Pre-season training underway

With 48 days until the 2022/23 NBL Season commences, Perth Wildcats pre-season training camp is officially underway.

Recruits Brady Manek. TaShawn Thomas, Corey Webster and Michael Harris all touched down in Perth in the last few days and participated in their first Wildcats workout today.

Bryce Cotton arrives later this week, but head coach John Rillie said it was great to have the majority of the squad on deck this morning.

“To get after it today, it was good. It felt like the tone and the mood of it all was very good, and we really emphasised defence and rebounding, and I believe that’s what really going to help take us to another level.”

Rillie identified versatility and basketball IQ as his roster’s strength this season.

“It’s what’s going to separate us, or be our signature as a team,” he said.

“From what I saw today, although a small sample size, I was really impressed with that. Most importantly, we’re going to screw it up every now and then but as long as we do it with a great purpose and with a way of helping our teammates, I’m going to be happy with that.

“Being a great teammate is enjoying the success of someone else, that’s what we’re preaching and that’s how we’ve recruited this team.”

New imports Manek and Thomas both completed the session, while Webster and Harris impressed just days after arriving in WA.

In an encouraging sign, Corey Shervill also participated in training as he nears the end of a tough 12 months rehabilitating a foot injury.

The Perth Wildcats games have pre-season games in Darwin scheduled as part of the NBL Blitz in mid-September, while John Rillie also hinted at additional pre-season contests to be played in Perth against the 36ers.

2022/23 Perth Wildcats memberships are available now!

Image: Corey Webster, TaShawn Thomas and Brady Manek pose with their new Perth Wildcats jerseys