‘We want to change Nigeria’s basketball story’

Will Perry, an American, who recently joined Rivers Hoopers ahead of the Basketball Africa League’s (BAL) Sahara Conference playoff in Senegal, has explained that he chose to come to Nigeria to help change the country’s negative basketball story.

Perry was among the new players unveiled by Rivers Hoopers ahead of their campaign in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) at the weekend. Speaking at the National Stadium, Lagos, Perry said before coming to Nigeria he was told by many people that the country has no structure or foundation for the development of basketball, adding, “I don’t know if that is true. But even if it is true, I want to be among the people to change the narrative.I want us to make history,and alsomake people happy.

“I know that many Nigerians want to build the league back up and see the country back to the top in Africa. That’s what drove me to come here and be part of the coming change.” He said his experience after spending two weeks in the country has been amazing, adding that he hopes to make the best of the new challenge.

Meanwhile, Rivers Hoopers Coach, Ogah Odaudu, is thrilled that the new players signed by the club have blended seamlessly with the old stars, saying the chemistry among the stars would help them as they start their BAL campaign at the Sahara Conference.

Speaking on the team’s preparation for the continental campaign, Odaudu said Rivers Hoopers, who have only had two training sessions, showed an uncanny team spirit in a friendly game on Thursday.

Odaudu said the chemistry among the players is a sign that they are in for a good campaign in the continent.The coach’s optimism was buttressed by team captain, Koko Victor Anthony, who said the additions to their squad and cooperation by his teammates are proof they are ready for the season.

The 31-year-old centre, who has played and thrived in several tournaments since he joined the club five years ago, described the current squad as the best he has been in.

He said: “We have been getting along with the newly signed players, who are quite experienced, and I believe they will have a great impact on the team. We have a lot to learn from them.

“Our goal is to excel at the Sahara Conference in Senegal and qualify for the BAL Championship billed to hold in Rwanda. Also speaking on Rivers Hoopers’ prospects at the Sahara Conference, D’Tigers forward, Devine Eke, who is one of the new players in the team, said the Nigerian league champions are ready to confront the continent’s best teams successfully.

“I am a bona fide Nigerian and I love representing my country,” said the 27-year-old, who made his debut for the national team at the Afrobasket qualifiers in Tunisia two months ago.

The six foot eight forward has played in NCAA Division 1 for Radford Highlanders, Zunder Palencia in Spain, Acadêmica Efapel in Portugal, Netherlands’ Zeeuw & Zeeuw Feyenoord and OKK Sloboda Tuzla of Bosnia.