Rivers Hoopers new recruits Taren Sullivan and Chris Daniels have expressed excitement over playing for the team at the inaugural Basketball Africa League next month.
Sullivan said that the club’s rich history was one of the reasons he joined the Port Harcourt outfit.
The 6’6 forward in a chat with Hoopers’ media officer, Queen Moseph, said he is happy to be in a different environment.
“I am very excited just to have a different scenery and be around a whole different culture and as well be around the NBA organisation to just see the opportunity that may come from this and I’m excited to see how the first year goes for everyone,” he said.
Sullivan believes the history of Rivers Hoopers who are three-time champions of the Nigerian basketball league and 2018 FIBA Africa Zone 3 champions could be the deciding factor for a respectable finish in the tournament.
“I do believe that we are capable of going pretty far in the tournament if not all the way. I like the history that Hoopers have had, they have been pretty successful and this is a great opportunity for everyone on the roster and I know that I’m going to do every bit I can for the team to be able to take us as far as we can go.
“So, I’m very excited to meet [my new teammates] to see what we can do together on the court. I’ve never been to Africa, this is actually my first time being over the waters and going somewhere to play overseas.
“So, I’m very excited about that and looking forward to just visiting another culture and being able to play the game I love and just seeing what I can do to help the team go as far as we can go.”
The 25-year-old spent two years in the NBA G-League, he joined Stockton Kings from Sacramento Kings in October 2018, and then Stockton Kings sent Taren Sullivan in a trade to the Erie BayHawks.
Meanwhile, Chris Daniels cannot wait to play for the first time in Africa at the BAL.
“I’ve been waiting to come to Africa to play over there, I was just clueless about what was going on over there or the basketball situation over there but I have a better understanding now and I’m excited about going, I’m excited about playing there, I’m excited about visiting the motherland, so, it’s going to be a good experience for me and I can’t wait for it.
“Hopefully we can go all the way. I only know Ben (Ben Uzoh) on the team; we are from the same city of San Antonio. I plan on winning it all we will see.
“I think I can bring something new to the team inside and outside the arc, passing and defence. I look mean but I’m not. I’m going to work hard, push myself to make the team better. I love seeing my teammates score the ball.”
