Star guard Bryce Cotton has the chance to become the new-age Ricky Grace after re-signing with the Perth Wildcats for the next three NBL seasons.
Cotton has been a revelation since arriving at the Wildcats in early 2017, helping guide the club to that season's championship and also winning MVP honours in the grand final series.
His 45-point haul in game three against the Illawarra Hawks is the stuff of legend.
Cotton backed up his remarkable debut campaign by winning last season's NBL MVP award.
The 25-year-old linked up with Italian side Basket Brescia Leonessa once the Wildcats lost their semi-finals series against Adelaide.
Cotton, who has previously played with Utah, Phoenix, and Memphis, had been expected to push for an NBA return rather than re-signing with the Wildcats for the upcoming NBL season.
Grace arrived at the Wildcats from the US in 1990, and ended up spending his entire professional career in Perth, winning four NBL titles in the process.
He became a naturalised Australian in 1994 and represented Australia at the 2000 Olympics.
Whether Cotton follows suit to that extent remains to be seen. But for now, the 186cm guard is excited to create something special at the Wildcats.
"I feel like this was a great move for me. It wasn't really a hard decision," Cotton said.
"I love playing for Perth. It's a great organisation.
"To have some stability and to know where I'll be for these next few years, it's a lot of peace of mind that I get to have."
The Wildcats have recruited Boomers trio Nick Kay, Mitch Norton, and Tom Jervis for the upcoming season.
Veteran Damian Martin, Angus Brandt, Jesse Wagstaff, Clint Steindl, and Rhys Vague remain from last season's squad.
Cotton has averaged 21 points per game over 46 outings for the Wildcats, and coach Trevor Gleeson was pleased to have his star player back for another campaign.
"It's pretty big to have the MVP back for, not only this year, but the next three years," Gleeson said.
"I'm really excited to get this group on the floor. We're going to be younger, we're going to be quicker; I'm looking forward to it."
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