Destined for Stardom

Former NBL great Andre LaFleur was an associate head coach at Providence during Bryce Cotton’s college career, and he saw signs early on of a player who was destined to do great things.

Those signs have been well and truly validated, and Cotton’s recent run of three straight 40+ point games is no surprise to LaFleur. 

“Bryce always took care of all his business. We never had any issues with him, as he was kind of on autopilot as a student athlete,” LaFleur said on NBL Now.

LaFleur spent five seasons at Providence, which enabled him to be part of Cotton’s entire college stint and see him win a Big East Tournament MVP and be selected to two Big East First Teams.  

“He was the only player that was consistent in the gym every day working on his game,” LaFleur said.

“With his discipline and the consistency, that’s what makes him special.”

LaFleur is no stranger to the NBL, having spent six seasons playing for the Gold Coast Rollers and Illawarra Hawks from 1991 to 1996. He led the league twice in assists during his 150-game career and that gives him a raw understanding of what Cotton is achieving in the league. 

“I’m incredibly proud of him and I’m incredibly happy for him,” LaFleur said. 

“He’s a winner for life. I mean he’s won championships everywhere he’s gone, because of his commitment to being an everyday person. He is an example that I’m going to use for a long time.”

With the recent reports of NBA interest for the four-time MVP, LaFleur vividly recalls a moment with Cotton that lives on in his mind.

“One conversation that I’ll never forget…he said I’m going to play in the NBA. I kind of looked at him and said, ‘yeah ok’,” he said. 

“But then he did, and he had incredible highlights there. I’m actually surprised that he didn’t stay longer.”

After scoring 59, 40 and 49 points in his last three games, Cotton and the Perth Wildcats are back on court against the Cairns Taipans at 8pm AEDT on Saturday night, live on ESPN.