PORT HARCOURT (Nigeria) - A year after losing the domestic league title to the Maktown Flyers, the Rivers Hoopers reclaimed their dominance in the West African country.
The Kingsmen, as the team is fondly known, won the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) title by finishing the Final Four Playoffs with an unbeaten 3–0 record on home soil, putting the icing on the cake with a thrilling 92–90 overtime victory against the Maktown Flyers.
Tunisian guard Omar Abada scored a crucial two-point basket to give the Hoopers a three-point lead with under three minutes remaining.
He finished the game with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Peter Olisemeka recorded a double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds.
They had previously beaten Aso Sky Hawks 74–60 in their first game, and Gboko City Chiefs 88–76 in their second.
With this win, the Port Harcourt-based team secured their seventh domestic league championship title, having previously won in 2011, 2012, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024.
Offia wins MVP honors
Abel Offia, who played for Nigeria in the 2023 FIBA AfroCan tournament, was named the season's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Reacting to the Hoopers' success, he said: 'Honestly, it’s an amazing feeling. Winning the league was our main goal, and being named MVP on top of that makes it even more special. I’m grateful to God, my teammates, the coaches, the organisation and everyone who supported us throughout the season. This MVP award is not just for me; it represents all the hard work we put in together as a team.”
“Being named MVP means a lot to me because it shows that the work I’ve been putting in is being recognized. But I also see it as a responsibility to keep improving and helping my team. Basketball is a team sport, so I couldn’t have achieved this without my teammates and coaches. I’m thankful, but I know there’s still a lot more work ahead.”
Reflecting on the Hoopers' return to the BAL, Offia said that they should be expected to perform well. “Expect a very hungry and determined Rivers Hoopers team. We know that the BAL is a different level of competition, so we must prepare properly, stay disciplined and work as a team. We’re going there to compete, to represent Rivers State and Nigeria with pride, and to give our all on the court.”
All-Tournament Team for the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League season
Abel Offia was named in the All-Tournament Team for the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League season, alongside his teammates Omar Abada and Peter Olisemeka, as well as Paul Dibal (Aso SkyHawks) and Thomas Marcus (Gboko City Chiefs).
How the 2026 NPBL Season Unfolded
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) announced May 16, 2026 as the new start date for the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League season.
The federation shifted the opening date from May 12 following the League Management Committee's (LMC) approval of additional teams, bringing the total number of teams to 20.
As in previous years, the league is divided into the Atlantic and Savannah conferences.
Teams competing in the Savannah Conference include the Nigeria Customs Services, Nile University, the Gboko Chiefs, the Maktown Flyers, the Plateau Peaks, the Gombe Bulls, the Kano Pillars, the Bauchi Nets, the Niger Potters, the 313 Warriors, and the Aso Sky Hawks.
The Atlantic Conference features the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club, the Comets Basketball Club, the Hoops and Reads Basketball Club, the Kwara Falcons Basketball Club, the Athletes for Peace Basketball Club, the Edo Beads Basketball Club, the Raptors Basketball Club, the Coal City Blazers Basketball Club, and the Confluence Kings Basketball Club.
Group A games in the Savannah Conference took place at the Rayfield Basketball Stadium in Jos and featured Kano Pillars, 313 Warriors, Gombe Bulls, Plateau Peaks, and Bauchi Nets.
In Abuja, Group B fixtures saw Gboko City Chiefs, Nigeria Customs, Nile University, Niger Potters, and Aso SkyHawks compete for supremacy.
The Atlantic Conference Group A matches took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan. There, the Comets, Raptors, Rivers Hoopers, Dam Confluence Giants, and Hoops & Reads competed.
The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City hosted the Atlantic Conference Group B, with defending champions Maktown Flyers drawn alongside Athletes for Peace, Coal City Blazers, Edo Beads, and Kwara Falcons.
The Final 8 Battle
The Final 8 of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League took place from August 29 to September 6 at the Indoor Basketball Stadium on Niger Street in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The tournament featured the top four teams from each of the Atlantic and Savannah conferences.
Atlantic Conference: Rivers Hoopers, Maktown Flyers, Hoops & Read, and Lagos Raptors.
Savannah Conference: Aso Sky Hawks, 313 Warriors, Gboko City Chiefs, and Kano Pillars.
The Final 4 Battle
Port Harcourt was confirmed as the host city for the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Final Four tournament. The season-ending tournament took place in late September.
Final standings of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Four
1. Rivers Hoopers (3-0) 2. Aso Sky Hawks (2-1) 3. Gboko City Chiefs (1-2) 4. Maktown Flyers (0-3)
FIBA