'Unfinished business' for Windler after signing two-year deal

The former first-round NBA Draft pick impressed in his debut season at the Wildcats, producing some match-winning performances at both ends of the floor.

Windler was the Wildcats’ second-leading rebounder in NBL25 with 6.6 per game, while he also averaged 12.2 points, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks while shooting at 40 per cent from long-range on over five attempts per game.

His numbers were even higher during the post-season, averaging 14.3 points and 8.5 rebounds including a dominant game-two performance in the playoff series against Melbourne United at RAC Arena, scoring a game-high 27 points - including six of seven three-point attempts - to go with 11 rebounds, four blocks, four assists and two steals in the series-levelling victory.

The rangy American got better as the season went on after an interrupted pre-season due to injury, showcasing his elite three-point shooting and defensive prowess.

Windler was excited to return to Perth for season two and felt it was a case of “unfinished business” after falling just one point short of qualifying for the championship series.

“It just felt right to come back to Perth, I feel like we’ve got some unfinished business in the playoffs after going out in the semi-finals like we did,” Windler said.

“We enjoyed it there and it’s a great situation for me basketball-wise and I look forward to continuing to build on the team that we had last year and see what new faces we can bring in and what we can build together.

“I’m really satisfied with being able to come back and I look forward to seeing what the team looks like this year.”

Wildcats General Manager of Basketball Operations Danny Mills described Windler as a “cornerstone” of the team’s roster alongside fellow import Kristian Doolittle.

“We’re really excited about what Dylan can bring in his second season with the Wildcats. He’s a key part of our NBL26 roster — someone we see as a cornerstone alongside Kristian Doolittle,” Mills said.

"Dylan had an outstanding debut season, contributing on both ends of the floor with his perimeter shooting, rebounding, and defensive versatility. Returning with a year of NBL experience under his belt, we’re confident he’s only going to get better.”

Head Coach John Rillie backed Windler to build on his impressive debut season in the NBL.

“As we saw from Dylan last season, he brings a high level of shot-making and consistent rebounding to our group," Rillie said.

“We were really happy with what Dylan produced in his debut campaign at the Wildcats and believe he can go to another level with a full season in the NBL.”

It comes after the re-signing of Doolittle on a three-year deal, while skipper Jesse Wagstaff is also locked in for a 17th NBL season.

Prolific guard Elijah Pepper, who is coming off back-to-back 50-point games for Warwick in the NBL1 West, and Development Player Tom Gerovich are also back for NBL26.

The Wildcats opened the free-agency period last week with the signing of young forward Cameron Huefner as a DP.