Wildcat Tom Jervis tipped to dominate
Rookie of the year Tom Jervis will be an even more dominant force in the NBL this season, according to Perth Wildcats teammate Matt Knight.
Jervis, 27, earned a call-up to the Boomers earlier this year after a breakout 2013-2014 season when he played all 33 games.
The 211cm centre forced his way into the Wildcats rotation despite the strength of their squad, averaging more than five points and five rebounds in 17 minutes a game.
He toyed with free agency and even met Melbourne United, but decided to re-sign with the Wildcats for another two seasons in June.
Knight has spent the off-season going toe to toe with Jervis at training.
"He took massive steps last year and I think he's going to take even more this year," Knight said.
"He's trained really well and he's played really well in the pre-season games.
"It's fantastic to go against someone as good as Tommy.
"We can push each other and help each others' game and make each other better."
Despite missing the Margaret River leg of the club's three-match pre-season series against Melbourne with back soreness, Knight said he was ready for the start of the season. Perth begin their title defence against the New Zealand Breakers at home tomorrow week.
"It's early pre-season, so I just gave it a bit of a rest," Knight, 29, said.
"But I'm feeling great now. The rest really helped my body. I'm not young any more, I'm getting older. I've got to listen to what my body's telling me and if I've got any soreness the coaching staff and (strength and conditioning coach) Josh Cavanagh are really helping me out with that.
"It's good to finally have a full pre-season.
"I think it's really showing in my game and hopefully I can carry that through into the season."
Perth's hopes of making a winning start to the season have been boosted with New Zealand duo Tom Abercrombie and Alex Pledger likely to miss next Friday's game because of injury.
Pledger is still recovering from foot surgery while Abercrombie will have a hernia operation tomorrow.
"He took massive steps last year and I think he's going to take even more this year.""Wildcat *Matt Knight *on Tom Jervis
