₦airaland Forum

Full match

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzfKgP0BsE8

Lagos Legends stun Hoopers 74-72 in NBPL finale

By Abiodun Adewale
24th November 2025

Lagos Legends Basketball Club halted Rivers Hoopers’ quest for a third consecutive Nigeria Basketball Premier League title, beating them 74-72 in a nail-biting 2025 Final 4 decider in Port Harcourt on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Both teams came into the final game of the season, chasing next year’s Basketball Africa League ticket after two wins in their opening two matches.

Lagos Legends, who beat Hoopers 80-79 during the final eight last month to end their three-year unbeaten run, started the game like a house on fire, racing to an early lead as Hoopers trailed for most part of the first quarter.

The Hoopers, however, nicked the first quarter 20-19, but they were given a hot chase in the second quarter by Lagos Legends, who ensured they went into the break 32-32.

Rivers Hoopers maintained a tiny lead in the third quarter, keeping the score 52-49, but the Lagos Legends were saving their best for the last.

Lagos Legends rallied late and tied the game 61-61 at some point. They took a one-point lead in another moment before Hoopers pegged them to 70-70 with 39 seconds to the buzzer.

Hoopers got two additional points but the Lagos Legends scored four more points at the death to win the game and prevent the 2024 BAL bronze medallists from winning a third title.

The result also meant Lagos Legends have beaten Hoopers twice in three of their meetings this season. Hoopers’ only win over them was 89-70 during the Inter-Group Phase.

Ultimately, Lagos Legends have also picked the ticket to next year’s BAL, taking over from Rivers Hoopers who have attended the last two editions.

https://punchng.com/lagos-legends-stun-hoopers-74-72-in-nbpl-finale/

PAST WINNERS OF THE NIGERIAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

This list is not exhaustive. It doesn't include the Milo Era (early and mid-1990s) and the era before that (1980s). It only features the Premier League era (1995 onward).

Champions of the Nigerian Premier Basketball League

1997: Lagos Islanders

1998: Lagos Islanders

1999: Lagos Islanders

2000: Lagos Islanders

2001: Lagos Islanders. Result of final: Lagos Islanders 70-55 Plateau Peaks.

2003: Ebun Comets

2005: Ebun Comets: Niger Potters came second (it was a round robin format).

2006: Plateau Peaks: Plateau Peaks beat Dodan Warriors 2 games to 0 in a best of 3 format. The venue was the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

2007: Ebun Comets: Ebun Comets beat Union Bank 74-64. The venue was the National Stadium, Lagos.

2008: Kano Pillars: Kano Pillars beat Union Bank in the final. The venue was the National Stadium, Lagos.

2009: Kano Pillars: Kano Pillars beat Lagos Islanders 83-72

2010: Kano Pillars: (Union Bank camr second).

2011: Royal Hoopers: (Kano Pillars came second)

2012: Royal Hoopers: (Kano Pillars came second)

2013: Kano Pillars: (Union Bank came second)

2014: Kano Pillars: (Mark Mentors came second)

2015: Mark Mentors: (Kano Pillars came second)

2016: Kano Pillars: (Nigeria Customs came second)

2017: Kano Pillars: (Gombe Bulls came second)

2018: Gombe Bulls: (Kwara Falcons came second)

2019: Rivers Hoopers: (Rivers Hoopers beat Raptors 97 - 57. The venue was the National Stadium, Lagos).

2021: Rivers Hoopers: (Rivers Hoopers beat Gombe Bulls 74-57. The venue was Abuja)

2022: Kwara Falcons: (Kwara Falcons beat Nigeria Customs 78 - 53 at the National Stadium, Lagos)

2023: Rivers Hoopers: (Gboko City Chiefs came second. It was a round robin format and it was held at Rivers State Sports Complex, Port-Harcourt).

2024: Rivers Hoopers: (Rivers Hoopers beat Hoops and Read 71-54 at the Rivers State Sports Complex)

Well done Hoopers! We’ll try again next time.

Lol never knew Nigerians got basket ball league

Tinubu and rigging, na afise.

naptu2:
Full match

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzfKgP0BsE8



https://punchng.com/lagos-legends-stun-hoopers-74-72-in-nbpl-finale/

Wetin concern agbero concern overload

We've got our representative for the next NBA backed BAL.

Congratulations to the Lagos Legends Basketball Club

Congratulations boys, wish you win the prize next time, make I call our Amiable Governor Sir Similaye Fubara, to prepare una rabbers and land,Wata Bam Bam

All of a sudden you started seeing venues... Hmm Nothing Eneka no go see for zoo.

Why not put the picture of the MVP player
How do you people reason sef

You just put name only.
What sort of useless graphic designer did this

Not everybody that you meet is normal.

yes single mothers..not good people

naptu2:
Not everybody that you meet is normal.