Rivers Hoopers were crowned champions of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League on Tuesday, completing an unbeaten run through the Final Four playoffs in Port Harcourt. The KingsMen secured the title with a game to spare after beating Gboko City Chiefs 88-76 on Monday, then closed out the tournament with a 92-90 overtime win over Maktown Flyers.
The title-clinching victory over the Chiefs was driven by 12 three-pointers, while Aso SkyHawks' 72-64 defeat of Maktown on Monday mathematically confirmed Hoopers as champions a day early. Tuesday's pulsating finish completed a perfect Final Four for the Port Harcourt side and delivered their seventh NPBL crown.
The triumph avenged a 74-72 defeat to Maktown in last season's championship game, which was decided in the final seconds on their home court. Head coach Ogoh Odaudu celebrated the redemption at the final buzzer. "I'm really, really happy," Odaudu said. "We had a heartbreak at home here last season, and we didn't want thunder to strike in the same place twice."
Odaudu added: "We wanted to blow them out and ensure that we had control of the game, and the players played it to perfection. I'm really, really proud of them." The title also secures Rivers Hoopers' place in the 2027 Basketball Africa League, marking their return to the continental stage after a season-long absence.
