Lagos Legends sealed their place in the 2026 Basketball Africa League after edging defending champions Rivers Hoopers 74–72 in a gripping Final 4 showdown on Sunday in Port Harcourt.
Both teams entered the decider unbeaten from their opening two games, but the stakes proved higher for the Legends, who had halted Hoopers’ long-standing dominance at last month’s Final Eight.
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The contest lived up to its billing, with Rivers Hoopers taking a narrow 20–19 lead after the first quarter despite a sharp start from the Lagos side. The Legends rallied in the second quarter, forcing a 32–32 tie at halftime before Hoopers once again carved out a 52–49 advantage heading into the final period.
Lagos Legends stayed within reach and eventually tied the encounter at 61–61, shifting momentum in their favour. Hoopers pushed back to level the game at 70–70 with 39 seconds remaining and briefly went ahead, but the Legends showed greater composure in the closing moments, producing four decisive points to seal a dramatic victory.
The result underscores Lagos Legends’ growing authority, having defeated Hoopers twice in three meetings this season. It also ends Rivers Hoopers’ chase for a third consecutive Premier League crown while confirming the Legends as Nigeria’s new representatives for the 2026 BAL season.
