Perth Wildcats
Established	1982
Team Colours	Red, Black and White
Home Venue	Challenge Stadium, Perth
Major Sponsor	None
Championships	1990, 1991, 1995, 1999/00
Team History	Westate Wildcats (1982-1984) Perth Wildcats (1985-Present)
Chairman	Jack Bendat
Director	Andrew Vlahov
Chief Executive	Nick Marvin
Coach	Scott Fisher
Assistant Coach	Connor Henry
Captain	Paul Rogers
Website	www.wildcats.com.au

The Perth Wildcats are an Australian basketball team competing in the National Basketball League. The Wildcats are the only team in the league representing the state of Western Australia and are based in the state capital, Perth. They are one of the most successful teams in the league having achieved four championships during their 24 seasons (equalled by only the Adelaide 36ers) and have currently appeared in the finals for 21 straight seasons (an effort matched by no other NBL club). Image File history File links Perth_Wildcats. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Challenge Stadium, Perth The Challenge Stadium is the premier sports complex in the western suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. ... The Perth skyline veiwed from the Swan River This article is about the urban area of Perth, Western Australia. ... 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... Andrew Vlahov (born April 1, 1969 in Perth, Australia) is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball League of Australia from 1991 through till the 2001/2002 season. ... Scott Fisher is an artist and technologist who has worked extensively on virtual reality, including stints at NASA, Atari Research Labs, MITs Architecture Machine Group and Keio University. ... Paul Rogers (born September 29, 1973 in Adelaide, South Australia) is an Australian basketballer currently playing in the National Basketball League. ... Sara Giauro shoots a three-point shot, FIBA Europe Cup for Women Finals 2005. ... The National Basketball League is Australias top-level professional basketball competition. ... Capital Perth Government Const. ... The Perth skyline veiwed from the Swan River This article is about the urban area of Perth, Western Australia. ... The Adelaide 36ers are Adelaides mens professional basketball team, established as the Adelaide City Eagles when they joined the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1982. ...

History

The 1980s

Formed in 1982 as the Westate Wildcats, the Wildcats became the first, and so far only, Western Australian club to compete in the NBL. The club was initially captained by Mike Ellis and comprised members of the Western Australian state team and several import players. In these early years the Wildcats played at Perry Lakes Stadium and struggled to make an impact on the league. In 1984 the Wildcats changed their name to the Perth Wildcats and in 1987 moved from Perry Lakes to the 5,000 seat Superdrome (now known as Challenge Stadium). Mike Ellis (born in Perth, Western Australia) is a former professional basketball player in the National Basketball League of Australia. ... Perry Lakes Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Floreat, Western Australia, Australia. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Challenge Stadium, Perth The Challenge Stadium is the premier sports complex in the western suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. ...

After signing a number of star players (including Cal Bruton and James Crawford), the Wildcats not only made their first playoff appearance in 1987, but attained a Grand Final berth. Unfortunately for the Wildcats they lost this Grand Final series to the Brisbane Bullets. Despite this loss the 1987 season marked the beginning of 20 straight years of playoff appearances that still runs to this day. Calvin Bruton (born September 29, 1954 in New York, USA) was a player and coach in the Australian National Basketball League. ... James Crawford (born April 13, 1960 in Alabama, USA) is a former professional basketball player in the National Basketball League of Australia from 1982 through till the 1998/99 season. ... A playoff in sports (North American professional sports in particular) is a game or series of games played after the regular season is over with the goal of determining a league champion. ... A Grand Final is the culmination of a series of final matches played between a number of sporting teams to decide the premier team. ... The Brisbane Bullets are a professional basketball team competing in Australias National Basketball League. ...

The following years were not as successful on or off the court for the Wildcats. Significantly the club was forced to deal with the shock death of player Scott Fenton and his fiancée in a car accident during the 1989 season. In his memory, Scott Fenton’s jersey (number 14) became the first to be retired by the club. Scott Fenton (November 5, 1964 - August 21, 1989) was a professional basketball player who played 140 games in the National Basketball League of Australia from 1982 until his death in 1989[1]. Fenton began his NBL career with the Bankstown Bruins in 1982 before moving to the Sydney Supersonics for... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The 1990s

Mike Ellis celebrates the Wildcats first championship.

