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Tag: Rivers Hoopers

BAL: Rivers Hoopers Hit Lagos to Intensify Preparation

Our Reporters02 mins

Rivers Hoopers are in Lagos to continue their preparation for the fifth season of the Basketball Africa League. Hoopers will utilize the upcoming days by playing some friendly games. The team will depart Lagos for Rabat on Wednesday, 2 April. Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Sports, Kelvin Nweke, hosted the team for lunch just before their departure to Lagos on Sunday. Nweke reassured the team that they would receive continuous support from the Rivers State Government. He encouraged the team to surpass their third place finish in last season’s BAL. “On behalf of the ministry and the state government. We are promising you the best of support. “We are expecting you to go a step forward from last year’s result. Success is not easy. It is easy to get to the top but staying at the top is more difficult.” Rivers Hoopers will open their campaign this season against Stade Malien on Saturday, 5 April at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex Rabat, Morocco.

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Congo DR Maxi Munanga Shamba joins Rivers Hoopers

Our Reporters02 mins

Rivers Hoopers have completed the signing of Congo DR national team captain Maxi Munanga Shamba ahead of season five of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) which tips off on 5 April in Rabat, Morocco. Since the 2017 Afrobasket tournament in Rwanda, Shamba has been a crucial member of the Congolese national team. The 31 year old point guard also featured in the former club competition for men (FIBA Africa Champions Cup) before it transitioned to the BAL, for Lupopo (DR Congo), Zamalek (Egypt) and Association Sportive de Sale (Morocco) in 2009, 2013 and 2017 respectively. Shamba, who currently plays in France, averaged 12.7 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, and 6.7 assists per game at the 2021 Afrobasket. Shamba guided DR Congo to a remarkable 65-55 victory over Morocco during the 2025 Afrobasket Qualifiers in February. In 20 minutes, he managed to score 15 points and hit 4-of-6 shots from beyond the arc. The new Rivers Hoopers signees can be seen below Maxi Munanga Shamba – Point Guard (Congo DR)Kelvin Amayo – Combo Guard (Nigeria/Canada)Madut Akec – Small Forward (South Sudan)Raphiael Putney – Power Forward (USA)Peter Olisemeka – Center (Nigeria)

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Basketball: Rivers Hoopers emerge victorious over Energie

Our Reporters02 mins

Rivers Hoopers survived a late scare to beat Energie of Benin Republic 64-59 in their last Group B game of the Louis Edem Invitational Basketball Championship in Lagos. Buchi Nwaiwu scored 12 points while Samuel Sani added 10 points for the KingsMen. Hoopers scored five 3s and shot 12-of-14 from the free throw line, which was pivotal to their win. The KingsMen, who held an 18-point lead at the end of the third quarter, struggled at both ends of the floor in the fourth. Energie outscored the Nigerian champions 28-15 in the last quarter. The Beninese team knocked down four-threes in the last three minutes of the game. For a second consecutive game, Michael Daramola came through for the KingsMen as he scored back-to-back points (4) to stretch the lead to 11 (62-51) with 1:44 left. An 8-2 run by Energie in the last few seconds reduced the deficit to 5 points. Rivers Hoopers finished with a 4-0 in the group stage while Energie finished with a 2-2 mark. Rivers Hoopers will play Spintex Knights in a repeat of last year’s semifinals while ASPAC will face Police Batons on Friday. The Ghanaian team defeated Hoopers in the last edition.

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Basketball: Rivers Hoopers stay unbeaten with victory over Ebun Comets

Our Reporters01 mins

Nigerian champions, Rivers Hoopers made it back-to-back wins in the ongoing Louis Edem Invitational Basketball Championship after a 70-48 victory over Ebun Comets on Tuesday. The KingsMen, who were on standby 24 hours earlier, struggled on the offensive end at the start of the first quarter. Buchi Nwaiwu contributed 8 points to give Hoopers a 2-point lead going to the break (34-32). Midway through the third quarter, Hoopers had built a double-digit lead, which was further stretched to 12 points with 4 minutes remaining. Two late three-pointers by Abel Offia and Toye Duro-Ladipo in the fourth extended the gap to 22 points. Rivers Hoopers will play against Police Batons in their next game on Wednesday.

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Rivers Hoopers defeat Hoops and Read

Our Reporters02 mins

Nigeria Premier Basketball League champions Rivers Hoopers started their campaign at the 2025 Louis Edem Invitational Basketball Championship with a 72-54 win over Hoops and Read on Sunday. It was the third win for Hoopers over the Olumide Oyedeji-led team within the last three months. The KingsMen won the NPBL Atlantic Conference fixture on November 2 and followed it up with a commanding victory in the Final of the Final 8 tournament two weeks later. Hoopers who were without their head coach, Ogoh Odaudu, shook off a slow start in the first quarter to lead by 10 points (31-21) midway through the second quarter. Hoops and Read crawled their way back into the game with successive dunks, which took the game to a tie at 44-44 in the third quarter. They, however, struggled at both ends in the fourth, handing over the victory to a resilient Hoopers. The KingsMen will next play Comets on Tuesday.

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Rivers Hoopers through to 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final

Our Reporters03 mins

Defending champions Rivers Hoopers have secured a spot in the Final of the Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Final Eight after edging Gboko City Chiefs 79-73 in a hard-fought semi final showdown on Sunday. Kelvin Amayo led the charge with 22 points, while Okiki Michael and Buchi Vincent Nwaiwu chipped in with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Nwaiwu made it a double-double with 12 rebounds while adding 2 assists and one three pointer midway through the third quarter. Rivers Hoopers continue to dominate the league, boasting the best offensive and defensive record. Their stifling defense was on full display, as they recorded an impressive 11 steals and 5 blocks. The game was marred by controversy as Gboko City Chiefs repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with refereeing decisions, prompting a 30-minute delay. The contest eventually resumed 6 minutes into the third quarter.  Timothy Kwaor who finished with a game high 24 points for City Chiefs shot 6/11 from deep. Kwaor made three straight threes at the start of the fourth quarter. He however ran into foul trouble and was made to leave the game with four minutes remaining to play. The KingsMen did more than enough to seal the victory over Gboko City Chiefs. This victory marks the KingsMen’s fourth victory in four meetings over Gboko City Chiefs, underscoring their dominance in the league. The first outing was at the Final Four in Port Harcourt last November and twice in the Chief of Defence Staff Basketball Championship in Abuja last month. Unbeaten this season (11-0), Rivers Hoopers aim to secure back-to-back Basketball Africa League (BAL) appearances when they face Hoops & Read in Monday’s final.

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