Perth rookie "ready" for challenge

Perth Wildcats rookie Elijah Pepper will have a tough road ahead of him to compete for minutes in a star-studded squad but he's "ready" for the challenge to learn under Wildcats' seasoned veterans. 

Pepper arrived in Perth for the first time on Tuesday night to start his life with the 'Cats. The 23-year-old will team up with the likes of four-time MVP Bryce Cotton and club legend Jesse Wagstaff in his first season as a professional, and he can't wait to learn from them. 

“It’s a lot different to college basketball,” Pepper told Wildcats Media. 

“These guys are professionals; they’ve done it for a long time so I’m looking forward to seeing how they do things and hopefully follow in their footsteps a little bit.”

The former UC Davis college star - who averaged over 20 points in each of his last two seasons - is back on the homeland for the first time since high school. 

He described himself as a competitor, and was eager to express his enthusiasm on what he will bring to the team. 

“I hate not being able to compete, that’s almost a pet peeve of mine... people that don’t compete," Pepper said. 

“That’s all I’m about, just competing.

“Just winning - that’s my big goal...I want to come here and help the team win, whatever they need and whatever coach John Rillie asks of me.

“My goal is just to get playing time and help the team win."