Rivers Hoopers completed an unbeaten 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Final Four campaign with a dramatic 92–90 overtime victory over Maktown Flyers on Tuesday, confirming their return to the top of Nigerian basketball with a seventh league title.
The KingsMen had already secured the championship a day earlier after beating Gboko City Chiefs 88–76, but they finished the tournament in style by overcoming the defending champions in a thrilling rematch at the Basketball Stadium in Port Harcourt, na weytin Hitvibz dey yan be dat.
Rivers Hoopers’ seventh NPBL title comes with BAL return
Maktown Flyers started strongly in the final meeting between the two sides, taking a 26–22 lead after the opening quarter before extending their advantage to 47–38 at half-time.
The KingsMen responded impressively after the break, cutting into the deficit and eventually drawing level at 63–63 heading into the fourth quarter.
Neither side could separate itself in the final period as the defending champions and the eventual champions remained locked at 80–80 at the end of regulation.
That forced overtime, where Rivers Hoopers held their nerve to edge the Flyers 92–90 and complete a perfect Final Four record.
The victory was particularly significant after Maktown had defeated the Hoopers 74–72 in last season’s championship game to claim the title.
The seventh NPBL championship also sends the Port Harcourt-based side back to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) for the 2027 season. The club had missed the previous BAL campaign after losing its domestic crown.
Rivers Hoopers’ seven league titles now put them level with Kano Pillars for the most NPBL championships in history. The Hoopers entered the Final Four as the top-ranked team after finishing the Final Eight with a 6–1 record.
Abel Offia named MVP as Hoopers complete unbeaten campaign
Abel Offia was named the Most Valuable Player of the Final Four after producing an impressive all-round campaign for the champions.
He averaged 18 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while posting an efficiency rating of 17.8.
Rivers Hoopers were not the only team celebrating at the end of the tournament.
Debutants ASO Sky Hawks defeated Gboko City Chiefs 80–75 to finish as runners-up with a 2–1 record, with Paul Dibal leading the way with a game-high 32 points.
For the KingsMen, however, the bigger picture is clear: the NPBL crown is back in Port Harcourt, and the next challenge will be taking that momentum onto the continental stage when Rivers Hoopers return to the BAL in 2027.
Last Updated on September 23, 2026 7:52 am by Hitvibz Media
Rivers Hoopers Seventh NPBL Title Confirmed After Dramatic 92–90 Overtime Win Over Maktown Flyers
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