Six-time Nigerian champions Rivers Hoopers have strengthened their roster before the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) playoffs with the signing of experienced Tunisian point guard Omar Abada.
The 33-year-old arrives at the Port Harcourt club as the Hoopers pursue another national title. He is expected to play a central role for the KingsMen when the postseason begins at the Basketball Stadium on Niger Street on 29 August.
Abada brings championship experience
Renowned for his calm decision-making, effectiveness in pick-and-roll situations and ability to score from outside, Abada adds a decorated presence to the Rivers Hoopers backcourt.
He was a key figure for Tunisia as the country won consecutive FIBA AfroBasket crowns in 2017 and 2021. During Tunisia’s successful title defence in Kigali, Abada produced 12.7 points, 4.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game, earning a place on the All-AfroBasket First Team.
His influence has extended beyond continental competition. In the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, he averaged 14.5 points and 3.1 assists per game. At the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, he recorded 11.7 points and 4.0 assists per game and finished as the preliminary round’s leading player for steals.
Abada has also built an impressive Basketball Africa League record. He made the inaugural season’s All-BAL First Team in 2021 after averaging 11.0 points and 5.2 assists per game while helping US Monastir reach the final. He later represented Côte d’Ivoire’s ABC Fighters in 2023 before producing the best numbers of his BAL career with Club Africain in 2026, averaging 18.7 points, 7.6 assists and 2.6 rebounds.
His professional career has taken him beyond Africa, including a period with Saint-Chamond in France’s LNB Pro B. He has also played for Al-Ittihad Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, where he posted 24.5 points and 6.6 assists per game, as well as Al Wahda Damascus of Syria and Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly.
A familiar opponent for Nigerian fans
Nigerian supporters have previously watched Abada perform against the national team. His most notable appearances include:
- In the 2017 Afrobasket final, he featured as Tunisia defeated Nigeria 77-65 to lift the trophy.
- At the 2023 FIBA Olympic pre-qualifying tournament in Lagos, he averaged 24.0 points and 7.5 assists per game.
- In July, during the FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers in Radès, he led the statistical charts with 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds despite Tunisia’s narrow 84-81 loss to Nigeria’s D’Tigers.
Rivers Hoopers enter the playoffs determined to recover from their agonisingly close defeat in last season’s NPBL championship game. Abada’s skill, scoring ability and wealth of experience are expected to increase the team’s attacking pace as they compete in the eight-team battle for the 2026 league title.
