Hugh Greenwood walks away from three-year contract with Perth Wildcats

TASMANIAN basketball star Hugh Greenwood has walked out on the Perth Wildcats.

Perth Wildcats unveil new recruit Hugh Greenwood (to wear #3).

TASMANIAN basketball star Hugh Greenwood has walked out on the Perth Wildcats, a three-year contract and the sport to pursue an AFL career.

Greenwood, who just returned from the US where he played college basketball for New Mexico and tried out for the NBA, informed the Wildcats last night.

Wildcats managing director Nick Marvin said he was very disappointed to receive the news.

“Unfortunately Hugh Greenwood’s decision not to honour his contract poses a significant challenge for us. Whilst he leaves with our best wishes, it does require us to revise our recruiting strategy immediately,” he said.

“We made numerous decisions based on his commitment to us, so we are disappointed to lose him.”

The Wildcats will allow him to breach his contract.

Greenwood, 23, was a talented junior footballer in Tasmania and has been scouted by AFL clubs in the past.

He has a strong pedigree in the sport with his grandad Peter Marquis, who played 99 games with Melbourne, including three consecutive premierships from 1955-57 and also represented Victoria.

Back in 2014, Greenwood told the Mercury: “Depending on how it goes, if I give the NBA a crack and it doesn’t work out ... I would certainly come back and give footy a crack for sure.”

“My grandfather played 99 games, I would love to get that last one.”