Twelve days ago when Rivers Hoopers celebrated their seventh Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) title, the crowning moment also carried a significant milestone for three KingsMen for whom the coronation marked a first-ever NPBL championship triumph. International recruits Omar Abada, Nikolaos Okekuoyen, and Raphiael Putney capped off a flawless debut campaign in Nigerian basketball with a special trophy lift, cementing an instant connection with the Port Harcourt crowd.
For a franchise built on a tradition of winning, the injection of international talent proved to be the ultimate catalyst in reclaiming national supremacy and securing a return ticket to the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Tunisian floor general, Omar Abada, was the engine of the Hoopers’ offense throughout the Final Four, averaging 14.7 points, 4.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game while operating with an outstanding 14-to-4 assist-to-turnover ratio, saving his best for the highest-stakes moments.
On Day Two against the Gboko City Chiefs, he poured in a team-high 18 points—hitting 4 of 6 three-pointers—to secure an 88-76 victory that mathematically locked up the title. He then backed that up with a complete 17-point, 5-rebound, 6-assist, and 3-steal performance in an overtime thriller against the Maktown Flyers, to earn a spot on the NPBL All-Star Five.
“I’m very happy—it was a great experience,” Abada said after lifting his first NPBL trophy. “I really enjoyed my time in Nigeria. People showed me love and gave me a warm welcome, so I’m grateful for that. I’m very happy to win this championship title and qualify Rivers Hoopers for the BAL.”
Off the bench, Nikolaos Okekuoyen provided crucial frontcourt depth and ultra-efficient scoring. In the opener against the Asosky Hawks, the big man set the tone for his first NPBL title run by racking up 11 points and 4 rebounds in just 11 minutes, shooting 80 per cent from the floor and a perfect 100 per cent from deep.
“It was a great experience for me, being in Nigeria, experiencing the culture and Nigerian basketball,” Okekuoyen said. “I’m very glad that I said yes to Rivers Hoopers. It’s a huge blessing for me to be a part of this championship-winning team and a part of Rivers Hoopers’ history.”
American forward Raphiael Putney brought vital experience to the squad, drawing on his history with the franchise during their 2025 BAL campaign. Battling through a lingering back issue, Putney anchored the defense on the court and provided crucial vocal leadership from the sidelines to claim his maiden Nigerian league crown.
“I’m really excited to have won the title with Rivers Hoopers,” Putney said. “This club is like family to me. I love being here, and I appreciate the love from the fans and the amazing people within the organisation.”
Winning a championship in a debut season is rare, but doing so while instantly capturing the adoration of the club’s passionate fanbase makes the achievement truly extraordinary. For Abada, Okekuoyen, and Putney, conquering Nigerian basketball at the very first attempt did more than just add another trophy to the cabinet—it transformed three first-time entrants into adopted local heroes, forever embedding them into the heart and history of the KingsMen.
