The reigning Nigerian basketball league champions, Rivers Hoopers, have secured the services of Kelvin Amayo for the 2025 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Playoffs ongoing in Port Harcourt.
Amayo was instrumental in Rivers Hoopers’ third-place finish in last year’s Basketball Africa League (BAL), averaging 16 points, 6.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. His impressive performance earned him spots on the All-BAL Second Team and the BAL All-Defensive Second Team in 2024.
He also led the KingsMen to victory in the 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Eight securing their place in the BAL.
The guard was named most valuable player of the playoffs and made the best five of the tournament.
The team has remained unbeaten throughout the 2025 NPBL season so far, and Amayo’s experience and skill will be invaluable as they navigate the playoffs.
Similarly, towering center, Peter Olisemeka has rejoined the reigning Nigerian champions, for the ongoing 2025 NPBL Final Eight Playoffs.
Olisemeka is no stranger to Nigerian Basketball, having helped the KingsMen win the 2024 NPBL title, and also featuring for the Nigerian champions at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in 2024 and 2025.
One of his biggest highlights for the KingsMen came at the 2024 BAL, when Olisemeka helped Rivers Hoopers become the first Nigerian club to reach the BAL semi-finals, notching an inspiring eighteen points and twelve rebounds in the pivotal quarterfinal victory over Tunisia’s US Monastir (92-88).
The six feet nine inch Center who strikes a commanding figure, once again proved his perimeter dominance, by marking his return to the team with a game high twelve rebounds as the KingsMen thrashed Hoops & Read 73-50 during a matchday one of the 2025 NPBL Playoffs, on Monday, 27th October, 2025.
Before joining the KingsMen in 2024, Olisemeka had spells across European leagues such as Romania (RM Vâlcea), the Netherlands (ZZ Leiden), Bulgaria, and Poland.
At 33-years-old, Olisemeka’s presence and wealth of experience from playing top level basketball across Europe and Africa could prove vital as the KingsMen chase a third straight league crown.
