NBBF Announce tip-off date for men’s basketball league

The Nigeria Basketball Federation has confirmed that the 2025 edition of the Men’s Premier Basketball League will tip off on August 9 in both the Savannah and Atlantic Conferences, The Tidesports source reports.

The governing body for the sport in the country revealed that the 2025 league season will run in four phases. The first phase, which will take place, is the group stage, followed by the inter-group stage. Upon completion of the second phase, the playoffs will take full swing before the season concludes with the final four.

The NBBF revealed that host centres for the various phases of the 2025 league season would be communicated in due course. 16 franchises will take part in the elite division this season, including Nile University, Nigeria Customs, Gboko Chiefs, Correctional, Kano Pillars, Plateau Peaks, Gombe Bulls, Bauchi Nets, Comets, Police Baton, Lagos Legends, Hoops & Reeds, Rivers Hoopers, Delta Force, Oluyole Warriors, and Kwara Falcons.

All 16 participants have been drawn into four groups of four teams each across the two Conferences. The Savannah Conference is made up of two groups of eight teams. Group A features Nile University, Nigeria Customs, Gboko Chiefs, Correctional, while Group B has Kano Pillars, Plateau Peaks, Gombe Bulls, and Bauchi Nets.

The Atlantic Conference also has two groups of eight teams. Making up Group A are Comets, Police Baton, Lagos Legends, Hoops & Reeds, while Group B comprises Delta Force, Oluyole Warriors, Kwara Falcons and the defending champions and experienced Basketball Africa League participants Rivers Hoopers.