Pepper: I want to come here and help the team win

The prolific guard, who touched down in Perth for the first time on Tuesday evening, signed his first professional contract with the Wildcats after a dominant college career in the US with UC Davis.

When asked what he wanted to achieve in his debut year as a pro, Pepper’s answer was simple.

“Just winning - that’s my big goal,” Pepper said.

“I want to come here and help the team win, whatever they need and whatever coach John Rillie asks of me.

“My goal is just to get playing time and help the team win.

Selah ✈️ Perth.

Elijah Pepper touched down in Australia last night for the first time since he was in high school! We had a chat to him on arrival, take a listen ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Jj39Gq05Cb

— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) July 24, 2024

“I hate not being able to compete, that’s almost a pet peeve of mine... people that don’t compete,”

“That’s all I’m about, just competing.”

Pepper said he was looking forward to learning from the likes of four-time Andrew Gaze Trophy winner Bryce Cotton and evergreen veteran Jesse Wagstaff in a bid to make a smooth transition from college to the NBL.

“It’s a lot different to college basketball,” Pepper said.

“These guys are professionals; they’ve done it for a long time so I’m looking forward to seeing how they do things and hopefully follow in their footsteps a little bit.”

The Shepparton-born 23-year-old, who qualifies as a local player, recently made his Australian debut for the emerging Boomers in Japan alongside new Wildcats teammate Ben Henshall.

“It was good, I had a lot of fun meeting some of the newer, younger guys who are also playing in the league (NBL),” he said.

Let’s go!! Excited for the opportunity! https://t.co/R3Q0VXj66a

— Elijah Pepper (@Elijah_pepper12) April 19, 2024

“Then it was great to play alongside a future teammate in ‘Henny’ (Ben Henshall) as well.

“It was great to be able to play with him and see how he plays as well."

Pepper won last season’s Big West Player of the Year and is also a two-time All-Big West First Team member and dual All-Big West Second Team member.

He averaged 20.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists across the 2023-24 season, while shooting at 41.5 per cent from the field, to lead the Aggies to the Big West championship game.