{"id":39189,"date":"2024-04-19T10:39:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T00:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/?p=39189"},"modified":"2024-04-19T10:39:02","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T00:39:02","slug":"perth-adds-pinch-of-pepper-with-latest-signing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/perth-adds-pinch-of-pepper-with-latest-signing\/","title":{"rendered":"Perth adds pinch of Pepper with latest signing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ONE of the most exciting aspects of the National Basketball League (NBL) off-season is the addition of young talent to Australia’s premier competition, with Elijah Pepper <\/strong>the next rising Aussie to put pen to paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following an outstanding collegiate career, Pepper has agreed to a two-year deal with the Perth Wildcats<\/a> ahead of the 2024\/25 season, and will be one of the most exciting prospects in the NBL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Elijah Pepper<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Combo Guard | 6’4″ | 200lbs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Born in Shepparton, Victoria, Pepper and his family relocated to the United States, where he rose through the basketball ranks to book a spot at the University of California, following a decorated high school career at Selah High School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standing six-foot-four, he became the team’s number-one guard for the UC Davis Aggies, competing in the Big West division and making a name for himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that Pepper’s college career has wrapped, he is now the all-time leading scorer for the Aggies, and was the recipient of numerous awards during his time in the NCAAM, including the Big West Player of the Year in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After missing out on selection at the NBA Draft, he returned to the Aggies to post career-high numbers of 22.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, and was the leading Australian scorer in the NCAAM this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now returning to his home country to join the NBL – which is growing on the global stage – Pepper will play alongside superstar guard Bryce Cotton<\/a>. There is no better player to learn from in the NBL, and the youngster will benefit in a big way as he looks to further his basketball journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given he is from Victoria, Pepper will be signed as a local player, allowing the Wildcats to keep their import spot open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With an impressive wingspan, proven scoring ability and a solid blueprint for lockdown defending, a move to the NBL appears the right move for one of Australia’s most productive players at college level over the past few years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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