Wildcats finalise roster with big man Matt Hodgson

The Perth Wildcats have finalised their 2021/22 roster, signing 211cm Australian centre, Matt Hodgson, to a one-year contract.

Hodgson has played for the Brisbane Bullets for the last three seasons, averaging 10.1 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in 2021.

The 31-year-old is excited to be heading West.

“It’s a real honour to be joining such a great organisation. To be considered for a club that recruits on character-first, that has a history of so much success. I feel truly honoured,” he said.

“For this season, I see myself and Majok Majok being able to work together to bring interior scoring, interior defence, rebounds and control the paint on both ends.

“I think I’ve done that well over the last three years, and it will be nice to do it with the 13,000 Wildcats fans supporting me from now on.”

Head coach Scott Morrison said Hodgson is a player he was hoping to be able to attract to his program.

“Matt is an established five-man who can play both ends of the floor,” he said.

“Our perimeter players on the roster will be a great compliment to Matt's ability to roll and finish around the rim as well protect the paint and rebound at a high level. 

“He has improved in each of his seasons in the NBL and we expect him to have his best year yet in an effort to help us return to the Grand Final in 2022.”

Matt Hodgson grew up in Ipswich, Queensland, before heading to the USA where he played college basketball at Southern Utah and Saint Mary’s.

His NBL career began with the Adelaide 36ers, where he played for three seasons, before signing with Brisbane in 2018.

He’s played 178 NBL games, averaging more than 60 per cent from the field throughout his career.

Hodgson has also represented the Australian Boomers on numerous occasions, winning FIBA Asia Cup Gold in 2017.

Perth Wildcats GM of basketball operations Danny Mills said his signing is an exciting way to round out the 2021/22 roster.

“We had a vision in mind for a team, and we’re excited to able to land someone like Matt to be our big man,” he said.

“I think it really allows us to have a deep roster across all positions, and it gives Scott a really versatile group of players to use in multiple ways.”

The Perth Wildcats 11-man roster is now complete, with Hodgson among five new recruits.

The NBL Season commences on 3 December.