A new decade saw the Wildcats move once again, now to the 8,200 seat Perth Entertainment Centre. The 1990 season also began with turmoil as coach Alan Black was controversially fired after only two games. Despite this shaky start to the season the Wildcats charged into the Grand Final and achieved their first NBL championship by defeating the Brisbane Bullets in Brisbane. The Wildcats backed up this effort by becoming the third team in NBL history to win back-to-back champions by defeating the Eastside Spectres in 1991 in front of a home crowd. Image File history File links Mike_Ellis. ... Image File history File links Mike_Ellis. ... Perth Entertainment Centre is an indoor arena located in Wellington Street in the city centre of Perth, Western Australia. ... 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Alan Black is a former basketball player and a current basketball coach in the Australian National Basketball League. ... Championship is a term used to refer to various forms of sports competitions in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion; that is, the best competitor. ... Brisbane (pronounced ) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia, with a metropolitan population of 1. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Wildcats were destined for more turmoil in 1992: they were unable to secure a hat-trick of championships, they lost player Kendall (Tiny) Pinder in very controversial circumstances, and captain Mike Ellis retired at the end of the season. Andrew Vlahov became captain of the club in 1993 and the Wildcats competed in other Grand Final campaign. This time however the Wildcats were defeated in a tough battle with the Melbourne Tigers who claimed their first NBL championship. The Wildcats lost by two points. The television broadcast of the game incorrectly displayed the final scores as a one point loss. Media:rofl. ... Kendall Nathaniel (Tiny) Pinder is an American former basketball player. ... Andrew Vlahov (born April 1, 1969 in Perth, Australia) is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball League of Australia from 1991 through till the 2001/2002 season. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... The Melbourne Tigers is a team in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL), and along with the South Dragons is one of two teams based in Melbourne. ...

The 1994 season was lacklustre, with sixteen wins and ten losses in the regular season and elimination 2-0 in the quarter-finals by the South-East Melbourne Magic. By contrast 1995 saw the Wildcats sitting on top of the table and eventually blitzing the North Melbourne Giants in game three of the series. The Wildcats third championship also allowed the club to travel to the McDonald’s Championship in London to play against the best clubs in the world. The Wildcats lost against the Houston Rockets from the NBA 116 - 72 in their first game of the tournament, but defeated Real Madrid 93 - 86 in their second game. The South East Melbourne Magic were an Australian basketball team, that played in Melbourne, Victoria, in the National Basketball League. ... The North Melbourne Giants were an Australian basketball team, that played in Melbourne, Victoria, in the National Basketball League. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. ... The National Basketball Association of the United States and Canada, commonly known as the NBA, is the premier professional basketball league in North America. ... Real Madrid Baloncesto is a Spanish basketball team. ...

The 1997 season became the testimonial season for James Crawford who was expected to retire at the end of that season. The Wildcats hosted an exhibition match against James Crawford’s all-star team, which featured many NBL stars both current and retired. Although touted as Crawford’s retirement year he continued to play until injury forced him out during the 1998/99 season. 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... James Crawford (born April 13, 1960 in Alabama, USA) is a former professional basketball player in the National Basketball League of Australia from 1982 through till the 1998/99 season. ...

2000 to Present

Andrew Vlahov celebrates the 1999/2000 championship.

Andrew Vlahov and Luc Longley purchased the Wildcats from businessman Kerry Stokes for the 1999/2000 season. The season itself was very successful for the Wildcats as they claimed their fourth championship against the Victoria Titans becoming the first team in NBL history to do so. To top off the stellar season, centre Paul Rogers became the first Wildcat to win the Most Valuable Player award. Image File history File links Andrew_Vlahov. ... Image File history File links Andrew_Vlahov. ... Luc Longley Luc Longley headshot Lucien James Luc Longley (born January 19, 1969 in Melbourne, Australia, ) was the first Australian to play in the NBA. He attended college at the University of New Mexico. ... Kerry Stokes is the chairman of Seven Network, one of the largest broadcasting corporations in Australia, and a recipient of the Order of Australia recognising his contributions to Australian business. ... The Victoria Titans were an Australian basketball team, that played in Melbourne, Victoria, in the National Basketball League. ... Paul Rogers (born September 29, 1973 in Adelaide, South Australia) is an Australian basketballer currently playing in the National Basketball League. ... 1979 Ken Richardson (West Adelaide Bearcats) 1980 Rocky Smith (St. ...

The end of the 2001/02 season saw the Wildcats leave the Perth Entertainment Centre for a return to their old home the Superdrome (now Challenge Stadium). Till then, Perth had avoided the league's fall in attendance, thanks to the team's performances and the popular central CBD location of the arena, but the Perth Entertainment Centre was no longer viable for its owner Kerry Stokes as basketball was not the primary tenant, and he was forced to close the venue and relocate the team back to their former and unpopular suburban-based arena.

