Cotton: “Basketball was the last thing left”

What was thought to be a life-ending prognosis turned out to be all the motivation Bryce Cotton needed to pursue basketball.

Cotton was diagnosed with epilepsy at a young age, with his mum being told the horribly confronting news that he wasn’t going to make it past the age of 11.

"They told my mum, I wasn't going to make it past sixth grade, and that she should start planning for the funeral," Cotton said via ABC News.

"That would have meant I would have passed away at 11.

"That number took on a further significant meaning for me, because 11 was already a lucky number for me even when I played sports, but after that it was like OK, 11 is really special to me now,” he said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BIG MOOD. ? <a href="https://t.co/zLe5WR9qEt">pic.twitter.com/zLe5WR9qEt</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1735842376562995350?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

American Football was the three-time NBL champion’s favourite sport growing up, but doctors ruled out contact sport – so he turned to basketball.

"Basketball was the last thing left that I would have the opportunity to play,” the 31-year-old said.

"I used to play a little bit of baseball too. But the chances of, you know, catching a fastball or two to the head wasn't a good idea, either.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We aren&#39;t worthy! ?<br><br>BC led the scoring, rebounds and assist counts tonight. <a href="https://t.co/02ePi6OL7R">pic.twitter.com/02ePi6OL7R</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1735650036757733884?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Cotton has become a ‘Cats veteran over the years, a known figure that belongs inside the walls of RAC Arena. To name a few, he’s picked up three MVP Awards, he’s a two-time Grand Final MVP, and has been named on the All-NBL First team six times.

He revealed why he’s remained strong-willed with a winners’ mindset since he stepped foot on a professional basketball court, starting with the NBA – every basketballer’s dream.

"The goal for me was just to make it, to play a game there," he said.

"Remembering my journey, for me to say I want to play in the NBA, in those circumstances I was in — fighting for my life and all this type of stuff — that was so far-fetched.

"It was like OK, well if I do this, then I'm winning."

Cotton and the Wildcats play Melbourne United on Saturday in the Open Air Game at John Cain Arena.

Tip-off is 8pm AEDT, with the game to be broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo.