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Tag: Rivers Hoopers

Basketball: Rivers Hoopers End 2025 Final Eight Playoffs with Comfortable Win Over Falcons

Wale busari06 mins

Kelvin Amayo dropped seventeen (17) points to lead Rivers Hoopers to an 83-69 victory over Kwara Falcons, as the defending champions wrapped up their 2025 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Final Eight Playoffs in comfortable fashion. Amayo, who missed Rivers Hoopers’ loss to Lagos Legends due to fitness concerns, put up a commanding performance against Kwara Falcons which included a game-high five (5) assists as well as five (5) rebounds. With a record of six losses from six games at the Final Eight Playoffs and having already suffered three straight defeats to Rivers Hoopers during the Group and Inter-Group Phases, 2022 champions Kwara Falcons entered the game with nothing but pride to play for and started brightly to take the first quarter 16-19. But once Mustapha Oyebanji shot from a distance to tie the game upon resumption for the second quarter, and Peter Olisemeka made a three-point play, scoring a layup and a foul, the KingsMen took total control of the game until full-time. The reigning champions carried an eleven-point lead into the half-time break (45-34), then Kwara Falcons reduced the margin to seven points at the end of the third quarter (63-56), before the hosts eventually wrapped up the game fourteen points better than their opponents (83-69). Aside from Amayo, three other KingsMen also notched double digits for points, as Oyebanji dropped fourteen (14) points, which included four (4) three-pointers; Malik Miller scored thirteen (13) along with seven (7) rebounds; and Buchi Nwaiwu put up ten points as well as six (6) rebounds. The Rivers Hoopers bench chipped in with forty-three (43) points in a performance which was pleasing for Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu. “We’re happy we made the Final Four; that was our target right from the beginning, and we’ve done that. [But] it’s not over yet; we are going to take a couple of days off, get some rest, and then come back and try to fix all the things we didn’t quite do well on this Final Eight,” he said. Through the Final Eight, the KingsMen displayed the best offensive efficiency, but the seasoned gaffer thinks his team has work to do on the defensive end. “Well, we’ve been talking about it a lot. I emphasise every day about rebounds and what we need to do. We have to make stops, we have to box out, and we have to play help defense. As a unit we have to play better defense, and that’s mostly what we’re going to be working on. We have two to three weeks between now and the Final Four, so we’re going to make sure that before jump ball we’ll be fine,” he insisted. The Final Four, which will crown Nigeria’s basketball kings for 2025, will see Rivers Hoopers attempt to successfully defend their title for the second year running against the likes of Lagos Legends, Gboko City Chiefs, and Nigeria Customs. Looking ahead to the Final Four, 2024 NPBL Finals Most Valuable Player Kelvin Amayo promised a better showing. “I came [into the team] the day before the Final Eight, so we had a plan to get me going little by little. Every single day I feel like I was getting better and in better shape, and today I feel like I was good and pushed myself even more. Now there’s two weeks, and you’ll see a bigger show in the Final Four,” said Amayo. The 2025 NPBL Final Four is slated to hold between 20-24 November, 2025. Games will be played in a round robin format, with all teams playing once against the other three teams.

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Basketball: KingsMen Overcome Spartans to Seal Final Four Spot

