NICKNAME/S: DSav

BIO: Originally from Western Australian, Okwera moved to Melbourne as a teenager. The 210cm forward is known for his length and athleticism, can protect the rim and defend at a highly competitive level. The big-man can also get it done on the offensive end of the floor, with his strengths residing in the paint and around the rim.

After receiving close to 20 NCAA D1 offers, Okwera made the decision to forgo the collegiate path and play in the NBL. Okwera received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2020. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2020, 2021, 2022).

NBL EXPERIENCE

David Okwera made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 19 years of age. He scored 10 points in his first game.

Fresh off Melbourne United’s 2021 championship win, the team faced significant roster changes with leading scorer Jock Landale departing to the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs and starting point guard Mitch McCarron becoming Adelaide’s highest-paid local on a new three-year deal. In preparation for the NBL22 season, United moved quickly to retain core pieces, re-signing Jo Lual-Acuil, David Barlow, and Shea Ili. The team welcomed back Jack White, returning from an ACL injury, and bolstered the lineup with Brad Newley (from Sydney) and NZNBL MVP Dion Prewster.

United made headlines by securing NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova on a three-year contract, complemented by signing German prospect Ariel Hukporti under the Next Stars program and Caleb Agada, fresh from representing Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics, as a replacement for Scotty Hopson. The roster was rounded out with the signing of 18-year-old development player David Okwera.

Outside of an initial 0-2 start, United hit their stride, closing December with three consecutive wins and losing only once in January despite playing all games on the road.

In February, United won four of five games, firmly establishing themselves atop the ladder at 12-4. Jo Lual-Acuil (16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 blocks) led United in scoring, earning an All-NBL First Team selection, while Chris Goulding (15.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists) was named to the All-NBL Second Team. Shea Ili (8.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals) made a strong impact off the bench, securing the Sixth Man of the Year award. David Okwera contributed 2.1 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.4 assists, helping Melbourne secure a first-place finish (20-8).

Tasmania forced a Game 3 in the semi-finals, where an injured Chris Goulding’s absence allowed the JackJumpers to take control defensively. United struggled from beyond the arc, with Dellavedova, Agada, White, and Baba shooting a combined 1-for-21. United went 6-for-29 (20%) on threes, while Tasmania converted 10-of-32 (31%). Despite the shooting woes, Melbourne kept it close, but Tasmania claimed a historic 76-73 win, advancing to the Grand Final in their debut season.

2022/23
Following a first-place finish but an early playoff exit, United entered NBL23 as championship favorites. However, key starters departed before the season opener due to injuries and overseas opportunities. Jo Lual-Acuil, keen to stay, received an offer to play in China that was too lucrative to pass up.

Jack White and Matthew Dellavedova, both under contract, secured NBA deals with Denver and Sacramento, respectively, just weeks before the season’s start. These losses left United scrambling for replacements with limited options. United signed Isaac Humphries (from Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (from Illawarra), Rayjon Tucker, Jordan Caroline, and brought back David Barlow from retirement.

Compounding their woes, Next Star Ariel Hukporti suffered a season-ending injury during the NBL Blitz, thrusting Humphries into heavy minutes. United’s limited depth at center saw Barlow, Newley, and Caroline log substantial minutes at the five.

United began the season with an overtime win over New Zealand (101-97), thanks to a stellar performance from Rathan-Mayes (33 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists). Rathan-Mayes (14.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists), initially recruited to lead the second unit, moved into the starting lineup following Shea Ili’s concussion. Ili (8.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists) missed significant time due to the injury, forcing Tucker to assume the point guard role in his absence.

United struggled to find rhythm, beginning the season 5-6 amid calls for an import change. Tucker (17.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists) fell short of expectations, but it was Caroline (5.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists) who failed to find his footing and was subsequently replaced. United then signed Marcus Lee (9.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks) in November, who immediately bolstered their defense.

The turnaround began after a dispiriting loss to Illawarra (93-79). United’s core lineup produced a 16-point win over Brisbane (104-88), with Goulding, Tucker, Lee, Ili, and Rathan-Mayes all contributing effectively. United closed the season on an 11-3 run, narrowly clinching a Play-In Qualifier spot after a crucial win over Adelaide (116-107), aided by a Sydney victory over Perth.

United made history during the season, notably facing eventual champions Sydney on Christmas Day, a match viewed by over 300,000 fans nationwide. Tucker led all scorers with 31 points, though United suffered a 101-80 loss. The season also marked United’s participation in the inaugural NBL Pride Round, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community following Isaac Humphries’ (9.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.7 blocks) coming out.

David Okwera played 27 games, averaging 4.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. His standout game came in a 110-85 win over South East Melbourne Phoenix, where he electrified the crowd with an alley-oop dunk and finished with 13 points (5-6 shooting) and 5 rebounds.

PERTH WILDCATS
2023/24
After missing the playoffs in 2023, Perth revamped its roster, losing Luke Travers to Melbourne but acquiring star Keanu Pinder (via Cairns) and rookie Ben Henshall. Todd Blanchfield and Mitchell Norton were bought out, making way for 18-year-old French prospect Alexandre Sarr (Next Star Program) and imports Jordan Usher and Kristian Doolittle. Perth also signed local talent David Okwera to a multi-year contract.

Perth’s season began with a win over Tasmania, highlighted by Usher’s record-breaking 35-point debut. However, the team then dropped five of their next six games, including a loss to Brisbane that stirred calls for a coaching change. Bryce Cotton’s limited role in the new offense prompted public outcry, including comments from his wife on social media, which made national headlines.

A pivotal loss to Brisbane saw new addition Pinder (13.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals) confidently predict a five-game winning streak. Cotton (22.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals) ended his slump with a 29-point performance against Adelaide on November 4, sparking a resurgence. In December, he scored a season-high 41 points in a win over Sydney, and during an eight-game span between December and January, he averaged 30.4 points, solidifying his MVP case.

Head coach Rillie’s adjustments, including moving Usher (12.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists) to a sixth-man role and starting Hyrum Harris (5.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists), brought defensive intensity. Sarr (9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks) showed promise, becoming a projected top NBA draft pick after a series of clutch performances.

Perth’s mid-season surge led to a second-place finish (17-11) and a return to the playoffs, with Cotton securing his fourth MVP award, surpassing Leroy Loggins and trailing only Andrew Gaze in NBL history.

The Wildcats’ postseason run was cut short by a semifinal loss to champions Tasmania. Okwera appeared in 17 games, averaging 1.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists.

David Okwera currently plays for the Perth Wildcats and has played 73 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 3.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists since entering the league in 2021.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Perth Wildcats – 3 Year Deal (2023-26)
3rd Year Mutual Option

Dan Boyce (829 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.