"Hot commodity": Teams circle rising local big man

As club start to finalise their rosters for the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season, a number of clubs still have a number of vacant spots to fill.

One of those positions is that of a local big and one name near the top of the list, should he become available, is David Okwera.

The former Perth Wildcat had been linked to the US college system, reportedly attracting interest from BYU.

But on the latest The Marketplace, presented by Paywise, ESPN’s Olgun Uluc explained that it is becoming more and more likely Okwera will stay in the NBL.

“As of today, it's seeming unlikely that he'll be able to find his NCAA eligibility, which means that all of a sudden, he becomes I think a hot commodity on the NBL Free Agent market because of how scarce quality local bigs are,” Uluc said on The Marketplace, presented by Paywise.

“The Sydney Kings are a that have engaged and are speaking with him, and the Illawarra Hawks were too, but with Tyler Harvey becoming an Australian citizen, there's less of a need for a local there.

“There Perth Wildcats [his former team] are still engaged in talks with him too.

“It’s a question now if he wants to run it back in a place where he’s been before and comfortable with [or a new spot].”

Fellow panellist Pete Hooley believes reigning champion Sydney could be a good fit, especially on the back of CODE Sports’ reporting about Keli Leaupepe sustaining another knee injury.

“They [Sydney] have Harry Wessels, who they've just signed and have Xavier Cooks who can play up,” Hooley said.

“So this is where the David Okwera conversation comes up and I like [the fit] if the college thing [doesn’t eventuate].

“Another option apart from college guys not getting cleared like Okwera is picking up the phone to Liam Santamaria and seeing if there are any Next Stars able to step in.”

Okwera has five seasons to his name, with Melbourne and Perth, amassing 110 games, while averaging 3.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists per contest.