Sport Basketball No. of teams 12 Continent FIBA Europe (Europe) Number of teams 12 Levels on pyramid 1 Relegation to Prva B Liga | CEO Milo Đukanović Country Montenegro Most recent
champion(s) Budućnost Founded 2006 TV partner RTCG | |
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Domestic cup Montenegrin Basketball Cup Teams KK Budućnost, KK Mornar Bar, KK Lovćen, KK Sutjeska, KK Teodo Tivat | ||
The First Erste League is the national professional basketball league in Montenegro. It is the top basketball division of the Basketball Association of Montenegro (Košarkaški savez Crne Gore - KSCG). It was established in 2006. shortly after Montenegro declared its independence from Serbia and Montenegro. The league is sponsored by Erste Bank.
Two clubs from Montenegrin Basketball League are playing in ABA League.
Contents
Before independence
During their history, many Montenegrin basketball clubs played in the top-tier competition of SFR Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro. Among them are KK Budućnost, KK Lovćen, KK Sutjeska, KK Mornar, KK Primorka and KK Berane.
Most successful was KK Budućnost. In the 80's, club played very important role in Yugoslav First Basketball League. But, time of notable successes for Budućnost comes at the end of 90's in YUBA League. With three champion titles, Budućnost became the strongest side in Yugoslav basketball, and once played in Euroleague quarterfinals.
At the start of new century, Budućnost started to play in ABA League, where they play important role until today. Other Montenegrin sides which played in ABA League are KK Lovćen, KK Sutjeska and KK Mornar.
Below is the list of Montenegrin clubs' champion titles in the First League of Yugoslavia.
After independence
Soon after the Montenegrin independence referendum, Basketball Federation of Montenegro founded its own competitions, with the First League as a top-tier competition. During the all history, KK Budućnost was strongly dominant side, won every single trophy of national champion.
Every season have two parts. During the first part, 8 to 10 clubs are playing league, without teams who are playing in ABA League. In second part, best-placed teams from the league and Montenegrin clubs from ABA League are competing in playoffs. Final series of playoffs is lasting until three wins of one opponent.
Champions
Only one club won all the champion titles in Montenegrin Basketball League, since its inaugural season.
Montenegrin League
Below is a list of clubs with titles won in Montenegrin Basketball League.
Overall
Below is an overall list, with titles won in both leagues - Montenegrin Basketball League and FR Yugoslavia / Serbia and Montenegro Championship.
Montenegrin basketball clubs in ABA League
Clubs from Montenegrin League are permanent participants of ABA League, one of strongest team competitions in Europe. In 2001, one of founders was Montenegrin side Budućnost, which is among most successful members of competition. Except Budućnost, in ABA League played three other clubs from Montenegro - Lovćen, Sutjeska and Mornar.
KK Budućnost played four times in the semifinal of ABA League playoffs, which is the most significant success of Montenegrin clubs in that competition until now.
Below is list of participation of Montenegrin clubs by every season of ABA League.
Montenegrin basketball clubs in European competitions
Clubs from Montenegro have been playing in European basketball competitions since the 1980s. Until 2006, they represented SFR Yugoslavia and FR Yugoslavia. Almost all European seasons by Montenegrin clubs are played by KK Budućnost. Exception is only one participation of KK Lovćen in Europe.
The most successful period was the end of the 1990s and beginning of new century. At that time, KK Budućnost played in the finish phases of EuroLeague. In that period, Budućnost often played games against greatest European basketball teams like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, CSKA Moscow, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Maccabi Tel Aviv.
During the overall history, two different Montenegrin clubs played in FIBA/ULEB competitions. KK Budućnost played in every competition (Euroleague, Eurocup/ULEB Cup, Saporta Cup/FIBA EuroCup, FIBA Korać Cup), while KK Lovćen played one season in FIBA Korać Cup.
As of the end of FIBA/ULEB competitions 2015–16 season.