Will Hong Kong’s David Muoka make basketball history in NBA Draft?

A confident David Muoka could be set to make basketball history for Hong Kong after declaring for next week’s NBA Draft.

The centre would be the first player from the city to reach the game’s highest level if one of the US league’s 30 teams were to take him during the event at the Barclays Centre in New York.

And Muoka, born and raised in Hong Kong before attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said he planned to enjoy every moment leading up to the draft, which begins on Wednesday night on the East Coast.

“I am feeling excited and confident about what the future has in store for me,” the 23-year-old said. “I am taking it day-by-day and soaking in every moment.

“The recognition is nice to have as a reminder that the hard work always pays off, and I’m hoping to be drafted mid-late second round, but taking it step-by-step until draft night.”

Unlike in recent years, this year’s draft will take place over two nights. The first round will be held at the home of the Brooklyn Nets, with the second round taking place at ESPN’s studios in Manhattan a day later.

For the third year in a row, the draft will consist of only 58 picks instead of the typical 60, after the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns each lost their second-round pick for violating the NBA’s tampering rules during free agency.

And the former Long Island Nets centre backed himself to make the NBA this summer, whether he was drafted or not.

“Whether that’s through the NBA draft or signing with a team as an undrafted free agent, I feel my experience in the NBA G League over the past season has helped prepare me mentally and physically for the biggest stage,” he said.

In 33 regular season games with the Nets, the West Island School graduate averaged 4.5 points and 5.0 rebounds. That improved to 8.7 points and 8.3 rebounds in the play-offs, before the Nets were eliminated by the Maine Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Muoka said he had been training in Arizona since his G League debut season wrapped up in early April.

“I’ve been working out with a trainer sharpening the basics and expanding my offensive game, looking forward to showcasing that during summer league,” he said.

Regardless of the draft outcome next week, Muoka will next play in the NBA 2k25 Summer League in Las Vegas, one of the four organised by the NBA, from July 12 to 22. The other three Summer Leagues will be held, in Sacramento, San Francisco and Salt Lake City.