Six-time Nigerian basketball title holders Rivers Hoopers have kicked off intensive preparations for the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) season, with a clear focus on turning last year’s devastating final loss into redemption.
NPBL 2026 dates, format and team structure
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and the League Management Company (LMC) have confirmed that the 2026 NPBL campaign—originally set to begin on May 9—will instead tip off on May 16.
Under the updated structure, 20 teams will take part across two conferences: the Atlantic and the Savannah. The competition will be divided into four stages: the Group Stage (Home and Away), an Inter-Group Stage featuring a round-robin format, the Playoffs (Top 8), and the Finals (Top 4). Each conference will also be split into two groups containing five teams each.
KingsMen draw: Group A in the Atlantic Conference
The KingsMen have been assigned to Group A of the Atlantic Conference. Their group opponents are Lagos-based teams Comets BC, Hoops & Read and Raptors BC, alongside DAM Confluence Giants from Kogi State.
Group-stage matches are scheduled for Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, running from May 16 through May 26.
- Conference: Atlantic
- Group: A
- Opponents: Comets BC (Lagos), Hoops & Read (Lagos), Raptors BC (Lagos), DAM Confluence Giants (Kogi State)
- Venue for group games: Ibadan, Oyo State
- Date range: May 16 to May 26
Hoopers step up despite late timetable
With the league calendar released late, Rivers Hoopers have faced a shorter runway than ideal. Even so, the atmosphere within the club has been described as highly charged, and the coaching staff are satisfied with how quickly the squad has assembled after early logistical hurdles.
Assistant coach Wilkinson Suobo on the quick turnaround
Assistant coach Wilkinson Suobo acknowledged the tight preparation window but said the group is approaching the season with confidence.
“The preparation is intense,” Suobo said. “Some of the players are coming a little late because the league board just released the timetable. It was surprising, as we did not expect the league to start this soon, so we began assembling our players on short notice. Most of them are already on ground and we have begun intensive training.”
- The timetable arrived later than expected, compressing preparation time
- Players arrived at different times due to the schedule being released close to the start
- The team began assembling on short notice and has already started intensive training
New signings added to the existing core
Suobo also confirmed that the club’s management has been active in the transfer market, adding new players to support the existing backbone of the squad.
“We are very ready,” he said. “All the players are intact and they are really ready to play. We have gotten some new players to join us, and we know these additions will take us a long way in the league.”
Redemption after last season’s final heartbreak
For the KingsMen, the driving force behind their work is the memory of last year’s NPBL championship game, when they lost narrowly to Maktown Flyers 74–72.
Suobo said the disappointment of that defeat has lingered and is now being used as motivation for the new campaign.
“We will come back very strongly because losing the final last year came as a shock to us,” Suobo said. “This year we do not want to take chances, so we are preparing very hard in order to come out in flying colours.”
