Former Nigeria champions Rivers Hoopers continued their history making journey in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) following a 92-88 win over Tunisian side US Monastir today.
The quarter final win makes Hoopers the first Nigerian team to reach the semi-finals of the Prestigious continental basketball tournament.
Point guard Will Perry scored 33 points — the most by any player in the game, made five rebounds and assisted five times – to help Rivers reach the BAL last four at the ongoing tournament in Kigali, Rwanda.
Speaking after the win, Perry said: “I am feeling good, I’m really happy for Nigeria. They deserve it.
On the possibilities of Rivers Hoopers reaching the final, he said, “We will try to rest and I pray we win again.”
Alongside the Semifinal record, the Kings Men had become the 1st Nigerian team to win a BAL game, more than 1 match and the 1st to qualify for the Playoffs.
The Ogo Odaudu tutored Hoopers will face Libyan side Al Ahly, who defeated reigning champions Al Ahly of Egypt 86-77 for a place in the final of this year’s tournament.
In another semifinal, South African side Cape Town Tigers will face the winner of the quarter-final game between Senegalese side AS Douanes and Angolan side Petro de Luanda.
Tag: Hoops
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After a brilliant outing at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Sahara Conference in Dakar two weeks ago, Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu has set new targets for the Playoffs.
The KingsMen had initially targeted the playoffs but went on to finish as Sahara Conference champions with a 4-2 win loss record.
Hoopers, who last played in Kigali at the inaugural edition of the BAL in 2021, could only manage one win out of three games.
Odaudu says they are happy to be back in Kigali and ready to compete for the title this time.
”It is a great feeling.” Said Odaudu.
”For the past two seasons, we have been watching the playoffs on television, but this season we are live in the arena. It is a reality, and we know that this is it.
”Everyone is excited; the team is hyped up and looking forward to the playoffs, and we are hoping we will continue from where we stopped.”
Hoopers became the first Nigerian team to win more than one BAL game and also the first to make the Playoffs.
Odaudu set his sights on attaining more records in Kigali.
”We have gotten a little bit greedy now. We played very well, so why do we need to stop here? A podium finish is actually what we are looking for right now,” he enthused.
The KingsMen will face AS Douanes in the seeding game on Saturday 25 May before playing Petro de Luanda or US Monastir in the quarterfinal.
”We won’t dream far ahead; we will take it one game at a time. First is AS Douanes in the seeding game, and we will use it as a test to see what we can do and what we cannot do. The target right now is the quarterfinal game; from that game, we will see what happens from there,” Ogoh concluded.Credit: Rivers Hoopers Media.
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Nigeria representatives Rivers Hoopers have commenced training today after landing in Kigali for the Basketball Africa League BAL 2023/24 Playoffs.
The Ogo Odaudu tutored side left Nigeria yesterday and will play Senegalese side AS Douanes on Saturday 25 May for a chance to qualify for the quarter finals of this year’s tourney.
The classification matchup is a repeat of Sahara Conference ties between both teams in Dakar, Senegal.
To qualify for the playoffs, Hoopers notched up 4 wins and 2 losses to top the Sahara Conference table of the championship.
The Playoffs and Finals will begin with a classification round where the top team will play against the next best team.
The next phase will be the Quarterfinals and losing teams will be eliminated from the tournament.
The BAL 2024 Playoffs and Finals will run from 24 May to 1 June at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.
The top eight teams from the regular season to compete in the Playoffs and Finals are, Al Ahly Ly (Libya), Al Ahly SC (Egypt), AS Douanes (Senegal), Cape Town Tigers (South Africa), FUS Rabat (Morocco), Petro de Luanda (Angola), Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria) and US Monastir (Tunisia).
The eight sides have been ranked based on the points accumulated in the conference phase.
Here’s how teams rank ahead of the classification round:
No.1 – Al Ahly SC (5-1)
No.2 – FUS Rabat (3-1)
No.3 – Rivers Hoopers (4-2)
No.4 – AS Douanes (3-3)
No.5 – Petro de Luanda (2-2)
No.6 – US Monastir (3-3)
No.7 – Al Ahly Ly (3-3)
No.8 – Cape Town Tigers (1-3)
And here is a breakdown of the 12 games that will determine the winner of the season. -
The Toronto Raptors Vice Chairman and President, Masai Ujiri, believes that Africa can achieve a lot when Nigeria moves in the right direction in all things, especially in the field of sports development.
