In The Post – Friday October 15

Catch up on all the latest headlines from around the basketball world in today’s edition of In the Post.

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Hopson signs with Thunder 

Former Melbourne United and New Zealand Breakers star Scotty Hopson is headed back to the NBA, signing an Exhibit 10 deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Hopson will team up with NBL21 Rookie of the Year Josh Giddey in Oklahoma City. Giddey recorded 14 points, six rebounds and three assists in a preseason win over Denver yesterday.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Thunder has signed Scotty Hopson to an Exhibit 10 deal. Hopson played for the Blue from 2018-20.</p>&mdash; Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) <a href="https://twitter.com/joe_mussatto/status/1448765812333060104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Cotton back to 100% health 

After a knee injury forced his NBL21 campaign to finish early, three-time MVP and Perth Wildcats star Bryce Cotton has sent a stern warning to the league – he is back.

“I’m myself again. It’s very exciting. Any time you go through an injury, especially that requires surgery, there’s a thought you try not to give too much attention to, but it floats in the back of your mind, am I going to fully recover?” Cotton said.

“But our staff did a great job with me. We put plans in place and I made sure I stayed disciplined and did what they told me to do. My body is good again so I am happy as ever.”

36ers keeping import spot open

The Adelaide 36ers are keeping their third import spot free until the season is underway according to Channel 7.

“(I have) had a lot of calls from agents and players around Australia and overseas,” 36ers coach CJ Bruton said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great to see new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Adelaide?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Adelaide</a> 36ers coach CJ Bruton upbeat &amp; smiling today after a health scare <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/6CBIvXmbs3">pic.twitter.com/6CBIvXmbs3</a></p>&mdash; John Casey (@JohnCasey2880) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnCasey2880/status/1448212258366976003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Tasmania “really excited” to host Blitz again

Tasmania Sports Minister Jane Howlett says the state can’t wait to host six NBL teams from November 14-28 for the NBL Blitz, the second time the event comes to Tasmania in the past three years.

“We are really excited about that, and the six teams will be playing games right around the state and the teams will be interacting with players right around the state and doing lots of grass roots engagements,” Howlett said.

Indigenous touch on Wildcats jersey a “beautiful thing”

Balladung and Wadjuk representative Barry McGuire helped design the Indigenous markings on the new Perth Wildcats jerseys and says the additions are a “beautiful thing”.

“When I heard the Wildcats wanted to incorporate Indigenous markings on their everyday jersey, I was overwhelmed,” McGuire said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Indigenous artwork taking pride-of-place on our 2021/22 home and away uniforms was designed by Balladung and Wadjuk representative Barry McGuire.<br><br>Hear from Barry as he explains the meaning behind the markings.<br><br>? More: <a href="https://t.co/1ojW2ztr5G">https://t.co/1ojW2ztr5G</a> <a href="https://t.co/miCxNodATx">pic.twitter.com/miCxNodATx</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1448453246415106048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“Wherever you go, our West Australian markings are there protecting our brothers and our sisters as they travel. To see that living on the Wildcats jersey every day, I’m so honoured to be able to bring forth this marking of old to sit on something new, to protect our Wildcats.

“These old markings included in the uniform say, ‘We’re from the west, we’re from Noongar country, we’re from Wadjuk land.’ That’s a beautiful thing.”

Bogut’s advice to Bruce

Sydney Kings part owner Andrew Bogut is making a big impact on the playing group, becoming a leadership mentor for point guard Shaun Bruce.

"In terms of myself, in terms of being more of a leader, Bogues has been touching base with me a lot,” Bruce told SEN Sydney.

“I learnt a lot from him as a player just watching him and being his teammate but also in the last few weeks touching base and being on the phone with him a little bit with managing different things, it's been unbelievable.”