Rivers Hoopers Head Coach, Ogoh Odaudu, has praised his team’s resilience and growth after a demanding 2025 season that saw the KingsMen compete strongly on both continental and domestic fronts, despite falling just short of their ultimate targets.
READ ALSO: Lawrence Okolie Tags His Fight In Lagos As Invitation To Other Nigerian-born Boxers
The six-time Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) champions kicked off the year with a solid second-place finish at the Louis Edem Invitational Tournament in Lagos, losing narrowly to Benin Republic’s ASPAC in the final. That outing set the tone for a season filled with high-level competition and narrow margins.
Fresh from winning the 2024 NPBL title, Rivers Hoopers represented Nigeria at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Season Five, where they were drawn into the Kalahari Conference in Kigali, Rwanda.
The KingsMen announced their intentions early with impressive victories over hosts FUS Rabat and 2023 runners-up Stade Malien.
Although they suffered two defeats to Egypt’s Al Ittihad Alexandria, the Port Harcourt-based side finished second in the conference to book a place in the BAL Playoffs in Pretoria, South Africa.
While Rivers Hoopers were unable to replicate their historic third-place finish from the previous BAL season, Odaudu described the campaign as a success, noting the difficulty of consistently competing among Africa’s elite.
“We didn’t quite get the result that we wanted at the BAL this year, but being among the top eight clubs in Africa is not an easy feat,” Odaudu said. “So, in all, we still give thanks.”
Attention then shifted back to the domestic scene, where Rivers Hoopers set out to secure a third consecutive NPBL title.
The KingsMen cruised through the Group and Inter-Group phases unbeaten, underlining their dominance. However, their title defence ended in heartbreak as they suffered two narrow defeats to eventual champions Lagos Legend—first in the Playoffs Phase and again in the Grand Finale.
Despite the disappointment, Odaudu remained gracious, pointing to the team’s overall consistency.
“Losing only two games out of all the games we played is a great achievement,” he said. “It’s really heartbreaking to lose the final the way we did, but it also shows that we are not invincible. It’s an eye-opener, and we’ll go back to the drawing board.”
The veteran coach reserved special praise for his squad, highlighting the blend of youth and experience that defined Rivers Hoopers’ 2025 campaign.
Young players such as Favour Komene and Johnnywalker John Idoga were singled out for their development and commitment.
“This group has been really phenomenal,” Odaudu noted. “Some of the young players laid everything on the court. This has been one of the most interesting groups for me so far.”
Odaudu, who was named BAL Season Four Coach of the Year, also acknowledged the vital role played by the club’s backroom staff, management, and loyal supporters, describing the fans as a constant source of motivation regardless of results.
As the curtain falls on the 2025 season, the Rivers Hoopers coach remains optimistic about the future, insisting the club still has plenty to be proud of.
“Being the second-best team in the country is still something positive,” he concluded. “We’re already looking forward to 2026—to do what needs to be done and reclaim our rightful position.”
Despite the near misses, Rivers Hoopers’ 2025 campaign reaffirmed their status as one of Nigeria’s most consistent and competitive basketball teams, with eyes firmly set on a stronger return next season.
