Rivers Hoopers' Odaudu Targets NBPL Playoffs Ticket

Rivers Hoopers' Odaudu Targets NBPL Playoffs Ticket

Precious Oham

Ahead of the commencement of the second phase of the 2025 Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) season, Rivers Hoopers Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu has set his sights on reaching the playoffs, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Phase one (Group Phase) of the 2025 NBPL season (which is structured to run in four phases: Group, Inter-Group, Playoff, and Final Four) drew to a close on 3 September.

During the group phase of the 2025 NBPL season, Rivers Hoopers were limited to fewer than ideal two games as Delta Force and Oluyole Warriors elected not to participate in the league, leaving the KingsMen and Kwara Falcons as the only teams in the Atlantic Conference Group B.

However, after a three-week break, during which period the KingsMen have engaged in intense training and friendlies, Odaudu believes his team is adequately prepared for Phase Two.

 "The first phase has come and gone. Unfortunately, we didn't get to play the number of matches that we wanted to play. But during the break, we've been swamped.

"We've played a couple of friendly matches, and we're still going to play another friendly. So, I think with all put in place, we should be ready for the second phase.

 "We had only eleven people who played the first two games. We're expecting four more people to join us by the second phase, and of course, they should be on the ground before jumpball."

The second phase will see Rivers Hoopers play against more opponents, such as Comets, Lagos Legends, as well as Hoops & Reeds, who all took part in Group A of the Atlantic Conference, link up with the KingsMen and Kwara Falcons (Group B) at the Indoor Basketball Court, 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township, for the Inter-Group games.

After winning back-to-back league titles and also finishing third at the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL), the KingsMen have been touted as strong favourites for the 2025 NBPL title.

But Odaudu remains modest in his expectations, as he revealed his team's immediate target remains a place in the playoffs (last eight).

"This is all the qualification for us. We just want to make it to the Final Eight for now and then see how we continue from there. The expectation for phase two is to make sure we're one of the top four teams who will make it to the next round, that is, the final eight, sometime next month," he pointed out.