'Dream come true': Academy product Gerovich earns Wildcats DP spot

The 20-year-old, 200cm forward will join the team he supported growing up for the NBL25 season in a reward for his efforts at the Academy, NBL1 West competition and training with the Wildcats.

Gerovich, who received the good news from Wildcats head coach John Rillie, said it was a “dream come true” to get his first contract at the Wildcats.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” he said.

“I’ve had a membership for most years so it’s a dream come true to get this opportunity with the Wildcats.

Gerovich spoke glowingly about his time with the Wildcats Academy under director and assistant coach Keegan Crawford’s tutelage.

“It was very beneficial, being around Wildcats people like Keegan Crawford and embracing the Wildcats’ culture,” he said.

“It definitely helped me feel more comfortable coming to Wildcats practice over the pre-season.”

Hard work was a common theme when describing the Willetton junior, with Crawford echoing Rillie’s sentiment.

“Any time you can reward someone for the hard work and effort they put into their craft, and Tom is just a great example of what someone has done with their basketball over the last few years and especially in my time here in Perth,” Rillie said.

“It’s easy to reward someone with the effort, attitude and mindset he has to all of this.

“I would call him an everyday guy, you know what you’re getting from him, whether it’s Monday, Friday, game day or you’re coming into the tough part of the season where you need someone to come in with a consistent work ethic.”

Crawford, who’s also an assistant coach at the Wildcats, expressed his pride to see his Academy product rewarded with a DP spot.

“I’m super proud of Gero,” Crawford said.

“He’s a great product of the pathway setup here in WA.

“He’s been part of our Academy and a training player here for a while, so to see him rewarded and stick with it and be a part of our roster is really special.

“Gero is a worker, he’s one of the strongest kids around.

“His biggest strengths are his physicality and he’s a smart player.

“He started through our Perth Wildcats Academy last year and through that he was a training player at some points during our mini camps.

Wildcats general manager of basketball Danny Mills said the was thrilled to give young tall, who averaged 5.73 points and 3.54 rebounds for NBL1 West grand finalists Willetton this year.

Mills said Gerovich’s signing was a great example of the pathway the Rio Tinto Wildcats Academy provides to WA basketball prospects.

“We’re thrilled to sign local product Tom as a development player for this upcoming season and provide with him an opportunity to continue his development at the professional level,”

“We’ve had a first-hand look at Tom’s talent, character, and work ethic over the last few years in our program, and it’s exciting to give a graduate from our Rio Tinto Wildcats Academy who’s a local Willetton junior and represented our State at the highest level their first professional contract.

“It’s a testament to Tom and his commitment to his craft, but also our Wildcats Academy coaches and provides great example of the pathway both Rio Tinto and our club are working hard together on to allow young players the opportunity to realise their dreams.”