The Kwara Falcons are a Nigerian basketball team based in Ilorin, Kwara. The team plays in the Nigerian Premier League and has won one championship in 2022. Following their national championship, the Falcons also competed in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in 2023.
| Kwara Falcons | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conference | Atlantic |
| Leagues | Nigerian Premier League |
| Founded | 1980 |
| History | Kwara Falcons (1980–present) |
| Arena | Kwara Stadium |
| Location | Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria |
| President | Aliu Jubril |
| Head coach | Baba Jubril |
| Team captain | Ajileye Seyi Gideon |
| Championships | 1 (2022) |
Founded in 1980, the Falcons play their home game in the indoor sports complex of the Kwara Stadium.[1]
History edit
The Kwara Falcons were founded in 1980.
The Kwara Falcons were promoted to the Premier League in 2013, after winning the Atlantic Conference in the Division 1.[2] In their first season in the top-flight, the Falcons managed to avoid relegation. In 2015, the team finished third in the Atlantic Conference, behind star players such as Baba Jubril, Lanre Alimi and Tunde El-Alawa.[2] In 2016 and 2017, the Falcons reached the semi-finals of the national championship.
In 2018, Kwara were the runners-up of the Premier League, finishing only behind Rivers Hoopers.[3]
On November 12, 2022, the Falcons won their first-ever national championship after winning the 2022 season. As a result, they qualified directly for the 2023 season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).[4]
For their inaugural BAL season, the Falcons strengthened their roster with AJ Wilson, Michael Kolawole and Jeremiah Mordi.[5] The Falcons were drawn into the Sahara Conference and lost all five of its games.[6]
Honours edit
Louis Edem Invitational Tournament
- Winners (1): 2023[7]
Players edit
2023 roster edit
The following Kwara Falcons roster played in the 2023 BAL season.
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.
| Kwara Falcons roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Updated: 25 September 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
References edit
- ^ "KWARA FALCONS TO MOVE TO THE UNILORIN ARENA TEMPORARILY AS KWARA STATE GOVERNMENT RENOVATES THE INDOOR SPORTS HALL". bballnaija.com. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ a b ""LOW KEY! ALL OF THEM DON DEY NOTICE" - THE JOURNEY OF THE KWARA FALCONS IN FIREBOY DML`S WORDS". bballnaija.com. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "KWESE PREMIER LEAGUE: Gombe Bulls are new champions, beat Kwara Falcons 81-67". 9 October 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ Omoniyi, Oluwaferanmi (13 November 2022). "NBBF Final 8: Kwara Falcons wins first title as High school student emereges MVP". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
- ^ "BAL 2023 : LES KWARA FALCONS SIGNENT TROIS NOUVEAUX JOUEURS" (in French). 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ "What happened at the 2023 Sahara Conference?". The BAL. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ Nwoke, Chidi (12 February 2023). "Kwara Falcons Win Louis Edem Men's Invitational Basketball Championship". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved 2 March 2023.