Two-time AfroBasket champion Abada joins Rivers Hoopers ahead of NPBL playoffs
Six-time Nigerian champions Rivers Hoopers have strengthened their squad ahead of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League playoffs with the signing of veteran Tunisian point guard Omar Abada.
The 33-year-old playmaker joins the Port Harcourt-based side as they seek to reclaim the national title, with the eight-team playoffs scheduled to begin on August 29 at the Basketball Stadium on Niger Street in Port Harcourt.
Abada brings a wealth of experience and success to the Hoopers backcourt, having helped Tunisia win consecutive FIBA AfroBasket titles in 2017 and 2021.
During Tunisia’s successful title defence in Kigali in 2021, he averaged 12.7 points, 4.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game and was named to the All-AfroBasket First Team.
The experienced point guard has also enjoyed an impressive club career across Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
He was named to the All-BAL First Team in the inaugural Basketball Africa League season in 2021 after averaging 11.0 points and 5.2 assists per game for US Monastir, who reached the final.
Abada featured for Côte d’Ivoire’s ABC Fighters in 2023 before producing 18.7 points, 7.6 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game for Club Africain during the 2026 BAL campaign.
His international credentials also include strong performances in World Cup competitions.
He averaged 14.5 points and 3.1 assists during the 2023 FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers and 11.7 points and 4.0 assists at the 2019 World Cup in China, where he led all players in steals during the preliminary round.
Abada is no stranger to Nigerian basketball fans, having featured in Tunisia’s 77-65 victory over Nigeria in the 2017 AfroBasket final.
He also starred in Lagos during the 2023 FIBA Olympic pre-qualifying tournament, averaging 24 points and 7.5 assists per game.
Most recently, Abada produced 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds in Tunisia’s narrow 84-81 defeat to Nigeria’s D’Tigers in the FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers in Radès in July.
His arrival gives Rivers Hoopers additional experience and creativity as they attempt to go one step further after suffering a narrow defeat in last season’s NPBL championship game.
