Los Angeles Lakers signed David Nwaba for his second 10-day-contract. Coach Luke Walton put him as starter on Sunday night game against Philadelphia76ers.
Coach Walton's plan to put Nwaba in starting line up on Sunday was reported by Los Angeles Times. Coach Walton was interested to try many options and giving opportunity to young players to become the starters as the regular season is near to its closure. However, that will surely put Nick Young to the bench to give Nwaba opportunity to play as starter.
"Nick’s been absolutely great for us all year,” Coach Walton said. He also explained that playing him off-the-bench did not mean a punishment for him. "We’re thinking about making that move and committing even more so to the youth.”
The move is necessary to simulate the future team as Lakers will not make the playoff this season. Therefore, coach Walton wanted to see the outlook of his young players, according to CBS Sports. He also played young center Ivica Zubac as the starter.
In the Sunday night 116-118 lost against the 76ers. Nwaba did not perform well as expected, but he had the opportunity to feel being the starter for Los Angeles Lakers, his hometown team. Playing as shooting guard, Nwaba only made 6 points and only one rebound and block in his 16 minutes of playing time. Jordan Clarkson led the team in scoring with 30 points and also tallied 8 assists.
Nwaba played his college basketball in Cal Poly for three years in 2013 to 2016 before making himself eligible for NBA Draft. However, he went undrafted in 2016 NBA Draft and joined the NBA D-League team Reno Bighorns. Later on, he joined the Lakers affiliate D-team Los Angeles D-Fenders on Oct. 30, 2016.
The 24-year-old player received an NBA Call-Up with the Lakers on Feb. 28 as signed his first 10-day contract. After his first contract ended on March 9, Lakers decided to sign him for another 10-day. Watch how Nwaba scores his first basket for LA Lakers in the game against Boston Celtis on March 3 at Staples Center Los Angeles below:
