Cotton provides injury timeline

Bryce Cotton won’t be rushing back from a serious rib injury, but says he’s confident of getting back on the court by the end of December. 

The four-time MVP joined Peter Hooley on NBL Now on Wednesday, confirming he was recovering well from what was described as a “rib fracture”. 

“I’ve got a little bit of a ways to go, but I’ve got to keep being patient and listening to my body,” Cotton said. 

“The way it was explained is it’s such a rare injury, there’s not a big sample size for looking at studies of this injury and how long it takes (to recover). 

“Based off my mind I’m trying to get back as quick as I can, but on the other side still trying to listen to my body and making sure whenever I’m back out there, I actually feel comfortable out there to be me and to take hits.”

Asked whether he’d be back in the calendar year, Cotton responded: “Oh yeh, definitely ... I would say so”. 

The star guard sustained the injury in the Wildcats’ Round 5 game against New Zealand, in what looked like an innocuous incident driving to the basket.

Perth has won two of its three games since, but was smashed by the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday by 24 points.