Rivers Hoopers captain Victor Anthony Koko has revealed how the pain of losing last season's Nigeria Premier Basketball League title drove the Kingsmen back to the summit, bringing his playing career to a close on a championship note.
Hoopers reclaimed the title with a perfect 3-0 record at the 2026 Final Four in Port Harcourt, sealing their seventh domestic crown and qualification for the 2027 Basketball Africa League. The victory over Gboko City Chiefs 88-76 secured the championship with a game to spare, before Hoopers completed the sweep with a 92-90 overtime win over Maktown Flyers, the side that had beaten them 74-72 in the previous final.
"When we came second last season, nobody celebrated us," Koko said before the Final Four. He stressed that the squad understood the championship had to be fought for, not assumed.
Shortly afterwards, Koko announced his retirement, ending a career that began with Rivers Hoopers in 2009. The 6ft 9in centre/power forward leaves as an eight-time Nigerian league champion, having added a title with Mark Mentors in 2015. His honours include a bronze medal with Hoopers at the 2024 Basketball Africa League, appearances at the 2019 FIBA AfroCan and 2021 AfroBasket, and the 2021 Final MVP award. Rivers Hoopers have retired his No. 15 jersey.
