Burton on cloud nine over Cats takeover

Perth Lynx recruit Nat Burton is already daring to think about turning a hometown WNBL championship dream into a euphoric reality.

Burton, who was this week revealed as the renamed team’s first recruit after it was taken over by the Perth Wildcats, could not hide her excitement at returning home to WA after a one-season stint with the Melbourne Boomers.

The 194cm centre and Opals squad member said she shared the vision of new owner, Perth businessman Jack Bendat, who promised to use his wealth to turn the Lynx into an instant powerhouse.

“It would be amazing and so good for women’s basketball in WA,” Burton said.

“Just to get to that point that we can prove to the other teams in the league that we deserve to be here and we can fight and not just lay down and continue a not-so-successful basketball history.

“Flying to WA is a big road trip and no one looks forward to it, so we have to make that more intimidating for them.

“I’ve sometimes been pinching myself wondering if this is all a dream because I get so, so excited about what it could all do.”

Burton, who spent four years playing US college basketball with West Virginia University, said she had heard whispers about the Wildcats’ takeover of the struggling West Coast Waves before she was approached to return home.

But once she was asked, she accepted the offer in a heartbeat in the hope the Lynx would get the chance to follow the success of their Wildcats stablemates.

“It’s so great and exciting,” the 26-year-old said.

“My family is here, so I get to be with them which is really great because I miss them a lot when I’m away.

“When I found out it was happening, I just thought about what the Wildcats promote and what they are as a brand and how good they are with basketball.”