A basketball player who was born to Nigerian parents in Greece, where he has lived almost all his life, Nikolaos Okekuoyen has admitted he will face many challenges while playing for Rivers Hoopers in the domestic league, but added it will also be full of fun.
Sports247 reports that the 29-year-old Okekuoyen declared further that he is determined to make the best of his decision to play in the Nigerian Premier Basketball League (NPBL) and help Rivers Hoopers regain top spot, while also eyeing a continental ticket.
While thanking his cousin, Peter Olisaemeka for making his move to The Garden City possible, the 7-foot, 285-pound big man disclosed that he wants to hit the ground running with the six-time champions and help them snatch a series of victories in phase three of the play-offs.
With the games set to take place on their home court in Port Harcourt, Okekuoyen, who enters the NPBL with memories of his stunning performances in the 2025/2026 campaign with Digenis Akritas Morphou of Cyprus, is thinking big for his new team.
The big man, who averaged 13.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest last season, is also hoping to bring to bear his wide line of experience from playing professionally in Greece and Cyprus, which came after his years of youth development at Filathlitikos.
Okekuoyen thanked Olisaemeka, The Hoopers’ big man, for encouraging him to try out in his parents’ native country, where he is already being spurred by family and ancestral ties, as he gets ready to thrill fans at the Basketball Arena on 59, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
He disclosed, “I got advice from him, and he told me it’s going to be a good move to come and play in Nigeria. It’s going to be fun; it’s going to be a challenging experience. And why not? I like challenges.
“I want to be champion of Nigeria. It’s a good opportunity for me to play basketball in a different country, in a different environment, and especially the country of my parents. So, it’s a blessing.”
