Four home-based players who won their first Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) titles with Rivers Hoopers have described the club's seventh championship as a career milestone. Eric Okechukwu, Chinedu Nwaogu, Tom Aroko and John Idoga were part of the squad that lifted the trophy two weeks ago and earned a return to the Basketball Africa League.
The quartet contributed to the team's qualifying run through Phase One in Ibadan and Phase Two in Enugu, and to its playoff and Finals campaign. Okechukwu and Aroko, who missed the playoffs roster, supported the team from the sidelines. Idoga played in defence and scored in the paint, while Nwaogu, nicknamed "Sniper" for his long-range shooting, provided scoring off the bench.
"Winning the 2026 NPBL title was one of my main goals for the year, and to achieve it with Rivers Hoopers means a lot," Okechukwu said. "I've played in this league for several years, preparing for a moment like this." He added that the chance to represent Nigeria at the BAL makes the victory more special.
Aroko, who joined from Kwara Falcons this season, said the title was about more than the trophy. Nwaogu said the win eased the pain of last season's championship loss, while Idoga credited the collective effort of local and foreign players in the squad.
