NBA pre-season: What you need to know about the Perth Wildcats

James McKern

NBA pre-season: What you need to know about the Perth Wildcats image

The NBA pre-season isn't far from getting underway and this year more Aussie teams than ever before will take part.

MORE:  When are Australian teams playing in the NBA preseason

Five teams are making the journey over and the Perth Wildcats, along with Melbourne, will get two bites at the pie.

The most successful club in NBL history with eight championships will prove a stern test for both the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets.

Perth will take on the Jazz on Sunday, September 30 before a meeting with the Nuggets a little under a week later on October 6.

Bryce Cotton will provide the firepower for the Wildcats after averaging just under 20 points per game in 2017-18 on his way to claiming the MVP.

Joining Cotton in the backcourt will be one of th NBL's most feared defenders in Damian Martin who will harass the opposing teams best player.

Head coach Trevor Gleeson has enjoyed phenomenal success since taking over the Wildcats in 2013 and he'll have his hands full trying to stop two NBA powerhouses.

A versatile list capable of switching from almost every position, the Wildcats will keep both the Jazz and Nuggets honest.

Keep an eye out for Clint Steindl and his sharpshooting abilities, drift off of him and he'll make you pay. 

Big men Tom Jervis and Angus Brandt will have their hands well and truly full trying to stem the impact of Rudy Gobert and then Nikola Jokic. 

 

FULL SQUAD: Perth Wildcats

NumberNamePositionHeightNationality
3Nicholas KayF2.06 m (6 ft 7 in)Australia
4Greg HireF2.03 m (6 ft 6 in)Australia
8Mitchell NortonG1.87 m (6 ft 1 in)Australia
11Bryce CottonG1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)United States
12Angus BrandtC2.08 m (6 ft 8 in)Australia
13Tom JervisC2.11 m (6 ft 9 in)Australia
23Terrico WhiteG1.96 m (6 ft 4 in)United States
24Jesse WagstaffF2.03 m (6 ft 6 in)Australia
25Rhys VagueF2.05 m (6 ft 7 inAustralia
35Clint SteindlF2.00 m (6 ft 5 in)Australia
53Damian MartinG1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)Australia
Lochlan CummingsF1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)Australia

 

James McKern