Jesse Wagstaff: "The ultimate teammate"

There are many different categories to use when identifying all-time great in any sport. It could be winning championships, individual accolades, statistics, leadership qualities or career longevity. 

For Jesse Wagstaff, it’s a bit of that and a whole lot more.

As the Perth Wildcat captain prepares to break the long-standing club record for games played, all his achievements may sit secondary when thinking of his incredible career to date. 

“There’s a reason he’s breaking this record,” former Wildcat teammate Mitch Norton said on The Dribble podcast.

“He’s the ultimate teammate and at the end of the day, that’s really the best compliment you can receive as a player."

Before his record-equalling six championship career began in 2009, Wagstaff had a tremendously successful college career at Metro State University, where he was coached by Mike Dunlap. 

“He was a shy, kind of introverted, smart human being, but he would not shoot the ball,” Dunlap joked about his first impressions of Wagstaff.

“So consequently, I had to kick him out of practice, which absolutely made him upset. But when he came back, we could get him to shoot that velvet soft three of his, and we went on to win a national championship.

 “We know that he is the champion among champions. He is a Perth Wildcat through and through. If there were ever cause to build a statue, it would be of Jesse Wagstaff because he is a champion.”

After looking set to join the South Dragons after college, it was the Wildcats who swooped on Wagstaff when the Dragons folded, and it quickly became evident that they’d found something special.

“When he came in, he wasn't that big and wasn't super athletic, but he was exceptionally strong. He just had that sort of innate man strength,” Paul Rogers said about Wagstaff joining the team in 2009.

“It’s his leadership, too. He just had this innate ability to inspire people and lead people mostly by example ... he's always got a big smile on his face, and I think that's kind of infectious in the locker room.”

The NBL success began quickly for Wagstaff, who won the NBL Rookie of the Year after stepping up when Rogers was injured. Then before long, he had won his first of six championships, helping Perth to a 2-1 series win over the Wollongong Hawks in 2010.

“I’ve seen him hit game winners and huge shots. Back-to-back threes to help win championships and I’ve seen him, you know miss layups to win a game,” Kevin Lisch joked about his former teammate. 
 
“I’ll always remember his consistency in his approach for the game ... his body language never changed and it’s a true testament to how he’s lasted this long. I learned a lot from that.”

Only 13 players in NBL history have notched up over 500 career games, and if everything goes well for Perth this season, Wagstaff could very well join that illustrious company.

“For him to stay at a level where he influences winning for 16 years ... he just respects the process,” head coach John Rillie said.

“It’s an overused cliché in sport, but he truly does live life the right way and in a professional manner ... that’s what allows him to have had the long and illustrious career he’s had.”

Bryce Cotton, the four-time MVP, believes that when you think of what it means to play for Perth, you don’t have to look any further than Wagstaff.

“He’s been the epitome of what it is to be a wildcat,” Cotton said.

“He was one of the focal points when I came here, when we were rocking as a dynasty and he was here long before that as well.

“I’m very fortunate that I’ve been able to be part of it.”

Adding to his list of achievements, a NBL Best Sixth Man winner in 2012, a Commonwealth Games gold and silver medal, Wagstaff’s career will go down as one of the best when it is all said and done. 

“He’s one of those guys that you love playing with but hate playing against,” Wagstaff’s Boomers teammate, Jason Cadee said.

On Friday night he will tie the Wildcats club record, joining the legendary Ricky Grace, before breaking it on Sunday. 

“Full credit to Jesse for being the backbone of the Wildcats culture for as long as he has,” Ricky Grace said.

“The record is a testimony to Jesse’s ability to compete mentally and physically at the highest level.”