Rivers Hoopers return to the BAL with high expectations after last year’s stunning third-place finish. Led by Coach Ogoh Odaudu and bolstered by key signings, the Nigerian champions aim for another deep playoff run.
Last Updated on
April 4, 2025
Six-time Nigerian Champions Rivers Hoopers are returning to the Basketball Africa League for the third time after a scintillating third-place finish at last year's events, where they dazzled and shocked some of the league's highly respected clubs. No longer considered minnows, they arrived in Morocco with the toga of serious contenders and will have to live up to that reputation in a conference that has rivals FUS Rabat, Al-Ittihad & Stade Malien.
The "Kings men" understand the dynamics and complexities of navigating through a tough group and will want to secure a spot first in the playoffs before fanning their lofty ambitions of a podium finish. River Hoopers seemed to be laced with the potential to fulfil their aspirations from the backroom staff to the on-court talent.
Coach Ogoh Odaudu is Running the Show: Perhaps, Rivers Hoopers biggest asset is their coach Ogoh Odaudu.
A former Nigerian national team star who led Hoopers to a third-place finish last year, Coach Odaudu is in the cast of elite coaches who keep innovating and pushing the tactical limits of the sport. A people person with a cheerful character and a gregarious smile that exudes confidence, the 2024 BAL Coach of the Year has improved his knowledge of the game with stints as part of coaching teams at the NBA Summer League.
His ability to get his players to play collectively first and then to their strengths suggests a man who is not afraid to take risks and trusts his players to deliver when the stakes are high. Coach Odaudu is optimistic that his side has trained pretty well and is ready for whatever challenge lies ahead.
"Training has gone well so far, we’ve been working very hard for the past two weeks and we’ve made tremendous progress.”
"Every tournament is just like an examination, you want to do better than the previous year. We came third last year, but we do not want to jump far ahead of ourselves. Our goal right now is to qualify from Morocco to the finals in South Africa, and then afterwards we can dream of something else."
Coach Odaudu's words are undoubtedly rooted in the faith he has in his team sprawling with elite talent.
Talks around Rivers Hoopers have been more about imports than the players they've lost in the off-season. The Rivers State-based side will be without dazzling playmaker Will Perry, Devine Eke, or John Wilkins, but they've more than made up for these absences with significant signings.
Maxi Munanga Shamba, a 31-year-old flashy point guard from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been drafted. Shamba has previously featured in FIBA Club competitions on the continent, playing for AS Sale in 2017, Taly Basketball in 2013, and Lupopo in 2009. With a wealth of experience and quick hands, Shamba is the player you want to start your offense.
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Forward Madut Akec has also joined the team alongside big man Raphiael Putney. The 34-year-old 7'0" center is an experienced journeyman who brings elite rim protection and proper shooting to the court. As if Rivers Hoopers' frontcourt couldn't be more potent, Peter Olisemeka has rejoined the Kingsmen. The 6'9" center, who averaged 10 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 2 APG, and 1.4 BLKPG at the 2024 BAL, is a constant threat on both ends of the court. He'll be linking up with guard Kevin Amayo, who averaged 16 PPG last season, and teenage sensation David Ugonna, who played on the Rivers Hoopers team last season as part of the BAL Elevate program.
Coach Odaudu is optimistic that his current squad can live up to fan expectations.
"It’s a quite different team; we have a new point guard, we have Raphiael Putney who’s almost 7-foot tall. We also have Madut Akec who I think is an upgrade of what we had last year. So I think the team is good to go. I’m a team player, and the whole team is equally important for what we hope to achieve."
Rivers Hoopers face Stade Malien in their first Kalahari Conference game on Saturday at the Moulay Abdellah Arena in Rabat, Morocco.
[Photography Courtesy of Rivers Hoopers/Sohali Visual and The BAL]
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