Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu has made history as the first Nigerian to secure the prestigious BAL Coach of the Year award.

Odaudu’s remarkable achievement follows the outstanding performance Rivers Hoopers during the 2024 African Basketball League.

Under his leadership, the Hoopers achieved a milestone, becoming the first Nigerian basketball team to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament.

The 2024 Coach of the Year award was presented by BAL Head of League Operations, Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje, and was announced prior to Rivers Hoopers’ third-placed game against the Cape Town Tigers.

Subsequently, he led his team to a dominant 80-57 victory over the South African side, securing a historic third-place finish as Rivers Hoopers became the first Nigerian team to claim a medal at the tournament.

Coach Odaudu Background

Born in Jos, Odaudu represented the junior Nigerian national team at the 1999 FIBA U-19 World Championship.

He later ascended to the Nigerian senior team, competing in the 2001 and 2003 editions of the FIBA Africa Championship, as well as the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Since the establishment of Rivers Hoopers in 2009, Odaudu has served as the head coach, guiding the team to five NPL titles in 2011, 2012, 2019, 2021, and 2023.

Under his stewardship, the team earned qualification for the 2021 BAL season, where Odaudu coached at the inaugural tournament.

Additionally, Odaudu has contributed his expertise as an assistant coach for the Nigerian national team since 2019, notably serving in the same capacity during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.