Kelvin Amayo: Key to Rivers Hoopers’ Rise and BAL Season 5 Hopes

There’s something about Kelvin Amayo that makes you stop to watch. It’s not just the sharp crossovers or the clutch three-pointers. It’s the way he carries himself with the quiet confidence of someone who has been to places, seen things, and is still hungry for more.

When Amayo steps into the court, you’re not just seeing a basketball player. You’re seeing a story, one of grit, passion, and homecoming.

Born in Montreal, Amayo’s life has been anything but ordinary. He left home young, chasing a dream that would take him from the chilly courts of St. Benedict’s Prep in New Jersey to faraway gyms in Iran, Mali, and Libya. But for all the places he’s played, Nigeria has always felt like unfinished business. And now, back with Rivers Hoopers, he’s making it count.

More Than Just a Jersey Number

His return to Nigeria wasn’t just a transfer, it was a statement. After years of globe-trotting, he came home with one mission: elevate the game. And that’s exactly what he’s done.

In 2024, Amayo rejoined Rivers Hoopers and immediately became the engine behind their most successful season so far. The team clinched third place at the BAL, the highest in franchise history, and went on to win the Nigerian Premier League (NPL), with Amayo dropping an electrifying 29 points in the championship game. That performance didn’t just win them a title, it won him the NPL Most Valuable Player award.

However, his impact goes deeper than numbers. Amayo plays with the calm of someone who has walked through fire and came out tougher. After brief stints in U.S. college basketball (Marshall, then Iona), and a professional journey through some of the most unexpected corners of the sport, he has learned to lead.

Connecting the World with Nigerian Root

You wouldn’t expect to find a future Nigerian basketball star playing in the Iranian Basketball Super League, but that’s exactly where Amayo spent seasons sharpening his craft. From Chemidor Tehran to Sanaye Hormozgan, his global resume is a mix of hustle, risk-taking, and finding home in unfamiliar places.

In 2023, his star rose again when he helped Stade Malien of Mali to a third-place BAL finish. It was impressive, but he wasn’t done.

Later that year, he signed briefly with Al Ahli Tripoli for the Elite 16 qualifiers and helped the team secure a spot in the 2025 BAL. Then came the big return to Rivers Hoopers, where everything clicked into place. The chemistry, fire and legacy.

He was named to the All-BAL Second Team and the All-Defensive Second Team, proving he’s not just versatile, but indispensable.

BAL Season 5: The Stage Is Set

Now, with Basketball African League (BAL) Season 5 underway, Kelvin Amayo is once again in the spotlight. Not because he craves attention, but because his story demands it.

He represents every kid who has had to fight for a seat at the table, every athlete whose path didn’t follow the script, and every Nigerian fan who has waited to see one of their own shine on the continent’s biggest basketball stage.

As Rivers Hoopers lace up for what could be their most defining BAL campaign yet, Amayo stands at the center, not just as a point guard, but as a leader, a warrior, and a reminder that greatness sometimes takes the long road home.

Keep your eyes on Rivers Hoopers. Keep your eyes on Kelvin Amayo, because when he plays, it’s more than a game, but a story still being written.

And for young Nigerian ballers watching from the sidelines, Amayo’s journey is a reminder that their dreams are valid, that you can travel the world and still come back to make an impact at home.

As the BAL Season 5 begins, fans across Africa, especially in Nigeria, will be watching his every move. Not just for the baskets or blocks, but for the legacy he continues to build.

Rivers Hoopers believe. Nigeria believes. And with Amayo at the helm, who says they can’t go all the way?

We celebrate you, our Most Valuable Player.