Degree of difficulty: Perth signing's fine balance

Earning your first contract as a professional basketballer is challenging enough, but try balancing that with completing a degree in neuroscience.

That’s the juggling act for new Perth Wildcat Thomas Gerovich, who has signed a dream deal with the club he supported growing up. 

Gerovich became the first player to graduate from the Wildcats Academy and gain a development contract, but that’s not the only celebration he’s preparing for this year. 

“So far it’s been good … so far I’ve managed to do it,” he said of balancing sport and study. 

“I told Danny (Mills), I told JR (John Rillie) that I definitely want to finish my degree this year.

“It’s a bit hectic, but once we get into a routine and once all the pre-season stuff dies down, it will be more than fine.”

Gerovich trained with the Wildcats in the off-season, as well as the academy program and played in the NBL1, ultimately realising a “dream come true” after many years as a paid-up member and fan of Perth.

“Any time you can reward someone for the hard work and effort they put into their craft, and Tom is just a great example of what someone has done with their basketball over the last few years and especially in my time here in Perth,” John Rillie said on Wednesday.

“It’s easy to reward someone with the effort, attitude and mindset he has to all of this.

“I would call him an everyday guy, you know what you’re getting from him, whether it’s Monday, Friday, game day or you’re coming into the tough part of the season where you need someone to come in with a consistent work ethic.”

The 20-year-old, 200-centimetre forward will get his chance to impress when the Wildcats play an NBL1 West Select team on Friday night.

The game will be streamed live and free on NBL+ via the NBL App from 9pm AEST.