Wildcats to manage Doolittle return

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie admits the club needs to be “mindful” with how it approaches the return of star import Kristian Doolittle this weekend.

Doolittle will play his first game since December 6 this Sunday against the Tasmania JackJumpers after recovering from a groin injury. 

Rillie is excited to have the versatile forward return but wants to build him back into form and fitness, like they have with Keanu Pinder’s comeback from an illness.  

“We’ve got to be mindful of him coming back after an extended period on the sidelines,” Rillie said.

“He’s usually someone who you are logging 33-36 minutes a game. It would be unfair on him for me to think we can just throw him into the deep end but then also, thinking about our next 10 or 12 days in how we can progress him through those.

“It’s great to have Kristian back. It’s his importance both offensively and defensively. He’s our team’s leading rebounder so to bring that back into the group is nice. I’m looking forward to that.” 

Perth’s trip to Tasmania on Sunday is also its Summer Shootout game, as it will look to run the score up on the defending champions. Tip-off is at 2:30pm AEDT live on ESPN and Channel 10.