Fola Badmus07 mins

Isaiah Williams scored nineteen (19) points, including five (5) out of seven threes, as reigning champions Rivers Hoopers put their narrow loss to Lagos Legends behind them by recording an 86-83 victory over Nile University Spartans on day six of the Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Eight Playoffs on Saturday night. Following defeat to Lagos Legends in overtime on Friday, Peter Olisemeka said the KingsMen would look to regroup and come back stronger, and the team put up a composed performance to see off a tenacious Nile University team. The game opened with explosive shooting from range and end-to-end action as both teams looked to rebound from their respective losses on day five of the Final Eight Playoffs (Nile lost to Gboko City Chiefs on day five) and produced the highest-scoring quarter at the 2025 NPBL Final Eight Playoffs as Nile University took a slim 29-28 lead at the end of the first quarter. Rivers Hoopers took control of proceedings in the second quarter, with Isaiah Williams particularly instrumental as he scored ten of his team-leading nineteen points to ensure the hosts went into the break with a seven-point advantage at 49-42. Despite a late push from the Spartans, the KingsMen took full charge of the game and never trailed again and protected their lead to earn a fifth win from six games at the Final Eight Playoffs and returned to the top of the standings. Rivers Hoopers Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu was pleased with his team’s execution of their game plan. “Yes! I am very pleased because in the previous games we lost leads like that. But today they (the players) were very composed, and we were doing the things that we were supposed to do. We knew when to slow the ball down, we knew when to push it, and you could see that they were making many extra passes today. So, it is something I’m really pleased with, and I hope we’re going to continue playing like this and close out games strongly.” Olisemeka chipped in with nine (9) points and six (6) rebounds; Mustapha Oyebanji and Kelvin Amayo also had nine (9) points each, while John Idoga put up ten (10) points, and Buchi Nwaiwu contributed eight (8) points along with twelve (12) rebounds and five (5) steals. Nwaiwu and Idoga also shot one hundred per cent from the free throw line. Having come through tough battles against lesser fancied sides, Odaudu also acknowledged the growing level of competition in the NPBL. “We’re happy with the win, but like I’ve always said and will keep saying, the level of basketball [in Nigeria] has gone up. All the teams have risen up. There’s no such thing as coming to blow out any other team again. It’s not a situation where you can predict anything. All the teams are equal to the task, and on any day that you do not step up, you’re going to get surprised. The Rivers Hoopers bench contributed thirty-two (32) points during the KingsMen’s victory over Nile University Spartans, and with qualification for the Final Four secured, Odaudu said he expects to see them feature prominently in the team’s final game at the Playoffs. “We’re going to see a lot of them tomorrow. We’re not taking anything away from Kwara Falcons; we’ve played and beaten them a couple of times. But this time around we’re still going to make sure that we finish strong. But of course the people on the bench are going to get some minutes tomorrow, so we’re going to see a different mix of people on the court.” Up next, Rivers Hoopers will play against Kwara Falcons (the only team yet to win a game at this year’s Playoffs) by 5pm on Sunday, 2nd November, 2025. Day 7 – Sunday, 2nd November 11:00am: Hoops & Read vs Gboko City Chiefs 1:00pm: Nigeria Customs vs Kano Pillars 3:00pm: Nile University vs Lagos Legends 5:00pm: Rivers Hoopers vs Kwara Falcons All games will be played at the Basketball Stadium, #59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

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Olisemeka Rejoins Rivers Hoopers for 2025 NPBL Playoffs

Fola Badmus02 mins

Towering Center, Peter Olisemeka has rejoined the reigning Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) champions, Rivers Hoopers, for the 2025 NPBL Final Eight Playoffs. Olisemeka is no stranger to Nigerian Basketball having helped the KingsMen win the 2024 NPBL title, and also featuring for the Nigerian champions at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in 2024 and 2025. One of his biggest highlights for the KingsMen came at the 2024 BAL, when Olisemeka helped Rivers Hoopers become the first Nigerian club to reach the BAL semi-finals, notching an inspiring eighteen points and twelve rebounds in the pivotal quarter­final victory over Tunisia’s US Monastir (92-88). The six feet nine inch Center who strikes a commanding figure, once again proved his perimeter dominance, by marking his return to the team with a game high twelve rebounds as the KingsMen thrashed Hoops & Read 73-50 during a matchday one of the 2025 NPBL Playoffs, on Monday, 27th October, 2025. Before joining the KingsMen in 2024, Olisemeka had spells across European leagues such as Romania (RM Vâlcea), the Netherlands (ZZ Leiden), Bulgaria, and Poland. At 33-years-old, Olisemeka’s presence and wealth of experience from playing top level basketball across Europe and Africa could prove vital as the KingsMen chase a third straight league crown.  

