Wildcats hire Hire
Perth Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge has dismissed concerns about entering a second successive NBL season with an undersized squad after confirming Wanneroo forward Greg Hire would fill the final roster spot.
The Wildcats have been without a quintessential "seven-footer" since 216cm giant Luke Schenscher left the club last year and considered offering East Perth centre Tom Jervis (213cm) a contract.
Matt Knight is the Wildcats' tallest current player at 207cm, but Beveridge said his team's lack of height was an asset rather than a hindrance.
The mobile Wildcats led the league in rebounding last season and troubled bigger teams with their quick transition.
"People ask how we are going to match up on guys like Luke Schenscher, Alex Pledger and Ian Crosswhite, but I look at how on earth they are going to match up on us," Beveridge said.
"There's always two sides to it. We've got people who are tenacious on the glass, we've got wonderful rebounding guards and I don't believe that was an area that hurt us at all last year."
Beveridge said Hire had shown the required desire to improve his game since signing with the Wildcats as a development player last season.
The 23-year-old has proved his ability at SBL level, averaging 21 points and 17 rebounds a game this season as captain of Wanneroo Wolves, who are into the semifinals starting on Saturday.
"Greg's strong enough and mentally and physically tough enough to play against any big man in the league," Beveridge said.
"He's proved that in the SBL, and even though it's a lower level you can't ignore someone who is putting up numbers like that."
The Wildcats' pre-season campaign will include games against the Shanghai Sharks and Singapore Slingers as part of a two-day event in Broome on September 30-October 1.
The inaugural Cable Beach Invitational tournament will be played on a purpose-built open court with seating for 1500 spectators.
The court will overlook Cable Beach and the AFL grand final will be broadcast live on a big screen outside the venue.
Shanghai and Singapore will also play games against the Indonesian national team.
An artist's impression of the proposed Broome basketball court.
