Wildcats Welcome Hyrum Harris to Perth

The Perth Wildcats are pleased to announce the signing of exciting New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris on a two-year deal.

Having debuted in the NBL with the Illawarra Hawks in 2019, Harris joins the Wildcats after playing the last two NBL seasons with Adelaide 36ers and was named the 36ers’ Most Improved Player for the 2021/22 season.

The 26-year-old, who stands at six-foot-seven, is a crafty left-hander who can score inside the paint and outside the arc, while also being a force on the defensive end.

Harris has represented the New Zealand Tall Blacks on numerous occasions, most recently in the World Cup Qualifiers in February.  

Currently playing for the Hawke’s Bay Hawks in the NZNBL, Harris is averaging 16.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2 steals a game.

Harris said he’s excited to be reunited with family in Perth and join such a successful NBL franchise.

“It feels really good, I have a lot of family in Perth, and I only ever really got to see them when I was playing against the Wildcats, so I’ll get to see them a lot,” he said.

“The Wildcats are such a successful organisation and to be joining them feels amazing.

“It would have been the wrong move to turn down this opportunity with such a successful organisation who has won multiple championships, who wouldn’t want to join them?”

Perth Wildcats head coach John Rillie said Harris’s defensive skills were a big drawing card in getting him to the Wildcats.

“Hyrum has a physical presence about himself at the defensive end,” he said.

“Having the ability to match up with some of the premier forwards in our league, he will be given the task to slow them down.

“Harris, of the Hyrum variety, brings a great spirit and energy to the floor, the Red Army will embrace how he plays and how he helps win games for the Wildcats.”

Perth Wildcats General Manager of Basketball Operations Danny Mills said Harris’s versatility will be influential on both ends of the court.

“Hyrum is a player who we’ve targeted for a few years now to try and bring into our program here at Perth,” he said.

“He has a unique combination of skill and versatility to go along with his size and strength that allows him to impact the game at both ends.

“He complements the athletic front court we are putting together and fits our style of play, and provides us with another young, talented prospect that we feel still has a lot of upside to develop his game and take it to the next level.”