Rivers Hoopers have retired the No. 15 jersey of Victor Anthony Koko after the Nigerian centre/power forward announced his retirement from professional basketball. The 6ft 9in forward, born in Port Harcourt, began his association with the club in 2009 and won seven of his eight Nigerian Premier League titles with the KingsMen, in 2011, 2012, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2026. His first came with Mark Mentors in 2015.
Koko was named NPBL Final MVP in 2021 after recording 14 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks against Gombe Bulls to secure the championship. On the continent, he captained Rivers Hoopers during multiple Basketball Africa League campaigns and was part of the side that completed a 13-0 unbeaten run in 2023. In 2024, the Nigerian side won the Sahara Conference and beat Cape Town Tigers 80-57 in the third-place game to claim the BAL bronze medal.
Internationally, Koko represented Nigeria at the 2019 FIBA AfroCan, the 2021 AfroBasket and the 2019 FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup. He also won the Crown Elite Championship in 2022 and the Louis Edem Invitational in 2023.
Rivers Hoopers said the No. 15 jersey will no longer be assigned to another player and will be preserved as part of the club's history, recognising a career that spanned more than a decade.
