'Cut from the same cloth': Doolittle's praise for coach Rillie

Doolittle, in his second season as a Wildcats import, felt he and Rillie were “cut from the same cloth” and credited him for allowing players to be themselves.

“I feel like me and JR are cut from the same cloth. We have very similar personalities in terms of our dedication to winning,” Doolittle told The Dribble podcast.

“When you have a good coach, as a player it is very refreshing - especially when you have dealt with coaches that aren’t so good. He allows his players to be themselves, but at the same time nobody abuses that.

“They understand that is a perk of the coach that we have. Him allowing us to be ourselves only makes us want to go and play hard for him.”

Doolittle said while he was happy to wait until the end of the season to complete contract negotiations, things were looking positive and he looks to lock in Perth as his summer home for the future.

“Stability is something that is very important to me. You get more comfortable when you become familiar with certain surroundings,” Doolittle said.

“I consider Puerto Rico and the team I go to there (in the winter) as very special to me.

“I’ve won multiple championships there and you have a certain bond when you do that.

“Perth has been great to me and my family. We are in talks right now to hopefully make this a long term home - whatever the maximum is they can offer.

“I definitely believe that me getting out of the French situation and getting here was the best thing that has happened to me. Not only because of Perth but because of the exposure the league provides.”

The 27-year-old has had an excellent second season at the Wildcats and become a real leader around the team.

He’s averaged 13.8 points and 7.1 rebounds so far in NBL25 including beating his career-high points tally in back-to-back games since returning from a groin injury with 27 and 33 respectively.

The Wildcats are back in action on Friday night at RAC Arena against South East Melbourne Phoenix.

It’s the first game in a Round 19 double-header, finishing on the road against Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday.