Rare air for Wildcats champion

He’s already a six-time NBL champion and will go down as one of the Perth Wildcats’ greatest ever players, but Jesse Wagstaff is about to add another accolade to his ever-growing list of achievements. 

On Sunday, the 38-year-old will become the most capped player in the Wildcats’ famed history, surpassing Ricky Grace’s previous mark of 482 games. 

Wagstaff first played for Perth way back during the 20009/2010 season and a decade and a half later is set to reach a magical milestone. 

"It's a huge privilege, Wagstaff said on Wednesday. 

"Obviously this club means so much to myself and my family, so it's a huge honour.

"You know, to be honest, I'm not really that athletic,” he joked. 

"I just kind of try hard and try to study the game and try to help the team win, and hopefully it's something as simple as that.

"Hopefully when it’s time to hang up the boots, I've got the most out of my career and most out of my body and given my all to the club ... I guess that's all you can ask for."

Wagstaff paid tribute to the man whose record he will pass on Sunday against the South East Melbourne Phoenix, four-time NBL champion and four-time All-NBL First Team member, Grace. 

"We go to clinics these days and you’ll hear the teacher say ‘I remember when Ricky came out to my school and did a clinic’ or ‘we used to go down to the Entertainment Centre and watch (Andrew) Vlahov.’ From day one you are surrounded by the history of this club," Wagstaff said.

"Obviously, with Ricky playing so many games and being a legend of not only this club, but Australian basketball as well - you are surrounded by that history, and you can’t help but respect it and acknowledge the success that those before us have had."

Wagstaff will equal Grace’s previous mark when the Wildcats host Illawarra on Friday night at RAC Arena.

Wagstaff in 2010.