Rivers Hoopers retain Nigerian Basketball League title

Rivers Hoopers have retained their Nigerian Basketball League title as they secured their sixth title and booked a spot in the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Rivers Hoopers will return to the BAL after making history earlier this year as the first Nigerian team to reach the podium by defeating Cape Town Tigers 80-57 in Kigali.

The Port-Harcourt-based side claimed their sixth Nigeria Premier Basketball League title by defeating Hoops 71-54 in the final held on Monday.

The King’s Men concluded their 2024 NBPL season with a perfect record of 12 wins in 12 games, spanning from the Conference finals to the playoffs.

Point guard Kelvin Amayo was instrumental in the team's success, scoring 29 points to help the team defend the title they won last year.

Amayo's dominance was evident in the semifinal as well, where he scored 22 points against the Gboko City Chiefs.

Reacting after the victory and impressive performance, Amayo stated that they usually have the hunger to become champions.

"I'm really excited about this win and to be a part of this team. We worked hard for this, and it feels great to be champions again," he said.

According to The Lagos Voice, the Kingsmen have won the Nigeria Basketball League for the sixth time (2011, 2012, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024).