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Rivers Hoopers Reclaim NPBL Crown and Secure 2027 BAL Ticket

Posted : 23 September 2026

Rivers Hoopers have reclaimed the Nigeria Premier Basketball League title after completing an unbeaten campaign in the 2026 Final Four playoffs in Port Harcourt. The KingsMen secured their seventh league championship and a return to the Basketball Africa League.

Hoopers clinched the championship with a game to spare after defeating Gboko City Chiefs 88-76 on Monday. They then completed a perfect Final Four run with a dramatic 92-90 overtime victory over Maktown Flyers on Tuesday.

The victory over Gboko City Chiefs was built around an outstanding shooting display. Rivers Hoopers made 12 three-pointers as they established a 12-point winning margin and moved closer to reclaiming the crown they lost last season.

The championship was confirmed after Maktown Flyers suffered a 72-64 defeat to Aso Sky Hawks earlier on Monday. That result meant Hoopers could not be overtaken before their final game of the round-robin tournament.

Hoopers' final game against Maktown provided another test despite the title already being secured. The KingsMen held their nerve in overtime to complete their unbeaten record and finish the three-day Final Four on a winning note.

The result also carried significance because Maktown had defeated Hoopers 74-72 in last season’s championship game. That narrow loss on Hoopers’ home court had denied them back-to-back titles.

Head coach Ogoh Odaudu said the championship represented a response to last season’s disappointment. He praised his players for their performance and said the team was determined not to allow another close defeat decide the title on home soil.

Rivers Hoopers entered the Final Four as the top-ranked team after posting a 6-1 record in the Final Eight. Maktown also finished 6-1, while Gboko City Chiefs and Aso Sky Hawks both recorded five wins and two defeats.

The Final Four was played in a round-robin format, with each team facing the other three. The team with the best record at the end of the competition claimed the NPBL championship and Nigeria’s qualification spot for the 2027 BAL.

The title sends Rivers Hoopers back to the continental stage after a season-long absence. The Port Harcourt club will now represent Nigeria in the 2027 Basketball Africa League.

 

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