David Ugochukwu Nwaba[1]// ⓘ (born January 14, 1993) is an American professional basketball player for the San-en NeoPhoenix of the Japanese B.League.

Nwaba attended University High School in Los Angeles, where he was a two-time All-Western League Most Valuable Player honoree and all-league first team selection.

[2] While initially joining Hawaii Pacific, Nwaba redshirted the 2011–12 season and transferred to Santa Monica College in 2012.

[2] As a junior in 2014–15, Nwaba finished second in Cal Poly's lineup and 15th among Big West Conference players with 11.4 points per game.

[2] As a senior in 2015–16, Nwaba earned All-Big West Honorable Mention selection after averaging 12.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 30 games.

[7] In his G-League debut on November 11, 2016, Nwaba played 21 minutes and recorded 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks and 1 steal as the D-Fenders defeated the Iowa Energy 127 - 98.

The team would make the playoffs and despite Nwaba's averages of 23.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists, they would be eliminated in the first round by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in three games.

[10] That night, Nwaba made his NBA debut in a 109–104 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, playing a little over five minutes and only recording one rebound as a statistic.

[16] Early in the 2017 season, Nwaba entered the starting lineup multiple times and was lauded by his teammates for his ability to contest shots.

Unfortunately, he would face more nagging injuries and would miss another 18 games from December 26, 2018 to January 29, 2019 due to a sprained left ankle.

On September 30, 2022, Nwaba was traded, along with Trey Burke, Sterling Brown, and Marquese Chriss, to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Derrick Favors, Ty Jerome, Maurice Harkless, Théo Maledon and a future second-round pick.

[28] In his debut for the Cruise during the regular season on December 27, 2022, Nwaba recorded 8 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in 34 minutes in a 108 - 115 loss to the Capital City Go-Go.