Amayo, Olisemeka Rejoin Rivers Hoopers for Premier League Playoffs in Port Harcourt

Two of Nigeria’s foreign-born basketball stars, Kelvin Amayo and Peter Olisemeka, have rejoined Rivers Hoopers as the six-time national champions chase their seventh Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) title and a spot in the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL).

The Port Harcourt-based club confirmed the return of the duo on Wednesday, three days into the ongoing 2025 NBPL playoffs taking place in Port Harcourt.

Amayo played a key role in Hoopers’ historic third-place finish at the 2024 BAL, averaging 16 points, 6.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. His stellar performances earned him places on both the All-BAL Second Team and the BAL All-Defensive Second Team. He also guided the KingsMen to victory in the 2024 NBPL Final Eight, where he was named Most Valuable Player and featured in the tournament’s Best Five.

Olisemeka, meanwhile, is returning for another spell with the KingsMen after helping them lift the 2024 NBPL title and represent Nigeria in the 2024 and 2025 BAL seasons. One of his standout moments came at the 2024 BAL quarter-finals, when he delivered 18 points and 12 rebounds in a thrilling 92–88 victory over Tunisia’s US Monastir, a win that made Rivers Hoopers the first Nigerian team to reach the BAL semi-finals.

Before joining the Hoopers in 2024, Olisemeka gained experience across several European leagues, featuring for clubs in Romania (RM Vâlcea), the Netherlands (ZZ Leiden), Bulgaria, and Poland.

Rivers Hoopers have made a strong start to the 2025 playoffs, defeating Hoops & Read 73–50 on Monday and following up with a 69–57 win over Kano Pillars on Tuesday. With Amayo and Olisemeka now back in the squad, the KingsMen will look to maintain their momentum as they push for another championship crown and a return to continental action.