Rillie responds to Usher exit rumours

Rumours have floated that Perth Wildcats’ import Jordan Usher could be setting sail and headed to Greece – but John Rillie has shut down any talks of the star leaving the club.

“We’re not in the business or dealing with rumours. It’s strictly a rumour,” Rillie said on The West Australian’s The Dribble Podcast.

The Greek team, Panathinaikos sparked interest in signing the 25-year-old as a replacement player, through the grape vine of the club’s coach, Ergin Ataman – who coached in Turkey last season for a club that played against Usher.

 “I’m always making sure all of our players are getting communicated with and making sure life is good because if your life is good, basketball then becomes good as well,” Rillie said.

“They’re rumours so that happens in any sport. There’s lots of speculation and rumour.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JORDAN USHER HAS ICE IN HIS VEINS ?? <a href="https://t.co/jT2YSSRP9u">pic.twitter.com/jT2YSSRP9u</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1721477161390104634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The import-forward has caused mixed emotions on his performance so far, with some starring roles, and some challenges along the way – but his hits have been major wins for the Perth side.

In his debut NBL24 season opener, Usher stepped out with 35 points to kick off what was thought to be a powerful road to the title.

But since then, Rillie has struggled to find the right balance of a rotation that would fit both Usher and the club’s leading man – Bryce Cotton.

The Wildcats’ duo have now put their worries in the past, with Cotton back up to speed, and Usher coming off the bench with strong impact.

The results came after a 2-0 weekend, including a win over championship contender Melbourne United.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“To the Red Army, all that yap, yap, yapping you’ve been doing, what have you got to say now?”<br><br>Damon Lowery has leapt to the defence of John Rillie following Perth&#39;s pair of Round 6 victories ?<br><br>Full story ??<a href="https://t.co/VaT1cZynhg">https://t.co/VaT1cZynhg</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1721839992916644019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A push to overtime excited the ‘Cats, forcing them to step up and take down the top-of-the-ladder team.

“He knew what was going on last week. He responded well in practice and then our saw the results in the game both for himself and our team,” Rillie said on Usher’s move from starting off the bench.

Now that rumours have been cleared and Usher remains with the West Australian side, a win at home at RAC will be the curve they need in building momentum.

The Wildcats will take on the New Zealand Breakers at home tonight who are sitting on a 2-5 record.

Tip-off is 9:30pm AEDT tonight, and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo.