Wildcats Off-Season Wrap: New country, same Bryce Cotton

New country, same Bryce Cotton.

The five-time NBL MVP started his off-season stint in Puerto Rico with a typical Bryce performance, capped off by the game-winning shot.

Cotton scored 12 points for the day, including the winning triple with five seconds remaining, to give his new team Mets de Guaynabo an 81-80 victory over Atleticos.

Bryce Cotton is already knocking down game winners in his first game in Puerto Rico 😮

He had 12 points in his debut win for the Guaynabo Mets 🔥

🎥: @bsnpr pic.twitter.com/Cpx0NgV1Rq

— NBL (@NBL) March 17, 2025

In France, Tai Webster was excellent on debut for JL Bourg, amassing 15 points, eight assists, two rebounds and two steals playing alongside former Wildcats teammate Jordan Usher.

Webster hit six of seven from the field in JL Bourg’s 99-91 loss to Paris in the French Cup semifinals.

Big man David Okwera was another impressive Wildcats debutant overseas, named player of the match in his first game as a Franklin Bull for his efforts at the defensive end.

Okwera finished with eight points, seven rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocks in the Bulls’ win over the Whai.

Really enjoyed David Okwera's debut for Franklin Bulls earlier.

24:13 MP | 8 PTS | 7 REB | 4 STL | 3 BLK
3/12 FGM (25%)

Poor shooting that was made up by his elite defense.#NBL #NZNBL pic.twitter.com/5cwpMyIrgY

— Pleb (@SuperCoachPleb) March 17, 2025

Development Player Dontae Russo-Nance has enjoyed a strong start to his NZ campaign with new team Manawatu Jets.

Russo-Nance, who has crossed from Otago Nuggets for the 2025 NZNBL season, is averaging 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block across his first two games.

Hyrum Harris also hit the ground running in his home country, starring in Wellington’s 115-110 loss to Taranaki Airs.

Harris had a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double to go with six assists for the Saints, coaching by Wildcats assistant Aaron Young.

Keanu Pinder is building form in China after signing with CBA outfit Shanxi Loongs.

After a winning debut against Quindao Eagles, where he had seven points, two rebounds, three steals and two assists, Pinder posted a double-double in just his second game.

Coming up against the Fujian SBS Xunxing Sturgeons, Pinder put up big numbers of 15 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in a tight loss.

Todd Withers has signed with Otago Nuggets in the NZNBL as a short-term replacement player.

Withers is set to play three games for the Nuggets, a team he won a title with during his last stint, starting with Wednesday’s clash against the Whai.