Wilkins, who is the son of former NBA player Jeff Wilkins, linked up with his Hoopers teammates at the team’s training camp in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
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He arrived in Nigeria on Sunday, 7th April, 2024, two days before the club’s final training camp, which began on Monday, 9th April, 2024.
Three players finished in double figures for Hoopers: Mustapha Oyebanji had 15 points, including four 3s, Abel Offia added 14, while Michael Oriakhi scored 13.
Fubara said this at a grand reception for the team held at the State Executive chamber in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Consequently, the KingsMen picked the ticket as Nigeria’s sole representative at the 2024 edition of the Basketball Africa League.
Having suffered a narrow loss to Rivers Hoopers in their first game, the Chiefs came into the encounter needing nothing short of victory, and duly delivered.
The KingsMen started out of the blocks in the first quarter with complete dominance to lead the Chiefs 20-6 much to the delight of a raucous home crowd.
Abel Offia shot 10 points, including back to back three-pointers, in the fourth quarter of the highly exciting game.
Prior to the game, the KingsMen had one foot in the Final Four, but needed a win to guarantee their place.
This followed their victory at the second edition of the Louis Edem Invitational Basketball Championship in Lagos.
Rivers Hoopers improved to a 2-0 mark after a 42-25 win over Spintex Knights of Ghana at the Louis Edem Invitational Basketball Championship on Monday.
The KingsMen dropped their first game at the ongoing tournament as they lost 66-78 to Benue Braves in the last group game of the campaign.
The Port Harcourt based side had a slow start and were down by 19 points in the first quarter (8-25), but reduced it to eight at the end of third quarter (36-44)
The first semifinal match on Monday saw Nigeria Customs Service winning the first two quarters by 15-11 and 24-22.
Owen Oriakhi led the way for Hoopers in the decider with 24 points while also pulling down three rebounds.
The win against Police Baton was Rivers Hoopers’ second win in two games.
While Savanna Conference winners Kano Pillars will battle it out with Lagos Islanders, Kwara Falcons and Nigeria Customs in Group B.
Rivers Hoopers confirmed their status as the Atlantic Conference Kings after an eight-game unbeaten streak to confirm their place in the national finals which will serve as qualifiers for the 2021 Basketball African League organised by FIBA.
On a day Rivers Hoopers struggled on shooting and committed too many turnovers, they had to depend on their defense and front court to get the job done.
Emmanuel Balogun led other three Hoopers’ players to finish on double figures. He made 14 points, including four 3-pointers in the game.