Rivers Hoopers reclaim NPBL title

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Rivers Hoopers were crowned champions of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League on Tuesday following an unbeaten run in the 2026 Final Four playoffs in Port Harcourt, The PUNCH reports.

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The KingsMen had secured the championship with a game to spare after dismantling Gboko City Chiefs 88-76 on Monday, before edging Maktown Flyers 92-90 in a pulsating overtime victory on Tuesday.

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Their title-clinching victory over the Chiefs came after they drained 12 three-pointers to secure the 88-76 win.

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Earlier on Monday, Maktown Flyers had suffered a 72-64 defeat to Aso SkyHawks, a result that confirmed Rivers Hoopers as champions with a game still to play.

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Tuesday’s victory over Maktown completed a perfect finish for the KingsMen and confirmed their seventh NPBL title.

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The triumph also avenged their agonising 74-72 defeat to Maktown in last season’s championship game, which was decided in the final seconds on their home court.

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Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu celebrated the redemption at the final buzzer.

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“I’m really, really happy,” Odaudu said.

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“We had a heartbreak at home here last season, and we didn’t want thunder to strike in the same place twice. We put up a good fight, and right now I’m really happy for the boys, happy for the crowd, happy for Rivers State, and happy that we’re back where we’re supposed to be.

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“We didn’t want to keep the game close and let it go down to the wire. We wanted to blow them out and ensure that we had control of the game, and the players played it to perfection. I’m really, really proud of them.”

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The title also secures Rivers Hoopers’ place in the 2027 Basketball Africa League, marking their return to the continental stage after a season-long absence.

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