The Benin Basketball Super League (French: Super Ligue de Basket-ball du Bénin[1]), for sponsorships known as the YouZou Ligue Pro, is the highest level basketball league in Benin. The competition is organised annually by the Fédération Beninoise de Basket-ball (FBBB).
 | |
| Organising body | FBBB |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 |
| First season | 2020–21 |
| Country |  Benin |
| Confederation | FIBA Africa |
| Number of teams | 8 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| International cup(s) | Road to BAL |
| Current champions | Elan Coton (3rd title) (2023–24) |
| Most championships | Elan Coton (3 titles) |
| Website | Link |
The champions of each season qualify for the Road to BAL.
History
editIn 2020 the league became professional as the Benisese government under President Patrice Talon passed a law that required all sports clubs to be operated as companies.[2] The move also allowed foreign players to compete in the league.[3]
Three years later, in May 2023, the league received a substantial subsidy from the Beninese government to further develop the sport in the country. The association received $323,000 (100m CFA franc) which was divided over the league and its nine teams.[4]
For the 2023–24 season, the Super League expanded from 8 to 12 teams, divided in two conferences.[5]
Current teams
editAs of the 2023–24 season, the Super League consisted out of the following teams:[6][5]
Conference South
- Energie BBC
- Elan Coton
- Renaissance
- ASPAC
- AOL
- Avrankou Omnisports
Conference North
- ASPAL BBC
- Loungou
- Bosco Star
- US Guema
- Panthere BBC
- Real Sport
Champions
edit| Season | Champions | Runners-up | Finals score |
Third place | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | ASPAC | ASPAL | Elan Sportif | [3] | |
| 2021–22 | Elan Coton | ASPAL | 64–59 | [7] | |
| 2022–23 | Elan Coton (2) | ASPAC | 77–73 | Renaissance BBC | [8] |
| 2023–24 | Elan Coton (3) | Energie | 64–60 | ASPAL | [9] |
References
edit- ^ "Super Ligue de Basket-ball du Bénin: Elan invaincu, le match Real Sport # Aspal reprogrammé". La Nation Bénin. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Basketball to become professional in Benin". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Ligue Pro : ASPAC BBC, double champion du Bénin". Méga Sports (in French). 14 September 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Benin Basketball Federation, Clubs get remarkable Government subsidy". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ a b "YOUZOU LIGUE PRO MASCULINE - FEDERATION BENINOISE DE BASKETBALL". FEDERATION BENINOISE DE BASKETBALL (in French). Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Basket-ball : Le calendrier de la Super Ligue officialisé". BeninSports (in French). 28 January 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Elan Coton crowned champions of the Benin Professional Basketball League". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ "Basket YouZou Ligue Pro 2022-2023 : Double sacre de Élan Coton, Renaissance Bbc, médaillé de bronze". LE MATINAL (in French). 27 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "YOUZOU LIGUE PRO MASCULINE - FEDERATION BENINOISE DE BASKETBALL". FEDERATION BENINOISE DE BASKETBALL (in French). Retrieved 3 August 2024.