The 2023 NBBF Premier League was the 22nd season of the NBBF Premier League, the top-flight basketball league in Nigeria organised by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF). The season began on 22 October 2023 and ended on 25 November 2023 The champions qualified directly for the 2024 BAL season.[1] The Final Four was staged in Port Harcourt.
| 2023 NBBF Premier League | |
|---|---|
| League | Nigerian Premier League |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Duration | 22 October 2023 - 25 November 2023 |
| Number of teams | 24 |
| Conference Eight | |
| Final Four | |
| Champions | Rivers Hoopers (5th title) |
| Runners-up | Gboko City Chiefs |
The Kwara Falcons were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the conference stage. The Rivers Hoopers won their 5th national title with a undefeated 13-0 record.[2] The Hoopers clinched their title on 25 November, after winning the final game of the Final Four.[2]
First phase
editThe first phase ran from 22 to 29 October 2023 and was held in four groups of six or seven teams, divided in two conferences. The four host cities were Abuja, Lafia, Asaba and Ibadan. The top two teams from each group advance to the Conference Eight, the remaining teams were relegated to the Division One for the 2024 season.
Initially, 31 teams were announced for the first phase.[3] After withdrawals, the league began with 24 teams.[4]
Savannah Conference
editAbuja
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria Customs | 5 | 5 | 0 | 413 | 325 | +88 | 10 | Advance to Conference Eight |
| 2 | Nile University | 5 | 4 | 1 | 342 | 335 | +7 | 9 | |
| 3 | Kano Pillars | 5 | 3 | 2 | 382 | 325 | +57 | 8 | |
| 4 | Bauchi Nets | 5 | 2 | 3 | 332 | 364 | −32 | 7 | |
| 5 | Niger Potters | 5 | 1 | 4 | 294 | 345 | −51 | 6 | Relegated to NBBF National Division One |
| 6 | Kada Stars | 5 | 0 | 5 | 337 | 406 | −69 | 5 |
Lafia
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plateau Peaks | 5 | 4 | 1 | 318 | 285 | +33 | 9 | Advance to Conference Eight |
| 2 | Gboko City Chiefs | 5 | 4 | 1 | 311 | 231 | +80 | 9 | |
| 3 | Gombe Bulls | 5 | 3 | 2 | 328 | 332 | −4 | 8 | |
| 4 | Correctional | 5 | 3 | 2 | 305 | 305 | 0 | 8 | |
| 5 | Defenders | 5 | 1 | 4 | 298 | 347 | −49 | 6 | Relegated to NBBF National Division One |
| 6 | Benue Braves | 5 | 0 | 5 | 240 | 300 | −60 | 5 |
Atlantic Conference
editAsaba
editOriental Giants, Camac and Lagos Warriors were also announced to be in this group but did not play.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rivers Hoopers | 4 | 4 | 0 | 334 | 246 | +88 | 8 | Advance to Conference Eight |
| 2 | Lagos Legends | 4 | 3 | 1 | 299 | 253 | +46 | 7 | |
| 3 | Police Baton | 4 | 2 | 2 | 269 | 277 | −8 | 6 | |
| 4 | Delta Force | 4 | 1 | 3 | 270 | 326 | −56 | 5 | |
| 5 | Raptors | 4 | 0 | 4 | 240 | 310 | −70 | 4 | Relegated to NBBF National Division One |
Ibadan
editLagos Islanders was also announced to be in this group, but did not play.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kwara Falcons | 6 | 5 | 1 | 423 | 392 | +31 | 11 | Advance to Conference Eight |
| 2 | Ebun Comets | 6 | 5 | 1 | 371 | 279 | +92 | 11 | |
| 3 | Hoops & Read | 6 | 4 | 2 | 434 | 353 | +81 | 10 | |
| 4 | Oluyole Warriors | 6 | 4 | 2 | 366 | 327 | +39 | 10 | |
| 5 | Impressions | 6 | 2 | 4 | 288 | 355 | −67 | 8 | Relegated to NBBF National Division One |
| 6 | Ondo Raiders | 6 | 1 | 5 | 316 | 379 | −63 | 7 | |
| 7 | Invaders | 6 | 0 | 6 | 309 | 435 | −126 | 6 |
Conference Eight
editThis section needs expansion with: missing scores that were not reported by NBBF. You can help by adding to it. (December 2023) |
The Conference Eight phase was played by the eight highest placed teams from each conference. It was initially scheduled to only feature eight teams, and was to be held from 4 to 14 November 2023 in Lagos. Later, ihe NBBF announced that the Savannah Conference was hosted in Abuja, and the Atlantic Conference was hosted in Akure.
Atlantic Conference
editDelta Force withdrew ahead of the Conference Eight.[5] The Rivers Hoopers won the Atlantic Conference after going undefeated in their six games; Hoops & Read finished in second place.
Savannah Conference
editBauchi Nets withdrew ahead of the Conference Eight. Nigeria Customs emerged champions of the Savannah Conference, after winning all their six games.[6] The Gboko City Chiefs finished in second place.[6]
Final Four
editThe Final Four will be held from 22 to 25 November. Rivers Hoopers, Hoops & Read, Nigeria Customs and Gboko City Chiefs are the four qualified teams. On 16 November, Port Harcourt was announced as the host city. The last time Port Harcourt hosted the Final Eight of the Premier League was in 2010.[7]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | RIV | GBC | NIG | H&R | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rivers Hoopers (C) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 218 | 187 | +31 | 6 | Qualification to the 2024 BAL season | — | — | 77–57 | 74–68 | |
| 2 | Gboko City Chiefs | 3 | 2 | 1 | 213 | 198 | +15 | 5 | 62–67 | — | — | — | ||
| 3 | Nigeria Customs | 3 | 1 | 2 | 188 | 205 | −17 | 4 | — | 66–71 | — | — | ||
| 4 | Hoops & Read | 3 | 0 | 3 | 195 | 219 | −24 | 3 | — | 70–80 | 57–65 | — |
References
edit- ^ Kolawole, Hashim (24 October 2023). "2023 NBBF Premier Basketball League Tips Off with Host Cities Revealed | Sports247 Nigeria". Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ a b Busari, Niyi. "Rivers Hoopers Crowned NBBF Final 4 Champions, Pick BAL Ticket". BSN Sports. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ "Hoopers, 30 other teams to contest NBBF's 2023 Premier League". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ "26 clubs chase laurels as NBBF Men's Premier League". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ "Delta Force withdraws as NBBF Atlantic Conference's Final Eight begins". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ a b "NBBF Premier League: Nigeria Customs emerge Savannah Conference kings". Premium Times Nigeria. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ Amosu, Adeboye (16 November 2023). "Port Harcourt To Host 2023 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Four". Complete Sports. Retrieved 16 November 2023.