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NBA prospect adds firepower to Wildcats' NBL title bid

NBA prospect adds firepower to Wildcats' NBL title bid

The Advertiser2 days ago
NBA prospect Ben Henshall has re-signed with the Perth Wildcats in a significant boost to the club's NBL championship hopes.
Henshall put himself on NBA scouts' radars during a breakout campaign with the Wildcats last season, earning a nomination for the NBL's most improved player award.
The 21-year-old West Australian initially nominated for the NBA draft but withdrew with an eye to bolstering his future prospects.
"It is exciting to have Ben back while trusting us to help him chase his goal of the NBA," Wildcats coach John Rillie said.
"His shot-making and explosive scoring ability complements the other pieces on our roster."
Henshall will play for the Australian Boomers as they seek to claim a third straight FIBA Asia Cup title this month.
The 195cm swingman will then turn his attention to helping the Wildcats launch another championship push following the messy departure of club legend Bryce Cotton.
"Super excited to re-sign and continue my journey with Perth," Henshall said.
"Can't wait to play in front of the Red Army again and chase that championship."
The Wildcats have managed to piece together a strong roster despite five-time NBL MVP Cotton leaving to join the Adelaide 36ers.
US imports Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler have returned, while marquee centre Jo Lual-Acuil is a huge addition.
Veteran forward Jesse Wagstaff, Sunday Dech and Elijah Pepper are also on the books.
Meanwhile, the Tasmanian JackJumpers will likely use their final import spot to recruit a floor general after point guard Sean McDonald tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the Boomers' sole Asia Cup warm-up game.
The luckless McDonald suffered the injury while driving to the basket in Thursday's 93-87 defeat of University of Colorado on the Gold Coast.
It continues a torrid run of injuries for the Victorian, who was set to play a key role this season after foot and ankle injuries derailed his previous two campaigns.
"We're absolutely devastated for Sean," JackJumpers general manager of basketball Darren Smith said.
"We'll do everything we can to support him in his recovery and keep him engaged in the program.
"He'll absolutely still play a key role for us with his incredible basketball IQ, albeit from the sidelines."
NBA prospect Ben Henshall has re-signed with the Perth Wildcats in a significant boost to the club's NBL championship hopes.
Henshall put himself on NBA scouts' radars during a breakout campaign with the Wildcats last season, earning a nomination for the NBL's most improved player award.
The 21-year-old West Australian initially nominated for the NBA draft but withdrew with an eye to bolstering his future prospects.
"It is exciting to have Ben back while trusting us to help him chase his goal of the NBA," Wildcats coach John Rillie said.
"His shot-making and explosive scoring ability complements the other pieces on our roster."
Henshall will play for the Australian Boomers as they seek to claim a third straight FIBA Asia Cup title this month.
The 195cm swingman will then turn his attention to helping the Wildcats launch another championship push following the messy departure of club legend Bryce Cotton.
"Super excited to re-sign and continue my journey with Perth," Henshall said.
"Can't wait to play in front of the Red Army again and chase that championship."
The Wildcats have managed to piece together a strong roster despite five-time NBL MVP Cotton leaving to join the Adelaide 36ers.
US imports Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler have returned, while marquee centre Jo Lual-Acuil is a huge addition.
Veteran forward Jesse Wagstaff, Sunday Dech and Elijah Pepper are also on the books.
Meanwhile, the Tasmanian JackJumpers will likely use their final import spot to recruit a floor general after point guard Sean McDonald tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the Boomers' sole Asia Cup warm-up game.
The luckless McDonald suffered the injury while driving to the basket in Thursday's 93-87 defeat of University of Colorado on the Gold Coast.
It continues a torrid run of injuries for the Victorian, who was set to play a key role this season after foot and ankle injuries derailed his previous two campaigns.
"We're absolutely devastated for Sean," JackJumpers general manager of basketball Darren Smith said.
"We'll do everything we can to support him in his recovery and keep him engaged in the program.
"He'll absolutely still play a key role for us with his incredible basketball IQ, albeit from the sidelines."
NBA prospect Ben Henshall has re-signed with the Perth Wildcats in a significant boost to the club's NBL championship hopes.
Henshall put himself on NBA scouts' radars during a breakout campaign with the Wildcats last season, earning a nomination for the NBL's most improved player award.
The 21-year-old West Australian initially nominated for the NBA draft but withdrew with an eye to bolstering his future prospects.
"It is exciting to have Ben back while trusting us to help him chase his goal of the NBA," Wildcats coach John Rillie said.
"His shot-making and explosive scoring ability complements the other pieces on our roster."
Henshall will play for the Australian Boomers as they seek to claim a third straight FIBA Asia Cup title this month.
The 195cm swingman will then turn his attention to helping the Wildcats launch another championship push following the messy departure of club legend Bryce Cotton.
"Super excited to re-sign and continue my journey with Perth," Henshall said.
"Can't wait to play in front of the Red Army again and chase that championship."
The Wildcats have managed to piece together a strong roster despite five-time NBL MVP Cotton leaving to join the Adelaide 36ers.
US imports Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler have returned, while marquee centre Jo Lual-Acuil is a huge addition.
Veteran forward Jesse Wagstaff, Sunday Dech and Elijah Pepper are also on the books.
Meanwhile, the Tasmanian JackJumpers will likely use their final import spot to recruit a floor general after point guard Sean McDonald tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the Boomers' sole Asia Cup warm-up game.
The luckless McDonald suffered the injury while driving to the basket in Thursday's 93-87 defeat of University of Colorado on the Gold Coast.
It continues a torrid run of injuries for the Victorian, who was set to play a key role this season after foot and ankle injuries derailed his previous two campaigns.
"We're absolutely devastated for Sean," JackJumpers general manager of basketball Darren Smith said.
"We'll do everything we can to support him in his recovery and keep him engaged in the program.
"He'll absolutely still play a key role for us with his incredible basketball IQ, albeit from the sidelines."
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Lions roar back in style against flat Magpies
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Lions roar back in style against flat Magpies

