Another NBA prospect in Wildcats' grasp
The Perth Wildcats are believed to be on the verge of securing second-round NBA draft pick DeAndre Daniels as a replacement for Miami-bound star James Ennis.
Daniels was taken at pick No.37 overall in this year's NBA draft by Toronto, who are understood to be eager to send the small forward overseas to gain much-needed playing time.
Daniels was a key part of the University of Connecticut's 2013-14 NCAA championship team, averaging 16 points and seven rebounds a game.
In five NBA Summer League games for Toronto, Daniels averaged 10 points and six rebounds.
The 22-year-old, from Los Angeles, will likely sign a season-long deal with the Wildcats.
By sending Daniels overseas, Toronto will retain rights to the player when he returns to the NBA next season.
Wildcats management would not confirm the deal when contacted by The West Australian.
But it is understood Daniels could arrive in Perth this month to prepare for the season, which begins on October 10.
The Wildcats proved their worth as a development tool for NBA prospects last season, providing a platform for rookie forward Ennis to improve himself on and off the court.
Ennis finished third in NBL MVP voting after his one season in Perth before being called up by the Heat.
The success of the Ennis experiment created plenty of publicity for the NBL in the US and generated respect for the Wildcats' program.
