'Congratulations Bryce': Crawford's nod to Cotton as record breaks

Before Cotton's staggering 59-point haul in Sunday's victory over New Zealand at RAC Arena, Crawford had the top-two individual scores in Wildcats history - in consecutive months during the 1987 season.

The man they call the 'Alabama Slammer' amassed 57 points against Melbourne Tigers in September 1987, breaking his own 52-point record from a month earlier against West Sydney.

The pair have three of the four 50-point games in Wildcats history, with Roland Brooks the other against Adelaide in August, 1985.

"It's fantastic," Crawford told Wildcats Media from the US.

"He had a hot hand and his teammates were getting the ball to him, they could see that he was in that zone so it's good when you've got your teammates supporting you.

"Congratulations Bryce, if anyone was going to do it I'm glad you were the person to do it.

"I love how you control yourself and how you've handled yourself at the Wildcats, and how you've brought more championships to the Wildcats, so congratulations on a well done job."

Cotton, a four-time NBL MVP, shot 18 of 28 from the field including seven triples, while he missed just one of his 17 free-throw attempts in a truly remarkable display.

He not only broke Crawford's record, he also beat Bullet James Batemon's 51-point haul which was the previous best of the modern 40-minute era set just 15 days earlier.

Crawford had a legendary NBL career, playing 504 games including 371 for the Wildcats.

He has his No.7 jersey hanging in the rafters at RAC Arena after a decorated stint with Perth which included three championships.

The now 64-year-old still holds the record for the most rebounds (3354) and most blocked shots (576) of all-time in Wildcats history as well as the most field goals made in a single game (24). 

Wildcats' 50-point club

59 - Bryce Cotton - December, 2024 v NZ
57 - James Crawford - September, 1987 v Melbourne Tigers
52 - James Crawford - August, 1987 v West Sydney
51 - Roland Brooks - August, 1985 v Adelaide