Rivers Hoopers don become champions of di 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League on Tuesday, as dem finish di Final Four playoffs for Port Harcourt wit no match lost. Di KingsMen collect di title wit one match still dey when dem beat Gboko City Chiefs 88-76 on Monday, den dem close di tournament wit 92-90 overtime win against Maktown Flyers.
Di title-deciding victory against di Chiefs come wit 12 three-pointers, as Aso SkyHawks 72-64 loss to Maktown on Monday don mathematically confirm Hoopers as champions one day before. Tuesday exciting finish complete perfect Final Four for di Port Harcourt side and give dem dia seventh NPBL crown.
Di win avenge di 74-72 defeat wey Maktown give dem for last season championship game, wey dem decide for di final seconds for dia home court. Head coach Ogoh Odaudu celebrate di redemption when di final buzzer sound. "I dey really, really happy," Odaudu tok. "We suffer heartbreak for home here last season, and we no want thunder to strike di same place twice."
Odaudu add say: "We want to blow dem out and make sure say we get control of di game, and di players play am to perfection. I dey really, really proud of dem." Di title also lock Rivers Hoopers place for di 2027 Basketball Africa League, as dem dey return to continental stage afta one season wey dem no show.
