SEASON 2024/25 of the National Basketball League (NBL) is already approaching the halfway mark, and the race for a top six spot is as tight as ever.

Now 10 rounds into the fixture has seen record-breaking performances, dominant team displays and thrilling finishes as the NBL produces its most exciting season yet, with the championship race wide open as it stands.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be putting each side under the microscope, and the first side on the cards for today is the Perth Wildcats, who withstood an injury to their most important player and look set to make a charge towards the top two in the back half of the fixture.

Perth Wildcats

Record as of Round 10 – six wins, seven losses

How its happened

The Wildcats looked in serious trouble to start the season, sitting with a record of two wins and six losses and falling behind the eight ball. To make matters worse, Bryce Cotton suffered a broken rib and was forced to sit on the sidelines for the better part of a month in a devastating blow to the team, losing the four-time and reigning NBL MVP. However, pressure creates diamonds, and Perth remarkably won three of the five games Cotton missed, and it looked a blessing in disguise as the opportunity created in his absence allowed other players on the roster to step up. Now sitting inside the top six, the Wildcats are well-paced for a charge up the standings, and Cotton should have more help this time around.

MVP – Bryce Cotton

Although he missed a large chunk of the season, he remains the Wildcats’ most important player, as evidenced by his 33-point performance in his return to the team. At his best, there is no player in the NBL that can match Cotton’s output on the offensive end, and he can take over a match at any given stage with his unmatched scoring ability. He is still top-five in scoring with 19.5 points per game, an average that is significantly brought down due to the zero points he produced against New Zealand where he sustained the broken ribs in the opening minutes of the match. Now back fit and firing, Cotton will play the most important role in Perth’s quest for another championship.

Where to from here?

Having survived the period without their star point guard and found improved performances from players such as Ben Henshall, who has stepped up in a big way and averaged 13 points per game in Cotton’s absence. Big man Keanu Pinder also realised his potential in this period, highlighted by a 34-point performance to lead his side to victory. Surrounding Cotton with productive pieces has proven an uphill battle in seasons gone by, but with his teammates bringing more confidence in their ability into the second half of the season, it could spell trouble for opposition teams.