Emerging big man returns for NBL26

The athletic 22-year-old power forward has spent the past two seasons at the Wildcats after starting his NBL career as a Development Player at Melbourne United.

Okwera has made 76 NBL appearances including 40 as a Wildcats player after returning home to Perth ahead of the NBL24 season.

The WA-bred 213cm talent played 23 games last season, averaging eight minutes per game including several starting opportunities, for three points and two rebounds including a career-high 12 points against Brisbane on November 29.

Okwera was excited to return to Perth as the Wildcats chase an 11th NBL title after falling one-point shy of last season’s championship series.

“I’m excited to return back to the Wildcats for a third season,” Okwera said.

Perth is home. I love playing in front of my family, friends and the entire Red Army at RAC Arena.

I’m looking forward to furthering my development with more opportunities under the Wildcats.

“Building off last season and taking the steps to improve is the direction we’re focusing on, we look to push for the 11th banner.”

Wildcats General Manager of Basketball Operations Danny Mills welcomed Okwera’s return and backed him to continue to improve as a player.

“We’re looking forward to David continuing to develop and grow as a player in our program in NBL26,” Mills said.

“David, who’s still only just 22, showed some promising signs last season at both ends of the floor.

“He’s got some exciting attributes and we believe he can keep building at NBL level and become a consistent contributor.”

Wildcats Head Coach John Rillie sees Okwera as an important piece of his team’s front-court.

“We see David as a crucial piece of our front-court roster,” Rillie said.

“His development has been steady in his first two seasons at the club and we’ve seen some exciting glimpses of what he can do at NBL level.

“We look forward to David continuing that growth in our program next season.”

It’s been a big week of player movement for the Wildcats after adding talented Adelaide 36ers pair Sunday Dech and Lat Mayen as free agents.

Two-time NBL champion Dech returns to the Wildcats on a three-year deal, while athletic forward Mayen is also locked in on a multi-year contract.

Mayen and Dech join Development Player Cameron Huefner as new signings for the Wildcats for NBL26.

It comes after the re-signings of star imports Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler on multi-year deals, while evergreen veteran Wagstaff is also locked in for a 17th NBL season.

Prolific guard Elijah Pepper and DP Tom Gerovich are also back for another year.