Usher opens up on debut season, role change

The first-year import from Atlanta started his time in the NBL with a massive 35-point game against Tasmania at RAC Arena – the most points by a Wildcat on NBL debut – before a lean run during the team’s four-game losing streak.

A switch to the bench for new starter Hyrum Harris helped get both players having a big impact as the Wildcats went on a six-game winning run to turn their season around.

Since that move on November 4, Usher has reached double figures in seven of 11 games including four of his last five, with the Wildcats winning nine games in that time.

His best performance came in the overtime loss to Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on December 23, hitting 23 points to go with four rebounds.

Usher conceded while nobody wants to miss out on starting games, he was all for doing whatever it takes to help Perth win more games and bring an 11th title to the city.

“It’s never a hit to the ego. You have to be resilient to that type of stuff, especially in-house or anything with my teammates mates or my own coaches. If that’s what we think is going to win more games, then I am all for it,” Usher told The West Australian’s The Dribble Podcast.

“I’m a competitor. At the end of the day, no one wants to not start in basketball, especially at the professional level when I feel like I can. But I’m here to win games, and I’m here to provide what the team needs and bring that next championship to the Perth Wildcats. That is truly my only intention.”

The second-placed Wildcats fly to Auckland via Sydney on Saturday morning and arrive after midnight on Sunday ahead of a 4pm start local time (11am Perth time).

It will be the last of a four-game road trip which started back on December 23 the heartbreaking loss to United before back-to-back wins over Cairns and Adelaide respectively to take Perth's record to 11-7.