Wagstaff refutes Wildcats' comparisons

As he approaches his 450^th NBL game, Perth captain Jesse Wagstaff has dismissed the legitimacy of the term ‘Wildcats basketball’, and says every team he has played on has been different.

Wagstaff began his NBL career in 2009 and was named both the competition’s Rookie of the Year and an NBL champion in his first campaign, and has gone on to play in a record-equaling six championships – a number only matched by CJ Bruton, David Stiff and long-time Perth teammate Damian Martin.

Five of those titles were won under legendary head coach Trevor Gleeson, who built a side that was renowned for its toughness and defensive grit, but Wagstaff says it’s unfair to compare the current side to any former Perth team.

“Everyone likes to throw the term ‘Wildcats basketball’ out, but we’re not the Wildcats of last year, we’re not the Wildcats of 10 years ago, we’re not the Wildcats of 20 years ago,” Wagstaff said.

“There are many ways to win a championship. We had some success defensively, but this team is built differently.

“We are who we are and we’re going to go about it a different way than five years ago and that’s ok, we own that, and it’s different.

“We have our own identity and ‘JR’ (John Rillie) is a different coach that Scott (Morrison) was and Scott’s a different coach than Trev (Gleeson) was.”

Should Wagstaff take to the floor in Saturday’s clash with Adelaide he’ll become the 30^th player in NBL history to reach 450 games.

Fellow former Perth player and four-time NBL champion Martin Cattalini currently occupies the 29^th spot on the all-time appearance list with 452, but Wagstaff is still some ways behind all-time record NBL appearance maker Tony Ronaldson.

Ronaldson suited up for a record 612 games across his career, and Wagstaff believes there are players who could challenge Ronaldson’s record in the future.

“Maybe Tony Ronaldson’s record might stick around for a while but I think there’ll still be guys getting up there,” he said.

“There’s different pathways now, there’s college that’s still up there, there are guys coming through the development program, there’s Next Stars, there’s multiple pathways to do it and obviously college eats in four years – which I did – but there will still be some guys getting up there.

“I said during the week 450 games is exciting enough but to play them with one club and an organisation such as the Wildcats, I consider it a privilege and it’s a huge honour.”

He also didn’t rule out an attempt on the record himself.

“We’ll see. My legs and body feel alright now but ask me again in six months and it might be a different answer.”

Wagstaff started last week’s loss to Sydney due to a severe looking injury suffered by incumbent starting power forward Kristian Doolittle, who had to be helped from the court in the Wildcats’ earlier Round 3 clash with Melbourne.

Doolittle’s initial prognosis was all but positive, and while Wagstaff remained coy on when the former Baloncesto Superior Nacional champion could return to the lineup, it seems like the injury isn’t as severe as first feared.

Kristian Doolittle is helped from the court in Perth's Round 3 loss to Melbourne.

“I actually haven’t seen the vision back. I thought it was a hyperextension so you look at ACLs and MCLs and ligaments – obviously that’s worst-case scenario,” he said.

“I think he’s quite a tough individual as well, so to see him not be able to put weight on it was concerning but from all accounts it’s not as bad as first thought.

“He didn’t train with the group but he’s on-court and is moving well from what I’ve seen. It’s above my paygrade, but I love what he’s been providing. He’s a calming influence who rarely makes a bad decision. He’s been great for us.

“He’s incredibly strong, he’s incredibly balanced – he’s never off balance or out of control – he’s got a great offensive skillset which I think we’ve only seen a little bit of, rarely makes a bad decision and doesn’t say too much, he just lets his game do the talking.

“I love what he’s bringing and he’s a good rebounder too, good size and good strength. If he’s on the team we’re a better team.”

Perth plays just once in Round 4, when they take on Adelaide on Saturday night at 8pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo Sports.