Withers 'staying ready' for Wildcats chance

Withers, a Nominated Replacement Player, replaces Cotton in the line-up for the Kings clash after the four-time NBL MVP was ruled out with a hip injury.

The former Adelaide 36ers import has already played two regular-season games for the Wildcats, replacing Dylan Windler while he was out with an Achilles issue.

The 28-year-old five points on debut against Melbourne United at RAC Arena on October 4.

He followed that up with a massive game against Tasmania on the road two days later, making the most of his starting-five chance to produce an 11-point, three-rebound performance.

“I’m just trying to prepare myself mentally,” Withers told The West Australian’s The Dribble Podcast.

“I’m just staying ready. For the most part, JR (head coach John Rillie) and the coaches do a really good job of making sure no matter when I’m going to be in or if I’m going to be in, I stay ready.

I go through the plays and I go through the scout with everybody. It’s kind of like a day-by-day thing. You get kind of thrown into the fire here and there. I’m doing my best to stay ready and get game reps.

“BC (Bryce Cotton) is an incredible player. He brings so much to the team. It’s a chance for the guys to step up. It’s a chance for guys to go out and be more aggressive.

"BC is a huge centrepiece to what we do as an offence and what we do as the Perth Wildcats.

"Not having him is massive, but it also gives everybody a chance to go out there, explore their own talents and try to do what we can to uplift BC while he’s out.”

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Withers has been with the Wildcats since the pre-season, joining the club for their trip to Japan where he featured in multiple matches.

It came after a strong debut season in the NBL1 West with Warwick Senators.

Rillie said Withers being around the group for a couple of months would help when he’s called upon on Friday night.

“Todd has been with us through the off-season and then had limited opportunities with Dylan’s injuries earlier in the season,” Rillie said.

“But he’s with us every day so he’s very familiar with how we operate and he knew that these are the opportunities that are afforded to him and he’s been the recipient of those very early on.”