TOPIC:

Huge interest from NBA clubs who will have their scouts at the Illawarra v NZ Breakers game tonight to watch LaMelo Ball go head to head with R.J. Hampton. Both tipped as potential top ten NBA picks next year. I’ve seen a bit of both of them and they are special talents. Imagine a young Michael Jordan or LeBron James playing for a year in the NBL before they get drafted. That is potentially what we are witnessing.

Former Wildcat James Ennis is still competing in the NBA, now a team mate of Ben Simmons at the 76ers.

www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/nbl/more...4acb559960bbc9f9b9b0

The NBL has always been popular in Perth since the days of Cal Bruton's run and stun Wildcats era from 1987 onwards.
Probably has had peaks and troughs in popularity in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane with too many teams coming and going.

It certainly has BH but most clubs have wealthy owners now and some clubs have strong affiliations with NBA clubs and one former NBA player has bought a stake, maybe outright owner of the Brisbane Bullets. The quality of the NBL has never been better and it’s showing with bums on seats. Illawarra Hawks were one of the weaker clubs when it comes to drawing a crowd, now they are filling stadiums on the back of one future NBA star.

The depth of most clubs is scary as well as the high end talent. Perth Wildcats will have their hands full going back to back this year I reckon. I couldn’t get a ticket to the Perth v Illawarra game a couple of weeks ago.

Pioneers like the Ellis Family and Carl Bruton,James Crawford, Ricky Grace.Made the Wildcats what they are today.Wonderful support from the Bendat Family kept the club alive when the NBL disappeared .About 3 seasons from memory.
Perth Arena once dubbed the White Elephant has been great for the Wildcats. With there unique brand of sports entertainment.
Great to see the East Coast teams have momentum. With good crowds and good Tv ratings. And some pretty handy imports coming to the NBL.

Some great Wildcats names you have listed there GTR.
It would be tough picking a Wildcats best ever side since 1982, in 2022 it will be their 40th year so might be something they look at for that milestone.
Have had a crack myself below-

Starting 5-
F) James Crawford
F) Andrew Vlahov
C) James Ennis
G) Ricky Grace
G) Bryce Cotton

Bench from-
Mike Ellis
Damien Martyn
Scott Fisher
Paul Rogers
Terrico White
Tiny Pinder
Kevin Lisch