The Brisbane Lions have responded after a QClash debacle to knock off Collingwood by 27 points in a potential grand final preview in front of 82,326 fans. After suffering a 66-point belting by Gold Coast last Saturday, the reigning premiers roared back to defeat the Magpies at the MCG for the first time since 2014. Leading by 19 points at three-quarter time, Brisbane had to overcome some nerves in the final term to win 14.8 (92) to 10.5 (65) in front of the biggest home-and-away crowd for a non-Victorian team. Emerging forward Logan Morris bagged a career-best six goals in a commanding display - the first Lions player to kick that many majors in a MCG game since Jonathan Brown in 2004. Morris had terrific support from young ruck-forward Henry Smith, who slotted three first-half goals in his first game for 2025. Smith came in to replace sore Oscar McInerney, who continues to struggle with a debilitating back injury. 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But after being sidelined for three months, the Magpies opted to take it easy with their dynamic ace, subbing him out during the third quarter. Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, who has missed a month due to personal reasons, came into the game for De Goey. Hill flew for a trademark speccy in the last quarter after Lions star Will Ashcroft inexplicably kicked across goal. The Pies' second term was the only period when they looked close to their best, managing just three goals after halftime in a concerning form line so close to September. It was Collingwood's third defeat in four matches, meaning they will finish the round off the top of the ladder, replaced by surging Adelaide. "We've won one of our last two ... it's feedback, but I just have a positive lens," Collingwood coach Craig McRae said, dismissing concerns over the Magpies' form. "We were outplayed by a really good team, a hungry team. "Our second quarter was pretty dominant ... 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"It was really pleasing with a younger team to be able to come here and play in a big game in front of a big crowd and produce a really tough performance." Brisbane were dealt a major blow to their defensive structure when they lost premiership veteran Ryan Lester to concussion at the start of the second quarter. Trailing by 20 points at quarter-time, Collingwood powered ahead with five goals to two in the second term, including a long bomb to returning star Jordan De Goey. But after being sidelined for three months, the Magpies opted to take it easy with their dynamic ace, subbing him out during the third quarter. Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, who has missed a month due to personal reasons, came into the game for De Goey. Hill flew for a trademark speccy in the last quarter after Lions star Will Ashcroft inexplicably kicked across goal. The Pies' second term was the only period when they looked close to their best, managing just three goals after halftime in a concerning form line so close to September. It was Collingwood's third defeat in four matches, meaning they will finish the round off the top of the ladder, replaced by surging Adelaide. "We've won one of our last two ... it's feedback, but I just have a positive lens," Collingwood coach Craig McRae said, dismissing concerns over the Magpies' form. "We were outplayed by a really good team, a hungry team. "Our second quarter was pretty dominant ... I want to dig into that and why that was the case and let's repeat that behaviour." The Daicos brothers, Nick and Josh, were typically dominant early, but their influence faded as the game went on. It was the Magpies' first loss to the Lions since round 23, 2023, having won their previous four games against Brisbane. The Brisbane Lions have responded after a QClash debacle to knock off Collingwood by 27 points in a potential grand final preview in front of 82,326 fans. After suffering a 66-point belting by Gold Coast last Saturday, the reigning premiers roared back to defeat the Magpies at the MCG for the first time since 2014. Leading by 19 points at three-quarter time, Brisbane had to overcome some nerves in the final term to win 14.8 (92) to 10.5 (65) in front of the biggest home-and-away crowd for a non-Victorian team. Emerging forward Logan Morris bagged a career-best six goals in a commanding display - the first Lions player to kick that many majors in a MCG game since Jonathan Brown in 2004. Morris had terrific support from young ruck-forward Henry Smith, who slotted three first-half goals in his first game for 2025. Smith came in to replace sore Oscar McInerney, who continues to struggle with a debilitating back injury. 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I want to dig into that and why that was the case and let's repeat that behaviour." The Daicos brothers, Nick and Josh, were typically dominant early, but their influence faded as the game went on. It was the Magpies' first loss to the Lions since round 23, 2023, having won their previous four games against Brisbane.

Lions roar back in style against flat Magpies
Lions roar back in style against flat Magpies

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Pregnant wife of former NBA star bitten by shark
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Pregnant wife of former NBA star bitten by shark

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