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Rivers Hoopers Add Kelvin Amayo To Their Playoff Roster

Fola Badmus01 mins

The reigning Nigerian basketball league champions, Rivers Hoopers, have secured the services of Kelvin Amayo for the 2025 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Playoffs ongoing in Port Harcourt. Amayo was instrumental in Rivers Hoopers’ third-place finish in last year’s Basketball Africa League (BAL), averaging 16 points, 6.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. His impressive performance earned him spots on the All-BAL Second Team and the BAL All-Defensive Second Team in 2024. He also led the KingsMen to victory in the 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Eight securing their place in the BAL. The guard was named most valuable player of the playoffs and made the best five of the tournament. The team has remained unbeaten throughout the 2025 NPBL season so far, and Amayo’s experience and skill will be invaluable as they navigate the playoffs.

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Rivers Hoopers Halt Kano Pillars to Stay on Track at 2025 NPBL Playoffs

Fola Badmus07 mins

Rivers Hoopers weathered an early surge from Kano Pillars to earn a nerve-racking 69-57 victory on day two of the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Final Eight Playoffs to keep their chase for a third straight league title on track. Having enjoyed an explosive start during their 73-50 victory over Hoops & Read on day one, the KingsMen found themselves in unfamiliar territory as Kano Pillars flipped the script to race into a 10-3 lead inside the opening five minutes of the game. Rivers Hoopers Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu was unimpressed with his side’s slow start and quickly rang changes, replacing his starting five with fresh hands from the bench to breathe some much-needed energy into the game. That proved to be a masterstroke as the KingsMen took the fight to Kano Pillars to reduce what was at one moment an eleven-point deficit (14-3) to a three-point gap as the first quarter ended 15-12. The hosts maintained the energy as the game swung back and forth in the second quarter and took the lead for the first time when Peter Olisemeka slammed a dunk with just over five minutes until halftime. Pillars attempted to regain control of the game, but Rivers Hoopers maintained their lead at 32-29 at the half. The KingsMen returned from the break with the same energy and produced a series of brilliant plays, much to the delight of the Port Harcourt crowd, which cheered for every bucket, as the lead stretched to five points at 49-44. The defending champions finished strong by scoring twenty points in the fourth quarter while allowing their opponents thirteen, as the final score was 69-57. It was a game which was both electrifying and full of intensity and enjoyed by not only the spectators but also Odaudu. “I extremely enjoyed the game. [It was] very, very interesting. You’ll think it’s just the spectators who enjoy the game. Of course I enjoyed the back-and-forth, to see what the other coach comes up with, and to think of how to go against it and all that. It was really exciting for us. I really enjoyed the game. [And] I think it was one of the best games so far in the Final Eight,” he admitted. Victor Sunday (nicknamed Tilo) scored a game-high seventeen points, as Peter Olisemeka recorded a near triple double with nine points as well as thirteen rebounds, and John Idoga scored nine points along with seven rebounds. Despite the win, which was their second straight victory at this year’s Final Eight Playoffs, Odaudu was concerned by his team’s slow start to the game. “I think the players were just laid back, [and it is] something that I have to work on. They have this feeling that [because] we are playing at home, we are going to run over everybody, and actually that is not the case. So, it’s something that we’re going to keep hammering at them, and hoping that they pick up before we get to the finals,” he stressed. The 2024 Basketball Africa League Coach of the Year, however, showered some praise on his players for upping their game and taking control of the match. “With the amount of threes that we shot yesterday, I knew we were going to be in trouble because it’s difficult to come back and shoot the same amount of threes back-to-back, playing the same way. But luckily for us, players like Tilo stepped up, Favour [Komene] came up with aggressive defense, and we took the day. We’re still not at our best yet, but we’ll get better day by day.” Up next for Rivers Hoopers is a date with Nigeria Customs by 5pm on Wednesday, 29th October, 2025. Day 3 – Wednesday, 29th October 11:00am: Kwara Falcons vs Hoops & Read 1:00pm: Lagos Legends vs Gboko City Chiefs 3:00pm: Nile University vs Kano Pillars 5:00pm: Rivers Hoopers vs Nigeria Customs All games will be played at the Basketball Stadium, #59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

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KingsMen Begin 2025 NBPL Playoffs With Statement Win Over Hoops and Read

