Rivers Hoopers secure sixth NBBF Men’s Premier League title
By Tosin Omojola
Defending champions Rivers Hoopers retained their dominance in Nigerian basketball by clinching the 2024 Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Men’s Premier League title.
The team sealed its sixth championship victory with a commanding 71-54 win over Hoops N’ Read in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday.
The South-South basketball kings, led by Coach Ogoh Daudu, established control early in the game, winning the first quarter 24-18. Despite a spirited performance from Hoops N’ Read, coached by Victor Mensa, Rivers Hoopers maintained their composure, showcasing superior tactics and teamwork.
In the second quarter, Hoops N’ Read managed to narrow the gap, reducing Rivers Hoopers’ lead to 34-29, but the defending champions held firm.
A halftime pep talk by Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Barrister Christopher Green, motivated the Hoopers to push harder, extending their lead to 51-41 by the end of the third quarter.
The final quarter proved decisive as Rivers Hoopers, buoyed by their experience and precision, sealed their victory in style. Despite their efforts, Hoops N’ Read fell short but took pride in their silver medal finish, marking significant progress from the previous year.
Hoops N’ Read’s Clinton Best earned recognition as the Best Small Forward in Nigeria for 2024, showcasing his exceptional talent during the tournament. Meanwhile, the third-place match saw Gboko City Chiefs edge out Spartans Basketball Club in a nail-biting finish, winning by just three points.
Spartans, under Coach Stanley Dashion Gumut, fought back valiantly after a slow start but could not overturn Gboko City Chiefs’ narrow lead.
Rivers Hoopers capped an unbeaten campaign with six awards, including the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honor for Kelvin Amayo. The team celebrated their victory in an electrifying cultural atmosphere, further cementing their legacy in Nigerian basketball.
