Japanese B1 League round 52 best performance: David Nwaba (by Hoops Agents)

- April 14, 2026

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

David Nwaba

David Nwaba

American-Nigerian Swingman David Nwaba (195-G/F-1993) put on an amazing game in the last round for San-en NeoPhoenix, receiving a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for round 52.
The 32-year old player had a double-double of 30 points and 12 rebounds, while his team beat Sendai 89ers (31-21) 104-99. NeoPhoenix maintains the 5th position in their group in the Japanese B1 League. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier this season. San-en NP will need more victories to improve their 31-21 record. In the team's last game Nwaba had a remarkable 73.3% from 2-point range. It's his second year at NeoPhoenix and it's hard to imagine this team without him. Former Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo University star has very solid stats this year. Nwaba is in league's top in points (5th best: 20.1ppg) and averages impressive 1.3bpg,2.0spg and 62.7% FGP. Worth to mention Nwaba played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

The second best player in last round's games was young New Zealand Yannick Wetzell (206-C-1996) of Akita Northern Happinets. Wetzell had a very good evening with a double-double of 28 points and 15 rebounds. It was enough for Happinets to edge the higher-ranked Koshigaya A. (#9, 17-35) 87-85. The game was between two teams which are definitely not main contenders for the top position in East. Akita NH keeps 13th position. 42 lost games are too many comparing to just ten victories Happinets managed to get this year. Wetzell is a newcomer at Akita NH, but is already one of team's top players.

Third on the list of top players last round was Jamaican center Kofi Cockburn (213-C-1999) of Hiroshima Dragonflies (#6). Cockburn got into 30-points club by scoring exactly 30 points in the last round. He went also for twelve rebounds . Despite Cockburn's great performance the Dragonflies lost 79-88 to slightly lower-ranked Sunrockers Sh. (#8, 22-30). But his team cannot count on just a single shooter as he also needs help of the other teammates. The last thing Hiroshima D. needs is to lose another game like this one. They lose more and more distance to the top teams in the East. Their record is 29 victories and 23 lost games. Cockburn has a great season in Japan. After 48 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in rebounds with 9.4rpg (8th best).

Other top performing players last week:
4. Jake Layman (206-F-1994) of Sea Horses M. - 25 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists
5. Trey Porter (210-F-1996) of Chiba - 24 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists
6. Trey Kell III (193-G-1996) of Toyama G. - 24 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists
7. Stanley Johnson (201-SF-1996) of Nagasaki - 29 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists
8. DJ Newbill (193-G-1992) of Tochigi Brex - 23 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists
9. Kai Sotto (220-C-2002) of Koshigaya A. - 17 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists
10. Yante Maten (201-F-1996) of San-en NP - 22 points and 7 rebounds

The Player of the week is selected based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.
The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.
The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3*(REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4*(2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3*(2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3*(3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

The Player of the Week awards are presented by Hoops Agents. Hoops Agents is the most complete website about the agencies and players they represent. With more than twenty years of experience, Hoops Agents is already recognized as the most reliable destination for the players who wish to continue their career in professional basketball and are searching for a reputable and connected representation. Hoops Agents is also most complete source of transactions news.

Tags : DAVID NWABA, SAN-EN NEOPHOENIX, JAPANESE BASKETBALL,