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PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — In a key move ahead of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Playoffs, Rivers Hoopers have announced 7-foot enforcer, Nikolaos Okekuoyen, as their latest signing as they continue the chase for domestic glory.
The 29-year-old center arrives in Nigeria following a standout 2025–26 campaign in Cyprus Division A with Digenis Akritas Morphou, where he posted double-double averages of 13.7 points and 10.2 rebounds (which ranked among the top interior marks in the Cypriot league) alongside 1.2 assists in 31.3 minutes per contest, shooting 43.9% from the field in 11 games.
The addition of the 285-pound big man introduces a potent combination of European top-flight experience, physical interior defense, and deep sense of family heritage.
Born in Athens to Nigerian parents, and having spent his early developmental years in Greece, Okekuoyen’s basketball journey carries notable pedigree having played at Filathlitikos—the same Athens club that cultivated Miami Heat superstar and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Okekuoyen later refined his skill set through the U.S. prep circuit at SPIRE Institute and Ridgeview Prep before entering the 2020 NBA Draft pool as an early entrant. He established a professional career spanning six seasons across Europe, where his resume includes top-tier experience in the Greek Basket League (HEBA A1) with Ionikos Nikaias BC, as well as extended, productive runs in the Greek HEBA A2 division featuring for AO Agrinio, Kavala, AE Psychiko, GS Eleftheroupoli, and Trikala BC.
While his arrival in Port Harcourt marks his first professional stint on the African continent, his addition represents a significant structural upgrade for the Hoopers to match the demands of the playoffs, owing to his reputation for being a formidable force in the key both offensively and defensively.
Beyond the tactical advantages, playing for the KingsMen will help bridge Okekuoyen’s European professional background with his ancestral roots, while continuing a quest for excellence shared by both parties as they aim for another successful championship run.
The 2026 NPBL Playoffs get underway on 29 August, at the Basketball Stadium on Niger Street, with the top eight teams (four each) from the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences going head-to-head for Nigeria’s biggest domestic basketball prize.