Ujiri, the co-founder of the famous Giants of Africa GOA believes Nigeria and the continent at large can achieve far above average in sports if those in charge of administration and leadership push more investments towards the development of more sporting infrastructure.
The former D’Tigers player who spoke in Lagos said, “Nigeria is the heart of Africa; yes that’s why you have it positioned there. When Nigeria moves, Africa moves. Africa is looking up to Nigeria for the right moves. This continent is about the youths and we are inspired by them especially when we gather like this. They will continue to be leaders and they will change Africa. And Africa is already changing. We can really use sports to make the change. God has given us the opportunity to use sports to effect some change and our leaders must endeavour to move in the right direction.”
Masai spoke when GOA, the non-profit organization he co-founded returned to Lagos, Nigeria to host a youth basketball clinic at the Ilupeju Grammar School where they unveiled a basketball court in 2021.
The clinic welcomed Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who shared remarks with the youth and participated in on-court activities.
In addition, through their non-profit organization, the Archewell Foundation, the royal family members made a commitment to donate to Giants of Africa, supporting the construction of a new basketball court in Abuja, Nigeria.
This contribution bolters the organization’s ambitious initiative, ‘Built Within,’ a multi-year, 100-court investment in sports infrastructure across Africa.
“We are grateful to be joined by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at this basketball clinic here in Lagos,” said Masai Ujiri.
“Basketball has the power to unite communities and inspire young people to reach their full potential.
Teaming up with the Archewell Foundation, we look forward to creating experiences for young people, empowering them to become leaders, while also fostering pathways to opportunity and hope.”
Prince Harry said “What you guys are doing here at GOA is truly amazing. The power of sport can change lives. It brings people together and creates community.”
Megan, The Duchess of Sussex added, “We are thrilled to be here. I lived in Toronto for seven years and that was the first time I’d heard of Giants of Africa – talk about full circle – never did I think we would be able to be here all those years later supporting the expansion of this incredible organization, through our foundation the Archewell Foundation. We’re so grateful and proud of all the work that you’re doing.”
In another talk with the media on the sidelines of the same event the ex-Nigeria international added, “Africa is blessed and there is something we have that nobody in the world has as much as us and that is the talent base.”
“The talent base in Africa is big and these youths you are seeing today, would surely become something big in life and so why can’t we give them the platform to succeed,” Ujiri asked.
The Giants of Africa is almost at the half way mark of its ‘Build Within’ initiative with some 38 basketball courts already built across Africa including in Lagos, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Tanzania, Rwanda, Morocco amongst others.
The organization has done effective basketball and leadership programmes in some other African countries including Somalia.
Masai who spoke likewise in January at the launch of The Arena in Lekki, Lagos believes that the government has bigger role to play in building more infrastructure so that upcoming talents can fulfill their potential.
“Already, we have built about 38 courts across Africa and we are going to open more soon in the summer; we are slowly getting there and we are right about half way to our target of 100 and you hear the Duke and Duchess of Sussex say they are going to donate a court to us through their Archewell Foundation in Abuja and that is an additional court that would built in Abuja,” he said.
“We need more basketball courts; more soccer fields as well as more stadia across Africa. We need more infrastructures not only in sports but even in entertainments as well.”
Masai is the first and only African-born President of a professional sports franchise in North America.
Im 2019, Masai led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA Championship and the first NBA Championship won by a team outside the United States in NBA history.
In 2003, Masai co-founded the Giants of Africa Foundation, based on the idea of using basketball as a means of educating and enriching the lives of African youth – both boys and girls.
GOA has used sport to help empower youth to dream big, hosting basketball camps and clinics for boys and girls in 17 countries across the continent.
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Nigeria’s representatives at the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL), Rivers Hoopers, will face AS Douanes of Senegal in one of four seeding games in the playoffs in Kigali next week.
The two teams played against each other twice in the Sahara Conference held last week in Dakar with each winning one of the ties.
