David Nwaba
An undrafted guard who clawed his way from junior college to the NBA, defining a career through relentless defensive hustle.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American basketball player·Birthday: January 14·Millennials
Biography
David Nwaba's path to professional basketball is a testament to sheer will. Unrecruited out of high school, he began at Santa Monica College, a junior college, before transferring to Cal Poly. He went undrafted in 2016, but his reputation as a tenacious, athletic defender earned him a spot with the Los Angeles Lakers after a standout Summer League. Nwaba carved out a niche as a high-energy wing, known for his explosive dunks and ability to guard multiple positions. His journey saw him play for several NBA teams, including the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets, where he provided valuable minutes off the bench. Though injuries have been a challenge, his story remains a blueprint for perseverance, proving that a player can forge an NBA identity without a superstar's scoring touch.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
David was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned an NBA contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017 after going undrafted and impressing in the Summer League.
- Recorded a career-high 21 points and 9 rebounds for the Chicago Bulls in a 2018 game against the Miami Heat.
- Played over 200 NBA games across five different franchises as a valued defensive specialist.
Did You Know?
He majored in Business Administration at Cal Poly.
His father, Sunday Nwaba, was a professional soccer player in Nigeria.
He wore number 11 for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the same number worn by Kyrie Irving before him.
“I just want to be known as a guy who gave it his all every single night.”
