Hoopers ready for NPBL title defence – Captain

Rivers Hoopers captain Victor Anthony Koko has said that his team is mentally ready for the challenge of retaining their Nigeria Premier Basketball League title when the 2025 season Final Four phase holds from November 21 – 23 in Port Harcourt, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The KingsMen, who won back-to-back NPBL titles in 2023 and 2024 unbeaten, are chasing their seventh title.

They will be up against Lagos Legends, Gboko City Chiefs, and Nigeria Customs, as they hope to retain the title they won last year and also pick the ticket to next year’s Basketball Africa League.

Following the conclusion of the Final Eight earlier this month, the KingsMen have had time to fine-tune preparations ahead of their title defence at the Final Four, with the skipper stating that he and his teammates are fully prepared to retain the championship.

“This time around, everyone is ready; everyone is mentally ready. We understand what is at stake, so we need to go all out. And right now, with the level of energy I’ve seen from my team during practice, I don’t think we’re going to be a team that just wants to have fun [on the court]. We’re a championship-winning team, and we want to retain that championship,” he stressed.

Koko has won the league seven times in his career, and he is looking to help the Port Harcourt club reach its height.

“I want us to win the 2025 NPBL title. It’s on my mind, day and night: Hoopers Champions. And I’m assuring our fans that we’re not going to let them down. It’s happening here in Port Harcourt, and we’re going to make them proud.”

The Final Four will be executed in a round robin format, with each team playing against all three other contestants, and the team accruing the best points tally crowned champions of the 2025 NPBL.

Hoopers will begin their Final Four outing with a crunch game against Gboko City Chiefs on Friday, November, 21.