Rillie claims MVP set for injury return, Blitz to showcase young stars

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie has marked the NBL Blitz as a prime time to test the waters on fresh face rotations, hoping to offer a glimpse into what the Wildcats can produce on the NBL25 stage.

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie has marked the NBL Blitz as a prime time to test the waters on fresh face rotations, hoping to offer a glimpse into what the Wildcats can produce on the NBL25 stage.

The side landed on Gold Coast shores Friday morning after a pre-season tour featuring three games in Japan.

“It was a great trip, obviously playing three games was good for us to get on the floor but also to get a little acquainted,” Rillie said.

“(Getting acquitted) was very important, maybe the biggest point of the trip.”

With youngsters Elijah Pepper, Ben Henshall and Dontae Russo-Nance on the sheet behind the likes of Bryce Cotton and Keanu Pinder, Rillie said he’d be capitalising on the Blitz as an opportunity to showcase the depth of his roster.

“Over the course of the Blitz we will start to settle in and look at some different line ups and rotations.

“With us returning so many guys, those players can take ownership of that now because they have experience and an understanding of how the coaching staff and organisation likes to do things.

“The beauty is everyone got to play (in Japan).

“You’ve got to make the most of the situation in front of you (and) the five games we’ve played we’ve been able to get some good stuff out of them.”

Cotton is expected to make a return to top minutes after missing two games in Japan to rest a thumb strain.

“He’s recovered well from that … so to have him back and (nearly everyone) eligible to play is really awesome for us,” Rillie said.

American recruit Dylan Windler looks a similarly promising return-to-play, the 27-year-old former first-round NBA draft pick having suffered a minor ankle sprain.

“He’s done very well,” Rillie said of the recruit’s performance in pre-season.

“Obviously I had some brief conversations in the recruitment process.

“Now getting to spend some time around him and watch him interact with his teammates, he’s been a great addition to our team.”

Perth face New Zealand Breakers Sunday September 8 to close day two of the Blitz, Tasmania JackJumpers and Brisbane Bullets opening the week-long tournament in a sell-out Saturday evening double-header at Carrara Stadium.

Originally published as Rillie claims MVP set for injury return, Blitz to showcase young stars