Beware-a-Okwera

Players experience breakout seasons in different ways. For some, like Dane Pineau in NBL20, it comes with a change of clubs. For some, like Matt Kenyon in NBL22, it comes with being afforded that one final opportunity at the top level. For others, like David Okwera, it comes with a roll of the dice and the faith of the coaches.

As a development player in NBL22, Okwera averaged a solid if unspectacular seven minutes per game. After being elevated to a main roster spot this season Okwera is ably filling the gap left in United’s line-up due to injuries to Next Star Ariel Hukporti and import Jordan Caroline.

The rangy and bouncy forward has had to play a variety of roles this season. He’s had to run with Keanu Pinder in transition against the Taipans, he’s had to crash and bash down low with Alan Williams against the Phoenix, and he’s had to get out to the perimeter with Xavier Cooks against the Kings. All tough matchups, and all matchups he’s come through with flying colours.

So much responsibility has been handed to Okwera this season that it becomes so easy to forget that he’s only recently turned 20. Where Melbourne United have struggled at times, he’s continued to thrive.

“I feel like that DP (development player) year helped me a lot,” Okwera told NBL Media. “It’s paying off right now. Just learning from the veterans for that year helped me so much, and training against the guys and getting around the system.

“Learning from (Dave) Barlow has been a big help, and I can see improvements from last season to this year. Just learning from guys like Barlow and Jack (White) and Mase (Peatling).”

Dave Barlow. Jack White. Mason Peatling. In those three players Okwera has a handy list of mentors to have as a young player – and you can see the pieces Okwera has taken from each into his game.

That confidence from the three-point line that Chris Goulding so vivaciously praised has shades of Barlow. The ‘junkyard-dog’ defensive mentality screams Jack White – and the physicality on both ends of the floor has Mason Peatling written all over it.

It’s fitting then that with Peatling injured, Barlow forced out of position and White now playing in the NBA, that Okwera has had to replace or refine the roles the trio played for the successful Melbourne United side of last season.

That being said, they’re still searching on how to replicate the same efforts of NBL22’s top-place finish.

“Out main focus is we want to be one of the best defensive teams in the league,” Okwera said.

“Our sole focus is on that. Coming out and doing well sets the standard for us – we know we’re capable of doing that. We should be doing that all season.

“It’s still early in the season and we’re still learning how to gel together. I think we’ve all seen flashes of how good we can be and I think against South East (Melbourne) we showed that.

“I think throughout the season we’ll keep making progress and, hopefully, when playoffs come we’ll be in good form.”

As Okwera continues to build his reputation in the NBL, his nickname ‘D-Sav’ should become more prevalent on the lips of fans around the league.

While it’s one of the best nicknames in the competition, right up there alongside Alan ‘Big Sauce’ Williams and ‘King Kouat’ Noi, its origins aren’t as clear.

“I was given the nickname ‘D-Sav’ in high school by one of my mates – shoutout Harry. He just called me that one day while we were hooping.

“Honestly, I don’t know [where it came from]. He just called me it one day out of the blue and since then it’s stuck with me.

“We have a lot of mutual friends and they seemed to pick it up, and it just spread.”

Whether you call him David Okwera or D-Sav, this kid is one to watch for the remainder of NBL23.

United coach Dean Vickerman has been vocal in his desire to sign another big to replace the injured Ariel Hukporti – and you would imagine such a signing would limit Okwera’s court-time as the season progresses.

“I’m not too sure what will happen there,” Okwera said of any potential roster change.

“I have full trust in what Dean wants to do, and I know he knows what I’m capable of.”