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Wagstaff tipped for rookie award

His coach predicts he will be the next big thing in Australian basketball, but Jesse Wagstaff is happy to take things slowly as he looks to carve out a long career with the Perth Wildcats.

The versatile Wagstaff has found his niche in his rookie NBL season, coming off the bench to provide scoring power and strength on the boards as a forward or as a mobile five-man when the Wildcats opt to play small-ball.

Wagstaff was set to sign with South Dragons on the back of a four-year stint in the US with Metro State, but joined the Wildcats after the reigning NBL champions folded in May.

The move paid off, with Wagstaff now flourishing under the guidance of veteran forwards Shawn Redhage and Martin Cattalini.

While captain Redhage has a mortgage on the starting power forward role under coach Rob Beveridge, Wagstaff is content with his responsibilities in the team and believes the style of play in the NBL suits his own game.

"My role is to back up Shawny (Redhage) and (Luke) Schenscher and the more experienced guys, come off the bench and see what I can do," Wagstaff said.

"(Beveridge) says to keep it up and keep doing what I'm doing.

"I think the NBL in particular is kind of a small man's league, there's no real dominance from a really big seven-footer apart from Schenscher. He's one of the few round the league that can really dominate.

"I think we're more accustomed to 6'8-6'9 four/five-men, there's a lot of them going around Australia.

"Versatility is one of the strengths of the NBL and it's good stepping into those shoes."

While veteran centre Paul Rogers has endured another injury-riddled season, an infection in his right elbow and a torn triceps on the same arm look likely to end his career, Wagstaff has benefitted from the increased opportunities afforded to him in Rogers' absence.

His form and versatility have coach Beveridge making bold predictions.

"I think he'll be rookie of the year," Beveridge said.

"There's no doubt all the extra court time is going to make (the young players) better and that's what this club's about.

"Yes, we want to win a championship, but we want to be sustainable over a period of time.

"By investing in the young guys and throwing them in the deep end they'll sink or swim."