Rivers Hoopers are back on top of Nigerian basketball and back on the continental stage. The KingsMen defeated Maktown Flyers 92-90 in overtime on Tuesday to win the Nigeria Premier Basketball League championship, earning Nigeria's lone ticket to the 2027 Basketball Africa League.
The victory completed a flawless Final Four campaign in Port Harcourt after Rivers Hoopers had already secured the title with a game to spare on Monday. Coach Ogoh Odaudu praised his side for fulfilling the objective of reclaiming the national crown. "This was exactly what we wanted to do—reclaim our rightful position, and we did that. I'm excited that we're back at the Basketball Africa League, which is the biggest stage in African club basketball," he said.
Tournament MVP Abel Offia delivered seven of his 14 points in overtime, including the decisive layup after stealing the ball at midcourt. Peter Olisemeka added a 16-point, 18-rebound double-double, while Tunisian guard Omar Abada contributed 17 points, six rebounds and six assists. Offia, Olisemeka and Abada were all named to the NPBL All-Star Five.
Maktown, who led 47-38 at halftime, were undone by a 25-16 third-quarter surge from Rivers Hoopers that set up the tense finish. In the earlier game, Aso Sky Hawks beat Gboko City Chiefs 80-75 to finish second with a 2-1 record and claim the Savannah Conference title, while Maktown Flyers were recognised as Atlantic Conference regular-season champions.