Fola Badmus05 mins

Reigning champions Rivers Hoopers launched their 2025 Nigeria Basketball Premier League Final Eight Playoffs campaign with a commanding 73-50 victory over Hoops & Read, thanks to an explosive first-quarter performance which helped the KingsMen lead from start to finish. The defending champions started hot, opening up a 12-0 lead inside the first four minutes, thanks to four consecutive shots from deep courtesy of Mustapha Oyebanji and Isaiah Williams. That twelve-point lead grew to eighteen at the end of the first quarter as the score stood at 29-11. Speaking after the game, Rivers Hoopers Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu said his team’s strong start was crucial in determining the outcome of the game. “We started off really strong, and I think that determined the direction that the game was going to go. Even though the guys took their foot off the pedal at some point in the game and almost let the opponents come back. It’s something I’m going to have to address going forward.” Hoops & Read tried to find a way back into the game but could only reduce the deficit by two points at halftime, as the hosts took a 41-25 lead into the break. Both teams seemed to have gone cold following the break, as they could only manage ten points apiece in a combative third quarter, before the KingsMen wrapped up the win with an improved fourth-quarter showing. Despite the twenty-three-point demolition of their opponents, for coach Odaudu, picking up a vital win to start the playoffs was what really mattered. “For us, it doesn’t matter the number of points we win by; just a win is good for us. We’ll take a one-point lead; we’ll take a half-point lead; a win is a win. “We’re happy with how it ended,” he emphasised. Overall, it was an all-round team performance from the defending champions, as ten out of the eleven KingsMen who made the matchday roster scored points, with thirty-five (35) points coming from the bench. Captain Victor Anthony Koko alongside Oyebanji led the KingsMen with eleven (11) points apiece, while the energetic Victor Sunday dropped ten (10) points along with five rebounds and five steals. Isaiah Williams scored nine (9) points on his Rivers Hoopers debut, as Peter Olisemeka recorded a game-high twelve (12) rebounds. Kelvin Amayo, who was named the Most Valuable Player at the 2024 NBPL Finals, scored nine (9) points on his return to basketball in Nigeria and relished the support of the Port Harcourt crowd, which cheered on the team to victory. “To be honest, playing in PH (Port Harcourt) is always the best to me. The fans always do a great job; they love watching us play. I’m just happy to be here and be able to showcase what we’ve been working [on] throughout the season and off-season, to come here and give them a show,” he revealed. Rivers Hoopers will next be in action by 5pm on Tuesday, 28th October, 2025, as they take on Kano Pillars in a matchday two encounter. Day 2 – Tuesday, 28th October 11:00am: Kwara Falcons vs Lagos Legends 1:00pm: Nigeria Customs vs Gboko City Chiefs 3:00pm: Nile University vs Hoops & Read 5:00pm: Kano Pillars vs Rivers Hoopers All games will be played at the Basketball Stadium, #59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

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Rivers Hoopers Show Character to Outclass Lagos Legends