Ricky Grace as captain of the club.

Ricky Grace became captain of the club in 2002/03 when Andrew Vlahov retired from the league. The season saw the Wildcats head to their seventh Grand Final, where unfortunately for the Wildcats they were defeated by the Sydney Kings in their first championship. More controversy followed as coach Alan Black was fired for the second time by the club. Image File history File links Ricky_Grace. ... Image File history File links Ricky_Grace. ... Ricky Grace in his final NBL season. ... The Sydney Kings are a basketball team competing in the National Basketball League in Australia. ...

Mike Ellis became coach for the following season, but his tenure was short, being replaced the following season by Scott Fisher. The 2004/05 season saw the end of an era as captain Ricky Grace played his last game with the club. Grace was the only remaining member of all the Wildcats championships and had been an integral part of the club for 15 years. In order to celebrate his career with the Wildcats a legends match was held featuring many retired Wildcats stars (including Bruton, Crawford, Ellis, Vlahov and Fisher), current and retired NBL stars (including Leroy Loggins, Andrew Gaze, Al Green and Phil Smyth). Scott Fisher (born July 20, 1963 in San Jose, California, USA) is an American-Australian former basketball player and current head coach of the National Basketball Leagues Perth Wildcats. ... Leroy Loggins playing for the Brisbane Bullets in the late 90s. ... Andrew Gaze (born July 24, 1965 in Melbourne, Australia) is Australias best known basketball player, and possibly its best ever. ... Phil Smyth (born May 11, 1958 in Adelaide, South Australia) is an Australian former basketball player and current head coach of the National Basketball Leagues Adelaide 36ers. ...

With Grace retired, veteran player Tony Ronaldson became captain of the Wildcats in 2005/06, but was relieved of his captaincy after only one season. Anthony Dean Ronaldson (born May 25, 1972 in Adelaide, South Australia) is an Australian basketballer currently playing in the National Basketball League. ...

The Wildcats have also been instrumental in the NBL's push towards promoting the league in the lucrative Asian market over the last few years. Not only have Wildcats games been telecast to millions of potential viewers in South East Asia, but the Wildcats have hosted several regular season games in Singapore in an event known as the "Singapore Spectacular". World map showing the location of Asia. ... Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ...

In February 2006, West Australian Jack Bendat became the Chairman and majority shareholder of the club. Although no longer being the majority shareholder, Andrew Vlahov remains in control of the club as the Managing Director [1].-1... For other uses of chair, see chair (disambiguation). ... Managing director is the term used for the chief executive of many limited companies in the United Kingdom and some other English speaking countries. ...

In August 2006, Paul Rogers became the fifth player to captain the Wildcats [2]. Rogers replaced Tony Ronaldson as captain for the 2006/07, despite Ronaldson continuing to play for the club. August is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ...

As of late 2006 a new Perth Arena is being built on the former Perth Entertainment Centre car park. The arena will be the Wildcats' new home when complete in 2009. It will see the Wildcats return to the Perth CBD and will seat over 12,000 spectators. Perth Arena is a new indoor sporting and entertainment arena located on Wellington Street in the city centre of Perth, Western Australia. ... 2009 (MMIX) will be a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... CBD may stand for: Central business district Convention on Biological Diversity Cannabidiol, a cannabinoid from Cannabis sativa (hemp). ...

Retired Jerseys

• #6 Mike Ellis
  
• #7 James Crawford
  
• #14 Scott Fenton (deceased)
  
• #15 Ricky Grace
  
• #21 Andrew Vlahov
  
• #30 Scott Fisher

Mike Ellis (born in Perth, Western Australia) is a former professional basketball player in the National Basketball League of Australia. ... James Crawford may refer to James Crawford (1960-), who played in the National Basketball League of Australia James Crawford, a former member of the Canadian House of Commons James Crawford, the first Historiographer Royal in Scotland Professor James Crawford (jurist), Whewell Professor of International Law at the University of Cambridge... Scott Fenton (November 5, 1964 - August 21, 1989) was a professional basketball player who played 140 games in the National Basketball League of Australia from 1982 until his death in 1989[1]. Fenton began his NBL career with the Bankstown Bruins in 1982 before moving to the Sydney Supersonics for... Ricky Grace in his final NBL season. ... Andrew Vlahov (born April 1, 1969 in Perth, Australia) is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball League of Australia from 1991 through till the 2001/2002 season. ... Scott Fisher is an artist and technologist who has worked extensively on virtual reality, including stints at NASA, Atari Research Labs, MITs Architecture Machine Group and Keio University. ...

