Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
Rivers Hoopers have completed the signing of 2015 NBA Champion Festus Ezeli, ahead of the Basketball Africa League in May.
Ezeli who last took the floor for an NBA game in the 2016 NBA Finals, becomes the fourth signing for the KingsMen, after Ben Uzoh, Taren Sullivan, and Chris Daniels all joined this week.
The 6ft 11 Center last played for the Westchester Knicks in the NBA G-League, an affiliate of the New York Knicks.
Festus Ezeli needs no introduction in the world of Basketball, as he is well-known for his triumph with the Golden State Warriors in the 2015 NBA finals. His interior defence and ability to guide the rim will help bolster Hoopers’ defensive ranks when BAL tips off in May.
It is the first time Ezeli will be playing for a Nigerian basketball side.
With Ezeli now on the books of the KingsMen, Rivers Hoopers will now switch attention away from transfers, as all four slots for Foreign and African Basketball players have been filled.
Each team participating in the Basketball Africa League were given four slots, to sign two players from outside Africa and two from Africa or with African heritage.
The Basketball Africa League will dunk off on May 16th with 12 teams from across Africa at the Kigali Arena in Rwanda.
Ben Uzoh elated to join Rivers Hoopers
Rivers Hoopers new guard Ben Uzoh has revealed that he is delighted to play for a Nigerian side again, ahead of the Basketball Africa League in Kigali, Rwanda.
The D’Tigers star said it is a great honour to play for Rivers Hoopers, reiterating his desire to grow the game in this part of the world.
“It is an honour to come back and play in Nigeria again to continue to grow the game now in Nigeria and Africa with what the NBA and FIBA are doing with the Africa League.”
Uzoh who has had an illustrious career as a Basketball player says he can’t wait to play and win some games against Hoopers’ opponents in the competition.
“I am looking forward to it and I am just going to enjoy my time and hopefully going to win some games”
