Watching the European basketball landscape evolve over the past decade has been a fascinating journey. For years, the narrative was dominated by the traditional powerhouses: Spain, Serbia, Lithuania, and the rising force of France. But recently, a new question has started to bubble up in conversations among fans and analysts alike: can Denmark truly become a competitor on this continental stage? The rise of Danish basketball isn't about a sudden, miraculous influx of NBA superstars; it’s a quieter, more systemic build, exemplified by the emergence of players in strong European leagues and, intriguingly, a parallel growth in other sports that speaks to a shifting athletic culture. I remember a time not long ago when Denmark in a major basketball tournament seemed a distant dream. Now, it feels like a tangible goal, and the excitement is palpable.
The foundation for this rise is being laid brick by brick, often away from the glaring spotlight. While Denmark may not yet have a Dončić or Jokić-level prodigy, the pipeline is filling with legitimate professional talent. Players like Gabriel Lundberg, who earned a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns, and Shavon Shields, a consistent performer in the EuroLeague, have provided crucial proof of concept. They’ve shown young Danish athletes that a career at the highest levels of European basketball is attainable. The real magic, however, is happening beneath that top tier. The Danish league, the Basketligaen, is improving in quality, and more importantly, Danish players are securing meaningful roles in stronger competitions like the German BBL, the Spanish LEB Oro, and various Central European leagues. This diaspora of talent is gaining invaluable experience and toughness, which they bring back to the national team. It’s a classic blueprint for a rising nation: develop a core of professionals competing against high-level opposition every week.
This brings me to a fascinating parallel I can’t help but draw. The reference to a "rookie spiker Ishie Lalongisip having a career game with 20 points on 18 attacks and two service aces" – clearly a volleyball statistic – is oddly resonant. It highlights a broader Scandinavian trend in team sports. Look at the Danish men’s handball team, a perennial world power, or the recent successes in football. There’s a sporting intelligence and a collective ethos in Denmark that transcends the specific game. They produce athletes who are technically sound, tactically disciplined, and physically robust. The infrastructure for developing tall, coordinated team-sport athletes exists. The challenge for basketball has been channeling that athletic potential into our sport specifically. The fact that a young volleyball player can have a breakout performance speaks to an environment where young athletes are supported and can thrive. Basketball needs to, and seemingly is, tapping into that same ecosystem. I’m convinced the multi-sport background of many Danish athletes is a strength, not a weakness, fostering overall game sense and competitiveness.
So, can they compete in Europe? The short answer is yes, but with caveats. Competing doesn’t mean challenging for a EuroBasket medal tomorrow. It means consistently qualifying for the final tournament, which they haven’t done since 2015. It means being a tough out, a team that no traditional power wants to see in its group. The 2025 EuroBasket qualifiers will be the next major test. With a FIBA ranking hovering around the mid-30s, they are on the cusp. To make the leap, a few things need to align. First, they need one or two more players to reach the EuroLeague level to supplement Shields. Second, they must continue to improve their domestic development pathways to create depth. And third, they need a signature win – an upset of a top-15 nation in a meaningful game. I believe that win is coming. Their style of play – often characterized by hard-nosed defense, smart ball movement, and relentless effort – is perfectly suited to cause problems in a single-elimination or short-series format.
My personal view is that Denmark’s ceiling in the next five to eight years is akin to where Germany was before the Wagner brothers emerged or where Finland was before Lauri Markkanen’s explosion. They can be a solid, respected second-tier European nation that is capable of a quarterfinal run on a great year. The difference-maker will be if they can produce that one transcendent talent, a player who can be a primary offensive option against elite defenses. Until then, their progress will be incremental but real. The days of Denmark being an automatic win are over. Watching their growth has been one of the more rewarding subplots in European basketball for me. They play the right way, they’re well-coached, and their players have that unmistakable Danish grit. So, keep an eye on them. The rise is real, and Europe’s old guard would be wise to take notice. The next time you see Denmark in a qualifier, don’t be surprised if they pull off something special; the foundations are firmly in place, and the momentum is on their side.
