Knight impresses Rillie in winning debut

Brandon Knight’s first appearance for the Wildcats gave the experienced guard an opportunity to find his feet in the NBL, with head coach John Rillie encouraged by his debut against the New Zealand Breakers.

Knight joined a Wildcats side that recorded their fourth consecutive win on Saturday night, pulling away in the final quarter for a 100-84 win at RAC Arena to improve to 4-1.

Saturday’s win over the Breakers gave Knight valuable time on the floor to build chemistry with his new teammates and put his experience to work in front of the Red Army.

“Really, really happy with just his whole week,” Rillie said.

“I think it was just good that he could get out there in front of the fans and just be a part of an NBL game. That’s a step, and I was happy with where he was at with it all.”

Knight’s arrival gives Perth another player capable of creating opportunities for others and contributing to an offence that is finding production across the roster.

While Dylan Windler’s shooting helped Perth take control against the Breakers, Rillie expects Knight’s own influence to take different forms as he settles into the team.

“I actually think for him, different nights will look differently because he’ll play the right way,” Rillie said.

“He can impact the game in a few different ways.”

That versatility should allow Knight to both initiate Perth’s offence and benefit from the opportunities his teammates create. Rillie pointed to open three-point looks as one way the guard could contribute through the Wildcats’ ball movement.

JR also highlighted Knight’s understanding of the game, with his experience evident in the way he reads situations and manages the pace.

“He just understands how to play the game, the composure, the tempo that he plays with in different moments,” Rillie said.

Having completed his first outing, Knight now has a game to draw on as Perth prepare for their first road-trip of the season against the Sydney Kings.

Rillie believes that exposure to the rhythm of an NBL contest will help Knight take another step, with training and time alongside his teammates continuing to build his familiarity with the Wildcats’ system.

“He’s only going to get better the longer he gets accustomed to the NBL, our team, all of that,” Rillie said.

“I thought it was a really good first-up hit out for him.”

The Wildcats travel to Sydney to take on the 3-1 Kings on Saturday, 17 October.