Unlike previous formats where teams advanced straight to the knockout stage (quarterfinals), teams have been paired based on their performance across all three conferences in this season’s playoffs.
The KingsMen, who won the Sahara Conference, are third in the overall standings behind Kalahari Conference champions FUS Rabat of Morocco in second and Nile Conference champions Al Ahly of Egypt, who top the overall standings.
AS Douanes finished (4), Petro de Luanda (5), US Monastir (6), Al Ahly Libya (7) and Cape Town Tigers (8).
The winner between Hoopers and AS Douanes (Game 40) will play against the winner between Petro de Luanda and US Monastir (Game 39), while the loser of the tie will square up against the loser of Game 39 in the quarterfinal.
Other quarter final seeding games will see Al Ahly take on FUS Rabat, and Al Ahly Libya play Cape Town Tigers.
The seeding games will take place on 24-25 May, before the single-elimination playoffs tip off on Sunday, 26 May at the BK Arena in Kigali.
Meanwhile, the KingsMen arrived in Lagos this week to continue preparation for the playoffs but will leave for Kigali later this weekend. -
Eighteen teams from the Savannah and Atlantic conferences will contest this year’s Nigeria Basketball Federation NBBF Premier League for men.
In a release today the NBBF said the league will run in three stages, starting with the Conference Play-Off, then the Second Round Play-Off, with the Final Four concluding the competition.
In the Playoffs, which is the first phase, the teams within each conference shall play each other home and away (16 games per
team in the regular season).
Each team will have 2 specific venues designated for home and away matches.
And to give the players ample time to rest and restrategize, matches shall be scheduled in such a way that when one conference is playing, the other is resting, and vice versa.
This ensures efficient use of facilities, optimal game scheduling, and nationwide follow-up of the league.
The Top 4 clubs from each conference shall advance to the Second Round playoffs while the bottom 4 sides from each conference shall play each other to determine which team will be relegated to the TotalEnergies Division 1.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), says the League’s format is one of the numerous efforts to improve the standard of the game in Nigeria and develope a structure aimed at improving competitiveness.
“This format has clear pathways for teams to advance, while maintaining excitement and interest throughout the League Season. It will also provide a comprehensive framework for the entire competition and a structured format that further enhances security by minimizing travel between venues, thus ensuring the safety of players, and reducing logistical challenges,” NBBF scribe Peter Njoku.
The NBBF scribe went on to state that, “This approach will also promote cost-effectiveness for teams, optimizing resources and creating a more sustainable league environment.”
The Nigeria Basketball governing body has equally initiated as well as introduced other requirements that will enable all Premier League Clubs establish a solid foundation for success both on and off the court, while also enhancing their professionalism and appeal within the league and the wider community.Date for the start of the 2024 Premier League as well as the venues to be used during the season shall be made public by the NBBF very soon.
Rivers Hoopers of Port Harcourt are the defending champions of the NBBF Premier League.
Final Four Structure:
The Top 2 teams from the Second-Round Play-Off shall advance to the National Final Four.
The Final Four shall be played on a league basis where each team plays against the other.
The League Winner:
The team that finished top during the Final Four standings is declared the league winner and will represent Nigeria in the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Clubs in the Premier League:
SAVANNAH CONFERENCE
1. Nigeria Customs Basketball of Abuja
2. Nile University Basketball Club of Abuja
3. Kano Pillars Basketball Club of Kano
4. Bauchi Nets Basketball of Bauchi
5. Plateau Peaks Basketball Club of Jos
6. Gboko City Chiefs’ Basketball Club of Gboko
7. Gombe Bulls Basketball Club of Gombe
8. Correctional Basketball Club of Abuja
ATLANTIC CONFERENCE
1. Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club of Port-harcourt
2. Lagos Legends Basketball Club of Lagos
3. Police Batons Basketball Club of Lagos
4. Delta Force Basketball Club of Asaba
5. Kwara Falcons Basketball Club of Ilorin
6. Comets Basketball Club of Lagos
7. Hoops & Reads Basketball Club of Lagos
8. Oluyole Warriors Basketball Club of Ibadan -
Giants of Africa, GOA, the non-profit organization co-founded by NBA side Toronto Raptors’ president, Masai Ujiri, returned to Lagos, Nigeria to host a youth basketball clinic at Ilupeju Grammar School where they unveiled a basketball court in 2021.
