Five-time MVP and Wildcats legend poised to sign with new NBL team

Five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton has locked in his future for the next three years - and it won’t be at his beloved Wildcats. Details inside.

The Adelaide 36ers are poised to announce the signing of five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton.

In a shock move no one saw coming, the 36ers have swooped in to secure Cotton.

Code Sports can confirm the Adelaide deal still requires NBL approval, but the Sixers are hopeful of announcing the former Perth Wildcats star on a multi-year deal as early as Friday.

Cotton is set to finalise his new club after leaving the Wildcats. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

It’s understood Cotton has agreed to join the 36ers on a three-year deal.

Cotton was widely tipped to sign a lucrative deal in Japan under former Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson, but Adelaide has won the race for his prized signature.

The signing of a man regarded as the NBL’s best import in the modern era will go down as one of the biggest signings in 36ers’ history.

The gun guard will join forces with Boomers sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic at the Sixers to form one of the NBL’s most potent backcourts.

But Cotton’s impending move to Adelaide is also being dubbed a stunning “backflip” by NBL fans.

Upon announcing his departure from Perth following nine seasons in March, the champion guard declared: “Perth will always be home to me”.

He also vowed to never play for another NBL team, despite links to Melbourne United.

All roads seemingly led to a big deal in Japan, but Cotton has had a significant change of heart.

Bryce Cotton starred for the Wildcats, where he won three championships and five NBL MVP awards in his nine seasons. Picture: Getty Images

Cotton joined the Wildcats in January, 2017, and instantly made an impact by breaking the NBL record for most points on debut (26 points v the Kings).

He’s been the constant face at the Wildcats through some of their most successful years, playing a key role in Perth’s three NBL championships in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

He won his fifth MVP trophy last season and his shock decision to sign a multi-year deal in Adelaide puts him within sight of equalling the great Andrew Gaze, who the award is named after, with seven titles.

Cotton, 32, was sublime in NBL25, his 28.6 points per game comfortably the best of the modern 40-minute era - and a number not achieved since Gaze did it 24 years ago when he put up 29.1 points per game in 2000-01.

“Legacy means a lot to me, especially just considering what my mum and my grandma did for me, giving me opportunities and support me growing up,” Cotton said when he received his MVP award.

“So as much as I want the best for myself every year, every season, I’m trying to make them proud, and that’s where the legacy lies with me.

“I never compare myself to nobody, this is a race with myself.”

“I started on this journey with me, my mum and my gran and it’s still me and my mum, so we’re just going to keep doing it like that and however it goes and goes.”

Importantly for the Sixers, he brings immediate title legitimacy to a team that has underperformed in recent years.

At their best Adelaide was one of the most dangerous teams in the NBL last season, but were plagued by troubles behind the scenes with key players and new coach Mike Wells.

With import Kendric Davis signing with Sydney Kings, Adelaide’s acquisition of Cotton will give them every chance to compete alongside the NBL’s best teams.

Originally published as Five-time MVP and Wildcats legend poised to sign with new NBL team