Rivers Hoopers have been crowned champions of the Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) after an unbeaten run in the 2026 Final Four playoffs in Port Harcourt.
The KingsMen sealed the title with a game to spare following an impressive 88-76 victory over Gboko City Chiefs on Monday.
The Port Harcourt side then completed a perfect campaign on Tuesday, edging Maktown Flyers 92-90 in a thrilling overtime contest to finish the playoffs unbeaten.
Rivers Hoopers delivered a dominant shooting display against Gboko City Chiefs, knocking down 12 three-pointers on their way to a comfortable 12-point win that secured the championship.
The triumph sees the KingsMen return to the summit of Nigerian basketball and adds another league title to the club’s growing list of achievements.
It is also a significant milestone for the team after missing out on the championship in recent seasons, with the players and coaching staff producing a consistent performance throughout the Final Four tournament.
Beyond the domestic success, the title comes with an added reward as Rivers Hoopers have officially secured qualification for the 2027 Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Their return to the BAL will give the club another opportunity to compete against some of the best teams on the continent after missing the previous edition of the competition.
The achievement is expected to be celebrated by basketball fans across Rivers State, with the KingsMen once again establishing themselves as one of Nigeria’s leading basketball teams.
Having reclaimed the NPBL crown, Rivers Hoopers will now shift their attention to preparing for continental competition as they aim to make a strong impact in the 2027 BAL.
