By Segun Ikuesan
The curtain fell on the 27th edition of the Rookies Academy Basketball Championship at the weekend, with young talents dazzling spectators at the Nigeria Police College basketball court in Ikeja, Lagos.
The week-long grassroots tournament featured thrilling contests across different age categories, showcasing the future stars of Nigerian basketball.
Rookies Academy dominated the younger categories, clinching top spots in both the Under-10 and Under-12 mixed divisions. In the Under-14 mixed event, Smart Academy emerged champions, while Rookies Academy settled for second place and Ronik Schools finished third.
Ronik Schools recorded another impressive outing by claiming the Under-16 boys’ title, ahead of Heat Kings who finished second, while Rookies Academy placed third.
In the female category, Victoria Queens shone brightly to win the Under-18 Girls championship.
Rookies Angeles finished as runners-up, while Raptors Girls secured third position.
The Under-18 Boys final also delivered exciting action as Slashers Academy claimed the top honour. Rookies Academy took second place, while Contoment Braves completed the podium in third.
The 27th Rookies Academy Championship once again reaffirmed its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading youth basketball platforms, providing opportunities for nurturing and discovering emerging talents in the sport.