Honour Roll

Source: www.nbl.com.au James Harvey (born July 4, 1922) was a United States Representative from Michigan. ... Matthew Burston (born November 25, 1982 in Perth) is an Australian professional basketball player, currently playing for the South Dragons in the National Basketball League (NBL). ... Peter Crawford (born November 6, 1979 in Mount Isa, Queensland) is an Australian basketballer currently playing in the National Basketball League. ... Category: ...

Season-by-Season

1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Calvin Bruton (born September 29, 1954 in New York, USA) was a player and coach in the Australian National Basketball League. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Media:rofl. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ...

Current roster

Perth Wildcats Current Roster
Head Coach: Scott Fisher				Edit
G	1		Darren Brooks *	(St. Louis;Southern Illinois University)
F	2		Tony Ronaldson	(SA;Arizona State University)
G	5		Adam Caporn	(WA;Saint Mary's College of California)
G/F	8		Peter Crawford	(QLD)
C	9		Paul Rogers - Captain	(SA;Gonzaga University)
F	10		Jeff Dowdell	(NSW)
G	13		Damien Ryan	(VIC)
G	22		Brad Robbins	(VIC)
G	34		Chris Novak #	(QLD)
F	42		Shawn Redhage *	(Nebraska;Arizona State University)
C	45		Justin Brown	(WA;University of Connecticut)
G	55		Ben Hunt	(VIC;Texas Wesleyan University)
* = Import, # = Development Player				Perth Wildcats

Scott Fisher (born July 20, 1963 in San Jose, California, USA) is an American-Australian former basketball player and current head coach of the National Basketball Leagues Perth Wildcats. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Southern Illinois University is a university in southern Illinois with two institutions and multiple campuses. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Anthony Dean Ronaldson (born May 25, 1972 in Adelaide, South Australia) is an Australian basketballer currently playing in the National Basketball League. ... Emblems: Hairy Nosed Wombat (faunal); Leafy Seadragon (marine); Piping Shrike (bird: unofficial); Sturts Desert Pea (floral); Opal (gemstone) Motto: United for the Common Wealth Slogan or Nickname: Festival State Other Australian states and territories Capital Adelaide Government Const. ... Arizona State University (ASU) is a public institution of higher education and research with several campuses located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Capital Perth Government Const. ... Saint Marys College of California is a private, coeducational college located in Moraga, California. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Peter Crawford (born November 6, 1979 in Mount Isa, Queensland) is an Australian basketballer currently playing in the National Basketball League. ... Capital Brisbane Government Const. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Paul Rogers (born September 29, 1973 in Adelaide, South Australia) is an Australian basketballer currently playing in the National Basketball League. ... Emblems: Hairy Nosed Wombat (faunal); Leafy Seadragon (marine); Piping Shrike (bird: unofficial); Sturts Desert Pea (floral); Opal (gemstone) Motto: United for the Common Wealth Slogan or Nickname: Festival State Other Australian states and territories Capital Adelaide Government Const. ... It has been suggested that Gonzaga Bulletin be merged into this article or section. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Capital Sydney Government Const. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Damien Ryan (born September 20, 1979 in Melbourne, Victoria) is an Australian basketballer currently playing in the National Basketball League. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Capital Brisbane Government Const. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States. ... Shawn Redhage (born January 21, 1981 in Lincoln, Nebraska) is an American basketballer currently playing in the National Basketball League for the Perth Wildcats. ... Official language(s) English Capital Lincoln Largest city Omaha Largest metro area Omaha Area  Ranked 16th  - Total 77,421 sq mi (200,520 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 430 miles (690 km)  - % water 0. ... Arizona State University (ASU) is a public institution of higher education and research with several campuses located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Capital Perth Government Const. ... It has been suggested that Torrey Life Science be merged into this article or section. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... Texas Wesleyan University is a private college located in the southeast part of Fort Worth, Texas. ...

References

• Sgroi, D. (Producer). (2004). Perth Wildcats: Behind the Ball. [Motion Picture]. (Available from the Promote Media Group, Morley Commercial Centre, Cnr Boag Road & Russell Street, Morley, Western Australia)

Websites

• Official Perth Wildcats Webpage
• Official National Basketball League Website