Rivers Hoopers to fly Nigeria’s flag at 2025 Basketball African League

Defending champions, Rivers Hoopers basketball club, on Monday won the 2024 edition of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, (NBBF), Men’s Premier League.

The five-time champions won their sixth title in Port Harcourt, Rivers State following a 71-54 points win over Hoops N’ Read.

The team led every quarter of the game as they took the first quarter, 24-18.

Hoops N’ Read under the guidance of Coach Victor Mensa, trailed the champions in every department of the game , as they never seemed to get the breakthrough despite all their efforts.

Hoops N’ Read added more pressure on Hoopers in the second quarter reducing the margin by a point as Kelvin Amayo kept Coach Ogoh Daudu’s in the lead, 29-34.

Following a motivational speech by Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Barrister Christopher Green, Rivers Hoopers, pushed harder in the third quarter.

Hoops N’ Read intensified their efforts to contain Hoopers but to no avail as they keep widening the gap between the two teams to 10 points, bringing the scores to 51-41.

The last quarter was the heartbreaking moment for the outstanding and determined Coach Mensah’s squad as the 2024 BAL bronze medalist sealed the game, 71-54.

Hoops N’ Read took their silver medal with their heads held high as they surpassed last year’s mark, making themselves known on the national scene.
Meanwhile, the third place match saw Spartans Basketball Club lost to Gboko City Chiefs by a slim 3 points margin to Gboko City Chiefs.

Spartans started the battle on a poor note, but came back strongly and impressively, striking hard to get the game back in shape.

It was too little, too late for Coach Stanley Dashion Gumut’s men as Gboko City Chiefs held on tight to the lead to pick the third spot.

Rivers Hoopers, who did not taste the bitter pills of defeat, were crowned champions in an exciting and cultural atmosphere.

Rivers Hoopers bagged six prestigious awards with Kelvin Amayo as the Most Valuable Player in the event.

MVP – Kelvin Amayo, Rivers Hoopers
Best rebounder – Buchi Vincent, Rivers Hoopers
Best assist – Okiki Michael, Rivers Hoopers
Best shooter – Timothy Kwaoor, Gboko City Chiefs

TOP FIVE:
Point Guard, Okiki Michael, Rivers Hoopers
Shooting Guard, Kelvin Amayo, Rivers Hoopers
Small Forward, Clinton Best, Hoops N’ Read
Forward, Chingka Garba, Gboko City Chiefs
Center – Buchi Vincent, Rivers Hoopers