David Muoka is hoping to be the first player born and raised in Hong Kong to play in the NBA after he made history by becoming the city’s first to be drafted by the competition’s development league.
Muoka was the third pick in the minor league organisation NBA G League’s draft on Saturday, being selected by Capital City Go-Go of Washington out of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). With hopes of reaching the highest level of professional basketball, he will enter the NBA draft next June.
“By playing in the G League, I can unlock the full potential of my game at the professional level with the help of NBA-experienced coaches and staff,” said the 22-year-old, who left his birthplace in 2018 after graduating from West Island School in Pok Fu Lam.
“This is to further prepare myself to play in the NBA by playing against past, current and future NBA players and showcase my skill set against that high level of talent in front of the NBA front offices and personnel.”
Born to a Nigerian father and an English mother, Muoka received a scholarship to study at Lamar University in Texas after spending a year at a college-preparatory school at Athlete Institute in Canada in 2019.
The 6ft 10in (2.08 metres) centre was the “rim protector” the Lamar Cardinals. Muoka averaged 5.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks his second year to be named the defensive player of the year of the Southland Conference.
After transferring to UNLV for two more seasons, the Hongkonger received interest from multiple colleges, including Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas State and San Diego State, vying to recruit him for his final year of college basketball.
However, Muoka is forgoing his final year of college eligibility, having instead decided to enter his name in the G League draft.
“NBA dreams seemed very far-fetched to most being born and raised in Hong Kong but I still chased it,” he said. “[Being drafted] means anything is possible and that you should never let anyone tell you what you’re capable of.
“It’s great to know that all my hard work paid off, but at the same time, this is just the beginning so there’s still a lot more work to be put in to get to the NBA next year.
“Knowing that I am making my family proud is so important and I want to keep going for them.”
Muoka also hoped his fellow Hongkongers would take his story as “a sign” to chase their dreams.
“The most important people to me on my journey believed in me,” he said. “My family, Ahad Abid [my basketball coach at West Island School] and my close friends.
“I have endless amounts of love for the city that raised me, with so many everlasting memories being made, I plan to make many more by representing Hong Kong basketball with full pride soon.”
The new G League season, which includes the 16-game Showcase Cup and followed by a 34-game regular season, tips off on November 10 and features a record 31 teams. The season will conclude next April.
