Champions A Vision For A Stronger Nigerian Basketball League
Former NBA star and Nigerian basketball icon, Olumide Oyedeji, has hailed Lagos Legends’ dramatic 74-72 victory over Rivers Hoopers, securing their first-ever NBBF Premier League title and a spot in the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Oyedeji, proprietor of Hoops N’ Read and a respected NBBF board member, described the victory as “a new chapter” for the domestic league, emphasizing that Legends’ rise is proof that Nigerian clubs can hit continental standards with the right planning and discipline.
“Your victory is the result of hard work, and other teams should learn from the way Lagos Legends went about their business,” Oyedeji said, urging the champions to begin early preparation for the enormous challenge the BAL presents.
Oyedeji, a former D’Tigers captain, also applauded Rivers Hoopers, who hosted the Final Four for the third straight year, praising their organisation and hospitality. “You did not just host, you were excellent hosts,” he noted.
Despite his own Hoops N’ Read side bowing out in the Final Eight, Oyedeji remained invested in the league’s growth, emphasizing that Nigerian basketball is “moving, growing, and rising”.
“Nigerian basketball is becoming more competitive, more professional, and more exciting, and the Legends’ triumph is another sign of that,” Oyedeji said.
Oyedeji’s influence on Nigerian basketball is undeniable, from club ownership to administration to grassroots nurturing. His commitment to the sport remains unwavering, even in the face of personal loss, having recently lost his mother.
As the NBBF Premier League continues to evolve, Oyedeji’s steady influence remains a driving force shaping its future.
As quoted by Maxwell Kumoye for Hoops N’ Read BBC, Oyedeji’s message is clear: Lagos Legends’ victory is a testament to the growing strength of Nigerian basketball, and the country’s clubs are ready to take on the best in Africa.
