Kwara Falcons

The Kwara Falcons are a Nigerian basketball team based in Ilorin, Kwara. The team plays in the Nigerian Premier League and has won one championship in 2022. Currently, the Falcons also compete in the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Kwara Falcons
Kwara Falcons logo
ConferenceAtlantic
LeaguesNigerian Premier League
BAL
ArenaKwara Stadium
LocationIlorin, Kwara, Nigeria
PresidentAliu Jubril
Head coachBaba Jubril
Team captainAjileye Seyi Gideon
Championships1 (2022)

The team plays in the indoor sports complex in the Kwara Stadium.[1]

History

The Kwara Falcons were promoted to the Premier League in 2013, after winning the Atlantic Conference in the Division 1.[2] In their first season in the top-flight, the Falcons managed to avoid relegation. In 2015, the team finished third in the Atlantic Conference, behind star players such as Baba Jubril, Lanre Alimi and Tunde El-Alawa.[2] In 2016 and 2017, the Falcons reached the semi-finals of the national championship.

In 2018, Kwara were the runners-up of the Premier League, finishing only behind Rivers Hoopers.[3]

On November 12, 2022, the Falcons won their first-ever national championship after winning the 2022 season. As a result, they qualified directly for the 2023 season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).[4]

The Falcons strengthened their roster with AJ Wilson, Michael Kolawole and Jeremiah Mordi.[5]

Honours

Nigerian Premier League

  • Champions (1): 2022
    • Runner-up (1): 2018
      • Third place (1): 2019

Louis Edem Invitational Tournament

  • Winners (1): 2023[6]

Players

Current roster
As of 30 January 2023.

Note: Flags indicate national team, as has been defined under FIBA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIBA nationality.

No. Position Player
Nigeria NGA PG Tolani Buhari
Nigeria NGA G Dada Samuel
Nigeria NGA PG Kevin Ogunjimi
Nigeria NGA G Michael Kolawole
Nigeria NGA C Owen Oriakhi
United States USA F A.J. Wilson
Nigeria NGA SG Jeremiah Mordi

Head coach: Baba Jubril

References
  1. "KWARA FALCONS TO MOVE TO THE UNILORIN ARENA TEMPORARILY AS KWARA STATE GOVERNMENT RENOVATES THE INDOOR SPORTS HALL". bballnaija.com. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  2. ""LOW KEY! ALL OF THEM DON DEY NOTICE" - THE JOURNEY OF THE KWARA FALCONS IN FIREBOY DML`S WORDS". bballnaija.com. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  3. "KWESE PREMIER LEAGUE: Gombe Bulls are new champions, beat Kwara Falcons 81-67". 9 October 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  4. Omoniyi, Oluwaferanmi (13 November 2022). "NBBF Final 8: Kwara Falcons wins first title as High school student emereges MVP". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  5. "BAL 2023 : LES KWARA FALCONS SIGNENT TROIS NOUVEAUX JOUEURS" (in French). 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  6. Nwoke, Chidi (12 February 2023). "Kwara Falcons Win Louis Edem Men's Invitational Basketball Championship". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
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