A POWERHOUSE of the modern National Basketball League (NBL) landscape, the Perth Wildcats will be hoping to return to the postseason action after being eliminated in the semi-finals during their last campaign.

The Wildcats have been one of the biggest contenders over the past few years, having built a consistently strong roster around superstar point guard Bryce Cotton, which has also resulted in high expectations and a winning culture.

However, Perth has not won a title since 2020, and several other sides have put together consecutive strong campaigns, and heading into one of the most even seasons in NBL history, the Wildcats will need to deliver in a big way if they are to make a deep finals push.

Perth Wildcats

Last time around

It was a slow start to the 2023/24 season for the Wildcats, with the team struggling and dropping down the ladder, as the team’s glory days looked all but over. However, Perth finished its campaign strongly, finding form in the back half of the season.

The Wildcats stormed into second spot and locked in a finals spot with weeks to play out, giving them a bit of breathing space in comparison to the rest of the competition. Perth looked in a strong position, and certainly had the finals experience to get the job done in the postseason. However, it came up against the eventual champions in the Tasmania JackJumpers and fell in three games in the semi-final matchup.

The off-season

The Wildcats did not make too many changes over the off-season, instead looking to recharge and go again after coming painfully close to a Championship Series berth. Perth already had the bones of a championship side, and chose to instead surround its current pieces with complimentary players.

Following the resounding success of Alexandre Sarr last season (he was taken at number two overall in the 2024 NBA Draft), the Wildcats have added another Next Star in Izan Almansa. He is a power forward/center that has a big impact inside the paint, and should consistently post double-doubles given his inside scoring and rebounding combination.

Australian-born guard Elijah Pepper will add spice to the roster as well, joining the team after becoming Big Davis’ all time leading scorer in the United States, capping off an impressive college career. He has been posting eye-catching numbers throughout pre-season outings so far, and looms as Perth’s next lights out shooter.

Projected starters (when healthy)

Tai Webster
Bryce Cotton
Dylan Windler
Kristian Doolittle
Keanu Pinder

One to watch

The Wildcats already know they are going to get an outstanding campaign from Cotton if he can stay healthy, but the campaign of Pinder is less clear. The big man was recruited from the Cairns Taipans prior to last season, but was inconsistent with his production, and struggled with injuries at times. If he can continue to the heights he delivered up North, it will go a long way to making the Wildcats a more well-rounded threat on both ends of the floor.