I started basketball after a girl beat me, MVP Offia

Rivers Hoopers forward and the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Most Valuable Player Abel Offia shares his basketball journey, winning the MVP award, the challenges in Nigerian basketball, and his dreams for the Basketball Africa League in this chat with Temitayo Oshikoya.

How did you start playing basketball, and when did you decide to pursue it professionally?

I began playing basketball when I was 12 in Benin. I saw a girl playing and went over to check it out. You know how it is when you see a girl doing something impressive; you just want to join in. She actually won the game against me, and I was surprised.

After that, I started visiting the court every day after school. One day, the coach saw me coming around often and asked why I didn't join the team and play with them. I started training with the team, and before I knew it, I had fallen in love with the game. That was how I began my basketball journey.

What has been the biggest challenge in your basketball career so far?

The challenges are not just mine as a player but also for Nigeria and Africa. Here in Nigeria, the basketball federation does not provide us with everything we need in terms of opportunities, facilities, and the number of games we play.

It is hard to compete well when there is no good structure in place. I think we need a proper system that allows us to play regularly and develop our basketball talents.

Nigeria has a lot of talent, but we lack the structure to showcase our abilities at the international level. We have players who can compete, but we need the right environment to bring out their skills.

What has playing for Rivers Hoopers been like, and how has the club helped you grow as a player?

Playing for Rivers Hoopers has been a wonderful experience because it is the first team I won the Nigerian Premier Basketball League with. I had reached the finals a few times before, but I only won the league with Rivers Hoopers.

Being with the team has given me an advantage in terms of teamwork, coaching, discipline, and the overall atmosphere. These things have helped me grow as a player, and I appreciate the experience I have gained with the club.

You represented Nigeria at the 2023 FIBA AfroCan. How was that experience, and would you like to represent the country again?

It was a good experience, even if I did not play much. Still, it impacted me positively.

Naturally, every player wants to represent their country. I would be very happy to have that chance again, play alongside my brothers, represent Nigeria, and fly our flag high. It would mean a lot to me to be on that stage once more.

You recently won the MVP award for the 2026 NPBL season. How does it feel, and what does the award mean to you?

First, I want to say that the MVP award is not just for me. It represents all Nigerian players and everyone playing in the local league.

I say this because some people do not believe in us. They think players from abroad are better than those playing here in Nigeria. This award is a chance to show everyone that we can reach the highest level of our abilities.

We can compete with anyone, no matter where they come from. Whether a player is from the United States, China, or anywhere else, Nigerian players are capable.

Sometimes, people underestimate us because we are local players, but this award proves we have quality too. That is why I see it as an achievement for every local player, not just me.

I also want to dedicate this award to my coaches, teammates, and everyone who has supported me throughout my journey. They all played a role in helping me reach this point, and I am thankful to them.

What do you think made Rivers Hoopers successful this season?

One of the biggest reasons was that we had players who genuinely wanted to win and see the team succeed. Everybody was eager to improve, and we worked towards the same goal.

No one held the ball too much or tried to be the hero. We all understood that basketball is a team sport, so everyone had to contribute.

We also recognized that mistakes would happen, but what mattered was how we reacted. We were ready to correct each other, and it was not only the younger players who listened to the seniors. Even the senior players were open to feedback from the younger ones.

That mindset helped us because everyone was willing to learn, collaborate, and do what was necessary to win. I believe that team spirit was a major reason we finished at the top.

Rivers Hoopers are returning to the Basketball Africa League. What are your expectations for the competition?

I am hopeful I will get enough playing time because I have been looking forward to that. I want to show what I can do on the international stage and not just in the Nigerian league.

I believe I can make a difference if given the chance to play. We are not going there just to participate; we aim to compete and win.

My goal is to put myself in a position where I can help the team achieve that ambition. Everyone wants to play, contribute, and win the BAL, and that is what we will work towards.

What do you think Nigerian basketball needs to improve, particularly in supporting young players?

We need to enhance our facilities, but it goes beyond that. We must ask if there is a proper structure to help young players grow.

When a young player is ready to play in the league, what is being offered to them? What opportunities do they have, and what can they expect from the system?

I will not lie; many players in the league do not earn much. Imagine telling a young player they can go pro but will not earn enough to support themselves. That can discourage them, and some eventually lose motivation to keep playing.

We all love basketball, but the system does not always provide the support or opportunity to develop into the best players we can be.

I believe the federation needs to focus more on grassroots development, ensure players have enough games, and create a proper payment structure.

These things are very important.

As players, we play because we love the game, but how far can that love take you without enough money to meet your basic needs? Players need to support themselves while pursuing their careers.

Do you hope to play in a foreign league someday, and what are your biggest career goals?

Yes, I think every player hopes to play abroad, experience different cultures, and travel because of basketball. That is one of the exciting parts of the game.

I want to play outside Nigeria, not just in other African countries but also in Europe and the United States. Playing in the NBA is still a dream for me too.

I believe everything is possible, so we must keep working hard and pushing ourselves until we reach our goals.

What advice would you give young Nigerians who want to become professional basketball players?

My advice is to keep doing what they are doing and stay dedicated to their dreams. They should wake up every morning and focus on their health because that is very important, even though people don’t emphasize it enough.

Everyone tells young players to train hard, but what happens when you keep practicing without taking care of your health? You need to be healthy to play basketball, so looking after yourself is as crucial as working hard.

We also need to focus on the quality of coaching. If you have a coach who does not understand the game well, how can you expect them to develop a player? The same goes for officiating. Everyone involved in basketball needs to know the game and its rules.

These are some things I think the federation needs to fix. But as a player, my advice to young people is to be themselves, keep pushing, and stay committed to their goals.

Go to the gym, work hard, and, most importantly, make sure you are doing the right things. It is not just about spending hours training but about training correctly and improving in the areas where you need to.

One day, you will get the chance to show yourself and the world what you can do.