Rivers Hoopers
In the wake of their defeat to Lagos Legends, former champions of the Nigeria Basketball Premier League, Rivers Hoopers, say they have begun working to reclaim the title they have previously won six times, reports Punch.
Lagos Legends stunned the Hoopers in front of their home fans at the Basketball Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday, beating them 74–72 to claim the NBPL title.
The Legends, who had earlier ended the Hoopers’ three-year unbeaten run with an 80–79 win at last month’s Final Eight, started strongly and forced the defending champions to chase the game early before dealing them a huge blow in the closing stages of the last quarter.
Lagos Legends held their nerve to secure the win and book their place in next year’s Basketball Africa League, displacing Rivers Hoopers, who had represented Nigeria in the past two editions.
The defeat also denied the Hoopers a third consecutive NBPL title.
“We congratulate the Lagos Legends on their victory and the 2025 NBPL Championship,” the Hoopers said in a statement on Monday.
“To the KingsMen fans, you filled the arena and brought the energy we have relied on for years. Thank you for standing by us as we chased history. While the ‘3-Peat’ remains elusive, our resolve does not. We have been here before, and we have bounced back before. The work to reclaim the crown begins now. We rise again.”
Lagos Legends’ Patrick Abah was named the Most Valuable Player, joining teammates Tolani Buhari and Idoga John, as well as Chingka Garba of the Hoopers and Peter Olisemeka, in the season’s top five players.
