Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club of Port Harcourt sensation, Benjamin Ikechukwu has declared that the team deserve their ticket to represent Nigeria at the ongoing regional qualifiers in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Following a run of three straight victories at the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Championship, the shooting guard told sports247.ng that The Hoppers are still among Nigeria’s best teams of the moment.
Despite picking their ticket through an abridged format in the Nigerian Basketball Premier League, along with Civil Defenders of Abuja, Ikechukwu insists Nigeria has the best teams representing the nation.
Ikechukwu spoke after Rivers Hoopers defeated Braves Customs of Ghana 70-52 to record their second straight win at the FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers at Mathieu Kerekou Stadium, Cotonou on Wednesday.
Victor Koko put up 15 points on 7-of- 13 shooting and 9 rebounds in 24 minutes, then added two assists, two steals and three blocks.
Customs had a slow start in the first quarter 8-31 and could not stop The Hoopers’ dominance on defensive boards.
Thopugh The Kings Men had just four defensive rebounds, compared to 13 for Rivers Hoopers, they took a 21 points lead to the break (42-21).
The Ghanaians cut the deficit to 46-30 early in the third quarter, but less than three minutes later Hoopers guard, Victor James hit back-to-back 3-pointers and the KingsMen moved out to a 60-37 advantage.
The Hoopers produced 11 steals and five blocks while defending and six 3-pointers, 13 assists and just 10 turnovers when they had the ball.
Hoopers moved closer to qualification to the 2018 FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup with the victory, and Ikechukwu said it vindicates his verdict that they deserve to represent Nigeria.
Ikechukwu told sports247.ng: “The two Nigerian teams in the zonal competition have shown how capable they are by winning games.”