The clinic welcomed Prince Harry and Meghan, respectively The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who shared remarks with the youth and participated in on-court activities.
Through their their non-profit organization, the Archewell Foundation, the British Royal Family made a commitment to donate to GOA by supporting the construction of a new basketball court in Abuja, Nigeria.
This contribution bolsters GOA’s ambitious initiative, ‘Built Within,’ a multi-year, 100-court investment in sports infrastructure across Africa.
“We are grateful to be joined by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at this basketball clinic here in Lagos,” said Masai Ujiri.
“Basketball has the power to unite communities and inspire young people to reach their full potential. Teaming up with the Archewell Foundation, we look forward to creating experiences for young people, empowering them to become leaders, while also fostering pathways to opportunity and hope.”
The basketball clinic participants included boys and girls from Ilupeju Grammar school, along with wheelchair basketball athletes from the Spinabifida and Hydrocephalus Association in Nigeria.
Indigenous Giants of Africa coaches, and Team Nigeria Paralympian and GOA board member, Dennis Ogbe, led the young athletes through activities that not only focused on athletic skill development but also emphasized the importance of inclusivity, teamwork, perseverance, and community engagement.
Prince Harry said “What you guys are doing here at Giants of Africa is truly amazing. The power of sport can change lives. It brings people together and creates community.”
Megan, The Duchess of Sussex added, “We are thrilled to be here. I lived in Toronto for seven years and that was the first time I’d heard of Giants of Africa – talk about full circle– never did I think we would be able to be here all those years later supporting the expansion of this incredible organization, through our foundation, the Archewell Foundation. We’re so grateful and proud of all the work that you’re doing.”
The Giants of Africa basketball court in Nigeria, sponsored by the Archewell Foundation and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will serve as a testament to the power of sports in transforming lives and communities. -
After suffering a loss yesterday to snap their three game winning streak in the Basketball Africa League BAL, Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers are looking forward to making amends in the next game against APR of Rwanda tomorrow.
Rivers slumped 54-56 points to hosts AS Douanes of Senegal in the match, which leaves the Nigerian team’s coach Ogo Odaudu recounting the many mistakes his boys made as they prepare for their 5th tie in the championship.
“First of all we didn’t start very well, it was a major factor, that’s why we struggled the entire game,” Odaudu pointed out.
“We should pay attention to some little things like free throws.
“We lost the game by 2 points but our free throw shooting was like 16 of twenty something, we lost like how many?
” We turned over the ball twenty times.
” We gave up 19 offensive rebounds, we still lost by 2.
“So those are the things we should pay attention to and make sure they don’t happen in our next and we should be fine.”Latest Sahara Conference standings
After the APR game tomorrow, the Sahara Conference leaders Rivers will face Tunisian side US Monastir this Sunday in their last game of the reverse stage, with top two teams in the standings automatically qualifying for the 2024 BAL playoffs in Kigali. -
Western Conference
1. Thunder
2. Nuggets
3. Timberwolves
4. Clippers
5. Mavericks
6. Suns
7. Pelicans
8. Lakers
9. Kings
10. Warriors
11. Rockets
12. Jazz
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14. Spurs
15. Trail Blazers
Eastern Conference
1. Celtics
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4. Cavaliers
5. Magic
6. Pacers
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8. Heat
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11. Nets
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15. Pistons -
A basketball player has died after collapsing on the court in Australia.
Greg Olbrich, 51, went into cardiac arrest during a game at Morphett Vale Stadium, south of Adelaide yesterday night.
Olbrich had a successful basketball career that saw him play for the Adelaide Giants and Southern Tigers.
He won the Woollacott Medal – recognising ‘the fairest and most brilliant’ player – in the South Australian state league.
His death comes just a week after he celebrated his 25th anniversary with wife Jill, who he called his ‘best friend, partner-in-crime, confidant and soulmate’.
‘Thanks for being you and putting up with all of my shenanigans. Can’t wait to see what life brings us next!,’ he wrote on Facebook