Rivers Hoopers Land Tunisia Star Abada In NPBL Title Push

Six-time Nigerian champions Rivers Hoopers have strengthened their roster ahead of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) playoffs with the signing of experienced Tunisian point guard Omar Abada.

The 33-year-old playmaker joins the Port Harcourt-based side as they seek to reclaim the national title after narrowly missing out in last season’s championship game.

The KingsMen will begin their playoff campaign on August 29 at the Basketball Stadium on Niger Street, with Abada expected to play a key role in their bid for another league crown.

Renowned for his composure, pick-and-roll ability and perimeter shooting, Abada arrives with an impressive résumé built across international and continental competitions.

He was part of the Tunisia team that won consecutive FIBA AfroBasket titles in 2017 and 2021, averaging 12.7 points, 4.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game during the latter tournament in Kigali. His performances earned him a place in the All-AfroBasket First Team.

Abada has also excelled in FIBA World Cup competition. He averaged 14.5 points and 3.1 assists per game during the 2023 World Cup African Qualifiers, while recording 11.7 points and 4.0 assists at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, where he led all players in steals during the preliminary round.

His continental club pedigree is equally impressive. Abada was named to the All-BAL First Team during the inaugural Basketball Africa League season in 2021 after averaging 11.0 points and 5.2 assists per game for US Monastir, helping the Tunisian club reach the final.

He subsequently represented Côte d’Ivoire’s ABC Fighters in 2023 before producing one of his best BAL campaigns with Club Africain in 2026, averaging 18.7 points, 7.6 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game.

The veteran guard has also played in Europe and the Middle East, with spells at French LNB Pro B side Saint-Chamond, Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad Jeddah, Syria’s Al Wahda Damascus and Egyptian giants Al Ahly. He averaged 24.5 points and 6.6 assists per game during his time with Al-Ittihad Jeddah.

Abada is no stranger to Nigerian basketball fans, having faced D’Tigers on several occasions.

He featured in the 2017 AfroBasket final, when Tunisia defeated Nigeria 77-65 to claim the continental title, and returned to Lagos for the 2023 FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament, averaging 24.0 points and 7.5 assists.

Most recently, Abada produced a standout performance against Nigeria in the FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers in July, recording 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds despite Tunisia’s narrow 84-81 defeat in Radès.

His arrival is expected to add experience, creativity and offensive firepower to a Rivers Hoopers team determined to go one step further after their heartbreaking defeat in last season’s NPBL championship game.