Going by their preparations ahead of the 2017 Premier Basketball League, Kano Pillars, the 2017 defending champions are making a loud statement as they recruit the services of Dike Azounoma.
Azounoma, a star player, remains one of the league’s prolific three-point shooter and one of the greatest ball passer with over a decade of experience to crown his efforts.
His international experience is also undoubtedly praiseworthy having represented the country at the junior and senior national levels.
Royal Hoopers (now Rivers Hoopers) in 2011 and 2012, Mark Mentors in 2015.
When he played for the Abidjan Ramblers team, he won the maiden season of the African Basketball League (ABL) held in Lagos in 2016.
The obvious target for his recruitment was definitely to regain Pillars’ 2016 basketball championship in which they won by defeating Nigeria Customs of Lagos, 71-53 in Lagos in July 2016.
Confirming his move to Pillars on his facebook page, the 6′ 2” shooting guard said it was the best decision for him.
“Kano Pillars is one of the biggest teams in Nigeria basketball and it will be an honour to play for them again.”
“I have been with the team before when I played for them at the FIBA African Champions Cup about five years ago and I like their organisation.”
“Most of the players are also my teammates at the national level and we have played together.”
“I got offers from other clubs like the Lagos Islanders and Abidjan Ramblers but I chose the Pillars as I feel I will make more impact over there.”
“They believe in me and I know I have the experience and all it takes to help them defend the league championship,’’ he said.
Sanni Ahmed, the head coach of the Pillars team in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos said that the team would benefit immensely from Azounoma.
“Azounoma is a prolific player with good track records that merit the kind of player we want in our team.”
“We are glad to have his services for the next coming season as we pull all our resources to defend our national title,’’ Ahmed said.
NAN reports that Azouma will join other veteran players including Abubakar Usman (Nda Abu), Matthew Onmonya, Dele Ademola and Yahaya Abdul in Kano City.
The 2017 Premier Basketball League is expected to dunk off on April 1.
Source: NAN
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