The countdown is on for the 2025 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NBPL), with defending champions Rivers Hoopers set to lead the charge in a 16-team battle for national glory.
According to a communiqué signed by League Chairman Babatunde Ogunade and Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Secretary-General Amina O. Amanchi, the season will run from August 28 to November 16, 2025, preceded by team registrations from August 11 to 28.
The competition will unfold in four phases — Group Stage, Inter-Group Stage, Playoffs, and Final Four — with the 16 teams split into two conferences (Savannah and Atlantic), each featuring two groups of four teams.
Atlantic Conference:
- Group A: Comets, Police Batons, Lagos Legends, Hoops & Read
- Group B: Rivers Hoopers, Delta Force, Oluyole Warriors, Kwara Falcons
Savannah Conference:
- Group A: Nile University, Nigeria Customs, Gboko City Chiefs, Correctional Service
- Group B: Kano Pillars, Plateau Peaks, Gombe Bulls, Bauchi Nets
During the Group Stage, each team will play six games (home and away) against the other three teams in its group. The top sides will then meet at a central venue for the Inter-Group Stage, where each team plays seven games against teams from the other group.
The best four teams from each conference will advance to the knockout Playoffs, before the last four standing face off in a round-robin Final Four, with the highest points tally deciding the 2025 champions.
Rivers Hoopers, fresh from securing their sixth league crown with a 71–54 victory over Hoops & Read in the 2024 final, are eyeing a rare third consecutive title. With the new season’s format promising fierce competition, all eyes will be on the “KingsMen” to see if they can cement their dominance in Nigerian basketball history.
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