Rivers Hoopers have continued to bolster their squad ahead of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) playoffs, bringing back fan-favourite Peter Olisemeka to complement arguably the league’s most formidable lineup.
Olisemeka joins the Port Harcourt-based side—who recently added Tunisian guard Omar Abada and Greek-Nigerian big man Nikolaos Okekuoyen—as they prepare to host the eight-team, round-robin playoffs from Aug. 29 to Sept. 6 at the Basketball Stadium on Niger Street, Rivers State.
The 6-foot-9 rebounding machine is well-acquainted with the six-time Nigerian champions, having previously anchored the franchise during its historic continental runs in the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Olisemeka proved central to Rivers Hoopers’ historic third-place finish at the 2024 BAL in Kigali—the highest placement ever achieved by a Nigerian club. Olisemeka averaged a double-double of 10.0 points and 11.7 rebounds across nine games during that landmark 2024 run, following it up with 8.8 points and 10.4 boards per game for the Hoopers in the 2025 BAL season.
His career includes championship honours with ZZ Leiden in the Netherlands, FIBA Europe Cup experience, and a standout season with Bulgaria’s Academic Plovdiv, where he led the league in rebounding (11.8 RPG).
Olisemeka will be aiming for a second domestic title with the KingsMen having previously played a key role when Rivers Hoopers lifted the NPBL trophy in 2024. He, however, finished second last year in that title-decider against Lagos Legends (Maktown Flyers)in Port Harcourt.
Action at the 2026 NPBL Playoffs will begin on 30th August, following official team arrivals and pre-tournament technical meetings a day earlier.
