In the middle of Bergen, Sunniva Sørbye has quietly grown into one of Norway’s brightest stars. For years, she has worn the Ulriken Eagles jersey with pride, pouring her heart into the game she loves and inspiring everyone around he, not with loud declarations or flashy plays, but with a quiet strength, relentless work ethic, and an unmistakable joy for basketball. Now, as she prepares for a new chapter in Sardinia, Sunniva steps beyond her lifelong club for the very first time; with grace, courage, and a heart still rooted at home.

A game that became a life

Sunniva’s love for basketball began, as so many great things do, in the simplest of ways—just playing around with friends in primary school. “We started probably like ten players just messing around, and then we just stuck to it,” she recalls with a smile. “It got more and more serious.”

Her path wasn’t shaped by famous role models on the global stage, but by the people around her—especially her team, and most of all, her younger sister Aurora, now playing for Wake Forest in the U.S. “She is my biggest inspiration and my best friend,” Sunniva says, her voice full of pride. “She’s really, really great. And she’s doing great at Wake Forest too.”

A club called home

For Sunniva, there has only ever been one club: Ulriken Eagles. “I started in Ulriken Eagles, so I’ve been there my whole life,” she says simply. “Something you don’t see every day.”

In an era where athletes often bounce from team to team, Sunniva's loyalty to her hometown club is rare and beautiful. When asked what makes Ulriken so special, her answer is immediate and heartfelt. “The people. The players. I wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for them.”

It was at Ulriken that she made her early leap into elite basketball, stepping onto the court in Norway’s top league at just 13 years old. “It was scary,” she admits with a laugh. “I remember being terrified. I didn’t want the ball. I was like, ‘Don’t pass it to me because I’m going to do something stupid.’ But it was okay. It got easier.”

That fearless 13-year-old would go on to become one of the cornerstones of a dominant Ulriken team that’s won championships and set the standard in Norwegian basketball over the past three seasons. “We have a good training morale,” she says. “We always train our hardest, show up on time, compete with each other, and that makes us great.”

Flying higher with Norway

Beyond her club, Sunniva has been a proud and consistent representative of the Norwegian national team, from under 16 to under 20 and now with the senior squad. “We started playing for the national team when we were 13,” she explains. “Probably every year since, except for the COVID years.”

She fondly remembers her first U16 tournament. “It was very fun but also very intimidating. It was much more serious than it had been before. That second year with U16, we came in fourth place. That was probably the most fun year. We were such a great team.”

Now, she’s preparing once again to represent Norway; first in friendly games against Ireland, then in crucial European qualifiers against the Netherlands.

A new chapter in Italy

For the first time in her life, Sunniva will take a leap into the unknown. This fall, she’s moving to Sardinia, Italy; not just for her medical studies, but to explore basketball beyond Norway’s borders. “I just sent the teams in Sardinia a message,” she explains casually. “They responded and said, ‘Yeah, we’ll check it out.’ So I guess I’ll see when I get there. It feels kind of wrong,” she admits. “Because Ulriken is my home, I’ve always been there. So playing with another team is going to be weird. But at the same time, probably a good experience.”

Still, she’s not planning on leaving Ulriken behind entirely. “I’m not going to be there for the first half of the season,” she says. “But I’m coming back after Christmas.”

A life beyond the court

While Sunniva has all the talent to go far in basketball, she’s equally grounded in her dreams outside the sport. She’s currently in her third year of medical school, halfway to becoming a doctor. “If I wanted to go play somewhere else, I’d have to take a break from my studies,” she explains. “So maybe after I’m done, I could play in another country. But we’ll see. It’s not something I feel I have to do, but it would be fun.”

There’s no rush. Sunniva’s life is already full; with purpose, passion, and a deep-rooted love for the game. “I’ve always just loved the game. Just playing around. And as it got more serious, it got more fun too.”

Sunniva Sørbye isn’t the loudest voice in the gym. She doesn’t need to be. Her strength comes from something deeper: loyalty, dedication, humility, and heart. Whether she’s suiting up for Ulriken, traveling with the national team, or finding her footing in Italy, she carries with her the spirit of a player who plays not for applause, but for love. And that love shines through in everything she does.

Sunniva, you are the kind of athlete who makes the game beautiful. Norway is proud, Ulriken will always be home, and wherever you go next; the world will be lucky to watch you play.