Former Cal Poly player joins the Lakers

March 1, 2017

David Nwaba

A former Cal Poly basketball player, who grew up in Southern California rooting for the Los Angeles Lakers, is now a member of his favorite team.

David Nwaba signed a 10-day contract with the Lakers, making him the first Cal Poly basketball player in the school’s Division 1 era to sign an NBA contract. On Tuesday, Magic Johnson, the new Lakers President of Basketball Operations, announced Nwaba would be joining the team.

Then later in the day, Nwaba played five minutes for the Lakers in their game against the Charlotte Hornets. Nwaba grabbed one rebound and missed his one shot attempt.

Nwaba played at Cal Poly from 2013 to 2016. In his senior season, he led Cal Poly with 12.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Nwaba is one of only 23 players to score more than 1,000 career points at Cal Poly, and he finished 15th in program history with 465 rebounds.

“Dreams come true,” Cal Poly Head Coach Joe Callero wrote on Twitter.

Callero noted that Nwaba earned a scholarship, won a Big West Conference championship and received his degree before making it to the NBA.

Prior to joining the Lakers, Nwaba had been playing with the team’s affiliate in the NBA Development League. Nwaba was averaging 13.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game while playing for the Los Angeles D-Fenders. He had a 64.5 shooting percentage.


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What’s up with a 10-day contract?


They are using as a test. That way no long term commitment that could affect off season moves coming soon. If he tries out well then they may go longer. I think it is a great idea. Test drive with no commitment.


Magic (Johnson) my Man! I’ve watched Nwaba in the D-League and this guy can flat out play! And Magic, I’m impressed with your moves so far (especially holding off on emptying the Staples Center for Cousins) and am looking forward to more banners hangin’ from the rafters….


SLO should be proud to have this gentleman representingThe Mustangs and their community in the Show! Tune in sometimes guys, even in losing you can see some very, very good things with this new and unproven lot…


My other “handle/username” is “L.A.LakersFan Forever” and for those very special spots “DeathtotheCeltics”…


-Remember Andrew Holland-


Love the Lakers. I figure the thumbs downs must be Celtics fans. LOL.


lol


There are Warrior’s fans and even a few Clipper’s fans in the area too. I haven’t been a Laker’s fan since the end of the “Showtime Laker’s” era. If Magic proves to be as good at running the front office as he was at running a fast break, I will consider returning to Laker fandom but it will be hard to pull me away from GS now that they have a class team and organization.


Ron, lighten up dude. Of course there are all kinds of different fans. Point is the Celts are the biggest rivalry of Lakers. A true Showtime fan of the eighties should remember that. What two teams own the most hardware?? Also a true fan doesn’t bandwagon to another successful team. Proud 37 year Laker fan here, GOOD TIMES and bad. Guess you gave up on Dodgers too?


By the way the Lakers are playing this season this kid should become the best player on the team.


He’ll certainly be the most hardworking! They brought him up primarily for his effort defensively.


Good for you David!