TD15
Years ago
Bryce Cotton confirmed to return to Perth.
BRYCE COTTON CONFIRMED TO RETURN TO PERTH
Perth Wildcats chairman Jack Bendat is pleased to announce that 2017 Grand Final MVP Bryce Cotton is heading back to Western Australia to once again represent the Perth Wildcats.
If Wildcats fans weren't already excited about the start of their championship defence, now is the time to begin counting down the days till the 2017/18 season tips off.
Bryce Cotton set the NBL alight after joining Perth for the back half of the 2016/17 season.
He played 11 regular season games and took out the NBL’s individual scoring title with 22.1 points per game.
But it was in the NBL Finals where Cotton really left his mark, as the Wildcats swept the Taipans and Hawks to win its eighth championship.
In five post-season games, he averaged over 25 points, including a 34-point semi-final demolition of Cairns and a record-breaking haul of 45 in the championship-decider at Perth Arena.
The American is thrilled to be returning to the city where he won his first professional ring.
"I’m very excited to be heading back to Perth - and from the start of the season this time!" he said.
“The Wildcats are a great club, I know all of the players and coaches well, and the fans are phenomenal. I couldn’t ask for anything else and I can’t wait to head back to Australia.”
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Bryce Cotton is from Tucson in Arizona and attended Providence College.
The 24-year-old has played NBA basketball for the Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns and the Utah Jazz.
He’s also represented teams in the NBA Development League, as well as playing professionally abroad in China and Turkey.
Most recently, Cotton played for the Atlanta Hawks at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
“We are very excited about Bryce’s return; he has a special skill set and he has the unique ability to makes his teammates better” said coach Trevor Gleeson.
“He’s an incredible scorer, has a team first mentality, is unselfish, but most of all he’s a great person and a great fit for our team.”
Overall, Cotton averaged 23.1 points per game while shooting at 47.4 per cent.
He also contributed 3.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per outing.
With Bryce Cotton in the team, the Perth Wildcats had a win-loss record of 12-4, including a seven-game streak to close out the year.
The Wildcats now have two roster positions remaining for the 2017/18 NBL season.