Veteran basketball coach and former national team handler, Chief Alabi Adelanwa, has expressed strong belief in Rivers Hoopers’ chances of reaching the finals of the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoffs scheduled for June in Pretoria, South Africa.
Rivers Hoopers, the reigning Nigerian League champions, secured a third-place finish in the 2024 BAL edition after defeating Cape Town Tigers of South Africa 80-57 at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.
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In an exclusive interview with Journalist , the legendary coach — who helped develop top talents including NBA icons Hakeem Olajuwon and former D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji — voiced confidence in the team’s capacity to go all the way. He cited their strong technical crew, talented squad, and solid support from the Rivers State Government and Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) as major strengths.
Alabi Adelanwa praised the Hoopers’ recent performance in Rabat, Morocco, where they achieved back-to-back victories over FUS de Rabat (88-82 and 79-71) to qualify for the playoffs behind Al Ittihad Alexandria of Egypt in the Kalahari Conference.
Describing the Port Harcourt-based side as the most consistent team in the Nigerian domestic league, the Baba-Oba of Owu Kingdom expressed optimism that the Hoopers will surpass their previous performance at the continental level.
He also lauded NBBF President Engr. Musa Kida and Vice President Babs Ogunade for their leadership, which he said has helped create a positive environment for both D’Tigers and D’Tigress to thrive in the FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers and for the continued growth of basketball in Nigeria.
