The stage is set in Port Harcourt as the reigning champions Rivers Hoopers take on Hoops & Read to start their quest for a third consecutive Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) championship.
The top eight teams in the nation will compete for the 2025 title in the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Center’s indoor sports hall. The Hoopers are hoping to maintain their winning streak and increase their domination in Nigerian basketball going into the game.
The KingsMen, as they are affectionately known, will take on Hoops & Read in the opening day headlining match, according to Sunday’s technical meeting. Having met multiple times in recent seasons, both parties are familiar with one another. But the Hoopers have prevailed in their last three meetings, including a 67-58 victory in the Inter-Group Phase earlier this year.
Fans are already looking forward to fireworks between two of the most entertaining teams in the league before today’s game begins at 4 p.m.
The Port Harcourt team will be hoping to replicate their triumphs from the previous season, when they defeated Hoops & Read 71-54 in the championship game to win their sixth league title. Additionally, the KingsMen won all 12 games from the conference stage until the playoffs, finishing the 2024 season with a perfect record.
