'Finding the right fit': Wildcats in no rush to sign third import
16 Jul
1
min read


The majority of last season's roster, which finished second on the home-and-away ladder on the way to a semi-final berth, have already committed to next season, including four-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton and fellow import Kristian Doolittle.
Every local spot is already locked in, with Australian-born US college star Elijah Pepper taking up the last position.
Pepper is one of just two new faces at this stage, alongside Spanish Next Star Izan Almansa who replaces No.2 NBA draft pick Alex Sarr.
Speaking at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Mills revealed the Wildcats weren't set on a specific position for their third import.
"We've got a lot of guys returning off a team that we really liked and had success with last year, so for us it's about finding the right fit," Mills explained.
"We had some success last year with some line-ups we feel very confident about going into the season with, so it's about looking at multiple different positions and finding a guy that fits in with Bryce, Keanu (Pinder), Kristian, Tai (Webster), Izan and Hyrum Harris and these guys who we know are going to play big minutes for us this year."
Mills said there was no rush completing the import puzzle with plenty of international talent on the market.
"We're open, you have to be in the NBL," he said.
"We're a transient league in terms of guys coming there and maybe using it as a stepping stone to get to the next level, whether that's the Euroleague or getting drafted to the NBA.
"We've got a lot of open communication with a lot of agents right now and players, and we're excited about the market.
"We think there's definitely some players that would be very good fits for our roster and we'll take as long as we need to get it done, but we're excited about where it could head."
Mills is one of several Wildcats staff in the US for Summer League including head coach John Rillie, who's part of New Orleans' coaching department, and assistant coach Keegan Crawford (Utah Jazz).

16 Jul
Mills Provides Update from NBA Summer League

11 Jul
Wildcats Academy NAIDOC Week Showcase

10 Jul
Shawn & Dylan Redhage: Like Father, Like Son

9 Jul
Wildcats Off-Season Weekly Wrap

7 Jul
Noa for Next Star

4 Jul
Martin joins San Antonio Spurs coaching staff for NBA Summer League

2 Jul
Perth Wildcats Off-Season Weekly Wrap

1 Jul
From Japan to the Jungle: Sunday Dech on NBL Select Trip and Perth Wildcats Next Chapter

30 Jun
Huefner Putting in the Work as Pre-Season Looms

27 Jun
From the Cockburn Cougars to the Perth Wildcats Academy

26 Jun
Wildcats set for NBL Blitz in Canberra

25 Jun
Sunday Dech Ready to Represent the Wildcats for the NBL Select Team in Japan

24 Jun
Off-Season Weekly Wrap: Wins All Round as Wildcats Dominate NBL1

21 Jun
From the Perth Redbacks, to the Perth Wildcats Academy.

20 Jun
Perth Wildcats NBL26 Schedule Revealed

16 Jun
HoopsFest Returns to Perth
Support your team with the latest gear
Grab your latest team releases before they're gone.

Get the latest Team Updates
Breaking news & special offers. Direct to your inbox.


