm 79ers | Durell Vinson (12.8) | Copenhagen Wolfpack | Frederik Hougaard Nielsen (6.0) | Hørsholm 79ers | Troy Franklin (2.2) | Team FOG Næstved | Filip Rajovic (3.4) | Stevnsgade Basketball |
Source: Eurobasket.com, Basketligaen.dk Archived 2017-10-04 at the Wayback Machine

## All-time leaders

Last updated June 1, 2018.
| | Player | Player | Team |
| Points | Chris Marius Nielsen | 6,385 | 17 seasons (Still active). Randers Cimbria (2002–2010, 2012–), Bakken Bears (2010–2013) |
| Rebounds | Bonell Colas | 2,600 | 10 seasons. Randers Cimbria (2007–2009, 2012–2017), Hørsholm 79ers (2011–2012), Værløse Basket (2010–2011) |
| Assists | Frederik Hougaard Nielsen | 1,478 | 12 seasons (Still active). Hørsholm 79ers (2005–2011, 2013–), Bakken Bears (2011–2013) |
| Steals | Chris Marius Nielsen | 560 | 17 seasons (Still active). Randers Cimbria (2002–2010, 2012–), Bakken Bears (2010–2013) |
| Blocks | Chris Christoffersen | 550 | 13 seasons (Still active). Bakken Bears (2004–) |
| 2-points made | Bonell Colas | 1,620 | 10 seasons. Randers Cimbria (2007–2009, 2012–2017), Hørsholm 79ers (2011–2012), Værløse Basket (2010–2011) |
| 3-points made | Chris Marius Nielsen | 828 | 17 seasons (Still active). Randers Cimbria (2002–2010, 2012–), Bakken Bears (2010–2013) |
| Free throws made | Chris Marius Nielsen | 1,609 | 17 seasons (Still active). Randers Cimbria (2002–2010, 2012–), Bakken Bears (2010–2013) |
| Turnovers | Chris Marius Nielsen | 1,083 | 17 seasons (Still active). Randers Cimbria (2002–2010, 2012–), Bakken Bears (2010–2013) |
| Minutes played | Chris Marius Nielsen | 12,422 | 17 seasons (Still active). Randers Cimbria (2002–2010, 2012–), Bakken Bears (2010–2013) |
| Games played | Chris Marius Nielsen | 417 | 17 seasons (Still active). Randers Cimbria (2002–2010, 2012–), Bakken Bears (2010–2013) |
Stats since 2002.

## Single game records

Last updated June 1, 2018.
| | Player | Player | Team | Date | Game | Game | Game | Game |
| Points | Brandon Omar Thomas | 49 | Team FOG Næstved | 01/23-2008 | Team FOG Næstved | vs | Åbyhøj BK | 104:92 |
| Rebounds | Durell Vinson | 28 | Falcon Basketball | 11/30-2013 | Falcon Basketball | vs | Hørsholm 79ers | 83:86 |
| Assists | Arnar Jónsson | 16 | BC Aarhus | 09/22-2012 | BC Aarhus | vs | Aalborg Vikings | 97:90 |
| Steals | Wayne Johnell Copeland | 12 | Horsens IC | 03/14-2004 | Horsens IC | vs | Åbyhøj BK | 97:52 |
| Blocks | Nicholas Billings | 10 | Hørsholm 79ers | 02/23-2008 | Svendborg Rabbits | vs | Hørsholm 79ers | 89:77 |
| Blocks | Mikkel Langager Larsen | 10 | Horsens IC | 03/17-2004 | Åbyhøj BK | vs | Horsens IC | 72:88 |
| 2-points made | Jason Siggers | 18 | Bakken Bears | 12/13-2007 | Åbyhøj BK | vs | Bakken Bears | 73:92 |
| 3-points made | Jeff Schiffner | 10 | Bakken Bears | 04/26-2005 | SISU | vs | Bakken Bears | 84:105 |
| 3-points made | Damian Jimenez Ocana | 10 | Svendborg Rabbits | 03/07-2016 | Svendborg Rabbits | vs | Randers Cimbria | 114:62 |
| Free throws made | Gregory William Lacasse | 20 | Horsens IC | 12/09-2006 | Team FOG Næstved | vs | Horsens IC | 91:77 |
| Free throws made | Alan Madsen | 20 | Åbyhøj BK | 12/20-2003 | Åbyhøj BK | vs | Randers Cimbria | 114:101 |
| Turnovers | Austin McKellar | 13 | Hørsholm 79ers | 11/30-2002 | Randers Cimbria | vs | Hørsholm 79ers | 79:83 |
Stats since 2002.