Greek-Nigerian Big Man Okekuoyen Targets NPBL Title In Special Homecoming
Greek-Nigerian center Nikolaos Okekuoyen is determined to help Rivers Hoopers reclaim the Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) title as he prepares to make his Nigerian and African basketball debut with the six-time national champions.
The 29-year-old 7-foot, 285-pound big man joined Rivers Hoopers ahead of the 2026 NPBL Phase 3 Playoffs in Port Harcourt, bringing six seasons of professional experience in Greece and Cyprus.
Born in Athens to Nigerian parents, Okekuoyen said playing in the country of his parents is a special opportunity, with his move to the Hoopers also influenced by his cousin and fellow center Peter Olisemeka.
‘It’s a good opportunity for me to play basketball in a different country, in a different environment, and especially the country of my parents,’ Okekuoyen said. ‘So it’s a blessing.’
The former Filathlitikos developmental player, the Athens club that also helped develop NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo, arrives after averaging 13.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for Digenis Akritas Morphou in the 2025-26 Cyprus Division A season.
Okekuoyen believes his leadership and ability to involve teammates will be key to Rivers Hoopers’ championship ambitions, comparing his all-round approach to that of Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic.
‘I think I’m a very good leader. As a player, I’m a vocal person, and I like to get my teammates involved. That’s, I think, my strongest and my best attribute,’ he said.
‘I can score the ball. I can be a dominant force in the basket, but my game type is similar to Nikola Jokic. I like getting my teammates involved in the game.’
The KingsMen narrowly missed out on the NPBL crown last season, losing by just two points, and Okekuoyen believes the experience can fuel their title charge this year.
‘I’m here to try my best, and I think we have a great bunch of guys; everybody being here is going to make the difference to see we’re crowned champions by the end of the final game,’ he said. ‘We were there last year, and we didn’t make it by two points. I think this year is going to be our year.’
The eight-team NPBL Final Eight tournament is scheduled to run from August 30 to September 5 at the Indoor Basketball Stadium in Port Harcourt Township, with the eventual champions earning a place in the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
