JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
Six-time Nigerian champions Rivers Hoopers have begun intense preparations for the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) season.
Following official confirmation from the organisers, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and the League Management Company (LMC), the NPBL 2026 previously scheduled for May 9, will now begin on May 16, with twenty (20) teams split across two conferences (Atlantic and Savannah).
The 2026 season will consist of four stages: group stage (home and away), round robin stage, playoffs (top 8 teams) and finals (top 4 teams), with each conference further divided into two (2) groups of five (5) teams each.
The KingsMen have been placed in Group A of the Atlantic Conference, where they will battle Lagos-based Comets BC, Hoops & Read and Raptors BC, as well as DAM Confluence Giants of Kogi, with matches scheduled in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, between May 16 and 26.
Despite a shortened preparation window following the recent release of the championship calendar, the atmosphere within the team camp was described as “‘intense,’ with the coaching staff pleased with how quickly the roster came together after initial logistical challenges.
“The preparation is intense,” noted assistant coach Wilkinson Suobo.
“Some players will arrive a little late because the league board has just released the championship calendar. It was surprising, as we didn’t expect the championship to start now, so we started gathering our players at short notice. Most of them are already on the pitch and we have started intensive training.” he underlined.
Suobo also revealed that the Hoopers management have been active in the transfer market, strengthening the squad with new talent to complement the existing core of players.
“We are very ready,” Suobo underlined. “All the players are intact and are really ready to play. We have added some new players and we know that these additions will take us a long way to do very well in the league.”
After last season’s heartbreak, narrowly losing the NPBL title to the Maktown Flyers (74-72) in last season’s championship game, the main motivation for the KingsMen this year is redemption, with Suobo admitting the pain of that defeat remains a driving force for the team as they return to the field.
“We will return with great strength because losing the four finalists last year was a shock for us,” Suobo said. “This year we don’t want to take any risks, so we are preparing very hard to come out with flying colors this season.”
