Olisemeka, Amayo Rejoin Rivers Hoopers for 2025 NPBL Final Eight Playoffs
Rivers Hoopers have bolstered their roster for the 2025 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Final Eight Playoffs with the return of two key players, towering center Peter Olisemeka and dynamic guard Kelvin Amayo.
Olisemeka, a six-foot-nine veteran, rejoined the reigning champions ahead of the playoffs in Port Harcourt, bringing back the defensive grit and rebounding prowess that helped the KingsMen clinch the 2024 NPBL title.
He also featured prominently for Rivers Hoopers in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) across the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
His standout moment came during the 2024 BAL quarterfinals, where he posted 18 points and 12 rebounds in a thrilling 92-88 win over Tunisia’s US Monastir, an effort that propelled Rivers Hoopers to become the first Nigerian team to reach the BAL semi-finals.
Marking his return in style, Olisemeka dominated the boards with a game-high 12 rebounds in Rivers Hoopers’ emphatic 73-50 victory over Hoops on Matchday One of the 2025 NPBL Playoffs, held Monday, October 27.
Prior to joining the KingsMen in 2024, Olisemeka played across Europe, with stints in Romania (RM Vâlcea), the Netherlands (ZZ Leiden), Bulgaria, and Poland. Now 33, his experience and leadership are expected to be crucial as Rivers Hoopers pursue a third consecutive league title.
Joining him is Kelvin Amayo, whose signing further strengthens the Hoopers’ playoff ambitions. Amayo was a driving force behind the team’s third place finish at the 2024 BAL, where he averaged 16 points, 6.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game.
His stellar performance earned him selections to both the All-BAL Second Team and the BAL All-Defensive Second Team.
Amayo also played a pivotal role in Rivers Hoopers’ 2024 NPBL Final Eight triumph, earning MVP honors and a spot in the tournament’s Best Five.
With the team maintaining an unbeaten run throughout the 2025 NPBL season, Amayo’s return adds depth, versatility, and playoff-tested experience to a squad already brimming with confidence.
