NBL24 season review - Jesse Wagstaff

After struggling for regular court time early in the season, the 37-year-old bounced back to have a massive impact in turning the Wildcats’ fortunes around.

Wagstaff averaged 7.4 points per game from December onwards, leading from the front to help Perth earn a remarkable top-two finish after a 2-5 start.

He polled Gordon Ellis Medal MVP votes in eight out of 14 games from early December to late January.

His overall season contribution of 6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game was his best output since 2020-21.

Wagstaff, who’s captained the club for the past four seasons, became just the second Wildcat to reach 450 games after club legend Ricky Grace early last season.

He finished the season just 10 games shy of breaking Grace’s record and will get the chance to in NBL25 after signing on this month, which he said was an easy call.

“In previous seasons I’ve wanted some time off, just to see how things unfolded, this year my body felt good and I still felt good with what I was contributing on court so I was probably mentally ready earlier to make that decision to go again,” Wagstaff said after committing to a 16th season with the club.

Jesse Wagstaff - NBL24 stats

Points: 6.5 per game

Rebounds: 3.0

Assists: 1.1