Playing Hard is Manek’s Main Focus

Exciting new import Brady Manek stepped on court in Wildcats colours for the first time in Sunday’s pre-season clash with Adelaide in Joondalup.

Manek’s highly anticipated introduction to Australian basketball did not disappoint, finishing with a team-high 15 points, five rebounds and an assist, from 21 minutes of court time.

He said it felt good to get back into the swing of things.

“It was ok, I left some out there but was just playing hard and it was good to get back into the swing of things and get to playing again,” he said.

“It was good to get that game out of the way so we can get rolling, and it was good for me to get my feet wet, have a good time and play hard.”

Manek is enjoying playing under head coach John Rillie.

“He’s a player’s coach, he’s got our backs, he wants us to play hard and he’s going to push us,” he said.

“He’s going to try and make us better and that’s what I really like about him and I just really like his energy and how he want to play with the team.”

Coming straight from the college system in the US, Manek thinks the Australian league will be a lot of fun.

“There’s a lot of good players, a lot of good athletes, guys are a little bit older,” he said.

“Overall it’s very competitive and we got to see a little bit of it this weekend and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The Wildcats season-opener is locked in for Sunday 2 October at RAC Arena against the Brisbane Bullets.