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Rivers Hoopers intensify title push as NPBL unveils new season date

Posted : 14 May 2026

Six-time champions Rivers Hoopers have stepped up preparations for the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League season following confirmation that the campaign will now begin on May 16.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation and the League Management Company shifted the opening date by one week from the earlier May 9 schedule, with 20 clubs set to compete across the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences.

After narrowly missing out on the title last season, the Port-Harcourt-based KingsMen are leaving nothing to chance as they ramp up training ahead of the new campaign. The team lost 74-72 to Maktown Flyers in last year’s final and are determined to mount a stronger challenge this term.

Assistant coach Wilkinson Suobo admitted the revised timetable came unexpectedly, forcing the club into a hurried preparation phase.

“We did not expect the league to start this soon, so we had to assemble players quickly after the timetable was released,” Suobo said. “Some players arrived late, but most of them are already in camp and training has been very intensive.”

Rivers Hoopers have also moved to strengthen the squad during the transfer window, with new additions expected to boost the team’s title ambitions.

“We are very ready for the season,” Suobo added. “The players are focused and the new signings will help us go far and perform much better this year.”

The 2026 NPBL season will follow a four-phase format beginning with a home-and-away group stage before an inter-group round robin. The top eight teams will qualify for the playoffs, while the final four sides will battle for the championship crown.

Rivers Hoopers have been placed in Group A of the Atlantic Conference alongside Comets BC, Hoops & Read, Raptors BC, and DAM Confluence Giants. Their group matches will be played in Ibadan from May 16 to 26.

The KingsMen are fully committed to rectifying the errors of the previous season through rigorous training and strategic recruitment. With the squad nearing full capacity and a clear focus on the title, the team is set to be a major contender when the league tips off in Ibadan.

 

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