Fola Badmus06 mins

Reigning Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) champions Rivers Hoopers put up a performance underlined by resilience and character, as they overturned a 4-point deficit at halftime to beat Lagos Legends 89-70 in the final game of the Atlantic Conference Phase Two. In what was essentially a battle for pride and supremacy, it was Lagos Legends who scored the game’s first points as they opened up an early lead that stretched to nine points at 26-17 by the end of the first quarter, which was characterised by near misses for the KingsMen. The KingsMen improved in their shot accuracy during the second quarter, as vice-captain Buchi Nwaiwu and Victor Sunday combined for fourteen points to cut the deficit to four points with the halftime score at 47-43. The halftime break offered Rivers Hoopers Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu the opportunity to make tactical tweaks, reinforcing how the team contained their opponents. “The first thing that I spoke about in the huddle today was transition defense, the need to get back on time quickly. We didn’t do that well. When we corrected it later on, the game changed [in our favour], but in the first half they killed us on the transition offense. “It’s something that we’re definitely going to work on going forward,” he revealed. The KingsMen responded positively to Odaudu’s halftime instructions and, buoyed by the vociferous crowd, came out with much verve in the third. Samuel Sani showed outstanding industry, scoring big points along with vital rebounds. But it was John Idoga who got the crowd rocking with a game-tying shot from deep to level the score at 61-61, before Abdul Malik sent the arena into a frenzy with the last sequence of the third quarter, sinking one free throw followed by a brilliant layup to hand the hosts the lead for the first time with the score at 64-61. From that moment on, it was one-way traffic as Malik’s energy inspired the team to an outstanding performance in the fourth quarter, during which they restricted their opponents to just nine (9) points while scoring twenty-five (25) to close out the game at 89-70. Speaking after the game, Odaudu could not hide his admiration for his standout performers. “I am very proud of both of them, Malik and especially Favour [Komene]. They changed the tempo and the dynamic of the game. They are my two MVPs for today’s game. These are people who hadn’t seen major minutes in all the games, but they stepped up when it mattered most and helped us out. He further said such mentality shown by Malik and Favour is what makes Rivers Hoopers formidable. “That’s how it’s supposed to be. There’s no specific day, and there’s no particular person who is a hero on this team. Anybody can wake up any day and bail us out, and that’s what Milk did today,” he pointed out. Buchi Nwaiwu alongside John Idoga, top-scored for the KingsMen with fifteen points, while Sani (14) and Victor Sunday (12) also hit double figures. The result meant Rivers Hoopers completed Phase Two of the Atlantic Conference with a perfect record, much to the delight of the team’s gaffer, who also pointed out some areas for improvement. “I’m happy that it was a clean sweep, but I’m also not happy with the way we played. It wasn’t entirely convincing. I don’t think the scoreline reflected the true situation of the game. We started off really badly with too many mistakes; we missed too many open baskets, so it’s something that we have to go back to the drawing board and work on. In all, I’m happy that we won, and we’ll move on from there.” Attention now shifts to Phase Three of the NBPL 2025 season which will see the top four teams from both Conferences gather for the Playoffs at a yet to be named venue.

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Rivers Hoopers Remain Unstoppable Despite Shaky Start in 16-Point Win Over Comets

Fola Badmus04 mins

Rivers Hoopers showed grit and composure to defeat Ebun Comets 65-49 and take a third win from as many games at the ongoing Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) Phase Two.   After a slow start, the defending champions picked up the pace to lead by five points at the end of the first quarter with the score at 19-14. However, the second quarter was one to forget, as the KingsMen could only manage nine (9) points (their lowest tally for an entire quarter), and Comets scored double the points with eighteen (18). This meant the hosts would trail at halftime for the first time this season, as the score was 32-28 in favour of Comets. Speaking during his post-game interview, Rivers Hoopers Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu admitted to his team’s slow start. “I think we started badly. I noticed before jumpball [that] the body attitude was not convincing; there was no energy at all. Everything was flat. That was why we struggled, and that’s something I have to work on.” The KingsMen returned from the halftime break eager to prove a point and quickly regained the lead, with vice captain Buchi Nwaiwu firing from deep for a three-point lead which the defending champions maintained as the score stood at 46-43 entering the fourth. Rivers Hoopers closed out the game with a nearly flawless performance in the fourth, which pleased Odaudu, as they notched up nineteen (19) points while limiting Comets to a meagre six (6) points the entire quarter to wrap up the encounter 65-49. “Basketball is about stopping your opponent from scoring, not how many baskets you make.” I emphasised a lot about the defence, and they came, and they did it perfectly,” he said. Up next for the KingsMen is a date with Lagos Legends, who are also unbeaten through the Phase Two games played so far, and with both teams already assured of their spots in the Playoffs Phase of the league (last eight), Odaudu said it will be a clash of egos, but one which he will treat like any other game. “It will be treated just like any other game.” We’re going to do the same thing we always do, nothing different. It’s going to be a very intense game tomorrow because nobody wants to be beaten. It’s an ego battle right now, [and] we don’t want to disappoint our fans here at home. So we’re going to come all out and hopefully take the win,” he stated.  

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