The Nigeria Basketball Premier League defending champions, Rivers Hoopers alongside other teams like Lagos Legends, Gboko City Chiefs, and Nigeria Customs, have successfully secured their positions as the top four teams in the 2025 Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) Final Eight, paving the way for an exciting contest for the championship.
Report has it that following seven days of intense basketball competition at the Basketball Stadium located on Niger Street in Port Harcourt, these four teams confirmed their advancement to the Final Four. The Hoopers are determined to defend their title and achieve a third consecutive championship.
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However, it will be pertinent to say that away from the Rivers Hoopers, Lagos Legends also concluded the round-robin phase at the top of the standings, boasting six victories and one defeat, which included a significant win against Rivers Hoopers, thereby ending the champions’ lengthy unbeaten streak. In spite of this loss, the Rivers outlet secured second place with an identical record of six wins and one loss.
Gboko City Chiefs, on a one hand, are also reported to have trailed in third place after a thrilling 63–62 victory over Hoops & Read in their final match, finishing with five wins and two losses. Away from that, Nigeria Customs clinched the fourth and final qualification position by narrowly defeating Kano Pillars 64–60, concluding their campaign with three wins and four losses.
The match statistics have it that Lagos Legends dominated Nile University with a score of 93–63, while on the other hand, Rivers Hoopers rebounded from their earlier defeat to triumph over Kwara Falcons 83–69, regaining momentum as they approach the title match.
Unfortunately, the last four teams found at the bottom which the likes of Nile University, Kano Pillars, Hoops & Read, and Kwara Falcons—finished in fifth to eighth places respectively, thus exiting the competition for the NBPL title.
It has been confirmed that the Final Four stage is set to occur in three weeks, where the remaining teams will compete for dominance and an opportunity for national recognition.
