16 teams will compete in the 2025 Nigeria Premier Basketball League NBPL from 28 August until sometime in November.
The participating clubs are split into two groups of four sides each, across two conferences – Atlantic and Savannah.
This year’s championship is structured to run in four phases – Group, Inter-Group, Playoff, and Final Four.
Defending champions Rivers Hoopers have been paired alongside Delta Force, Oluyole Warriors, and Kwara Falcons in Group B of the Atlantic Conference, with Group A comprising Comets, Police Batons, Lagos Legends, as well as Hoops & Read.
In the Savannah Conference, Nile University, Nigeria Customs, Gboko City Chiefs, and Correctional Service make up Group A, while Group B features Kano Pillars, Plateau Peaks, Gombe Bulls, and Bauchi Nets.
Teams are expected to play each other over two legs six times per group.
All eight teams ( A and B) from each Conference will meet at a central venue for the Inter-Group Stage.
During this stage, each team will play seven games against each of their conference opponents.
The top four teams from each Conference (totalling eight teams) will come together for the playoffs round to be decided in a knockout format.
The final four teams will play each other once in a round robin format, with the club accruing the highest points tally at the end crowned 2025 NBPL champions.
Last season, Rivers Hoopers won their sixth league title by defeating Hoops & Read 71-54 in the playoff final of the 2024 NBPL season.
Reporating by Kelechi Bernard