The emerging Wildcat looming as key Free Agency target

Heading into the NBL27 Free Agency, one of the hottest names is rising star Elijah Pepper.

The young Perth Wildcat took his game to the next level during his second season in the Hungry Jack’s NBL.

Through the first 11 rounds, Pepper averaged 7.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, across 12.5 minutes a game.

But when the opportunity presented itself in the second half of the season, the 24-year-old averaged 13 points, 2.7 boards and 1.9 dimes in 29.6 minutes per game.

That surge highlights how productive Pepper can be when given the minutes, which numerous teams have reportedly taken note of.

During the latest episode of The Marketplace, presented by Paywise, ESPN’s Olgun Uluc said Pepper loomed as a key target for clubs heading into Free Agency.

“[One] thing with Perth that I'm keeping an eye on is Elijah Pepper because he's another player, who around the league, a lot of teams are interested,” Uluc said.

“Teams are ready to reach out for Elijah Pepper and he's someone who a lot of teams regard as a fringe marquee.

“[They believe] if you can overpay a little bit for that guy, maybe the Wildcats can't.

“Keeping someone like Pepper, who is a starter level guard is really important [for Perth], so what happens when Free Agency opens is going be interesting and it's something we're tracking.”

Fellow panellist and 1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker agrees that Pepper, who also had a really strong stint with the Australian Boomers at the start of the year, can be a real difference-maker next season.

“I thought he was outstanding in the back half of the season,” Rucker said.

“When you're looking at local two guards, this is a guy that probably is number one in terms of self-belief.

“He shoots the ball really well, and I thought he started to show a vigor on the defensive end where he wasn't a liability.

“I think he is a top priority for the Perth Wildcats, [because he’s someone who] knows how to play basketball the right way.”

As it stands, the Wildcats have Kristian Doolittle, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., Dylan Windler, Ben Henshall, Jaron Rillie, Cameron Huefner and Noa Kouakou-Heugue contracted for the NBL27 season.

The NBL27 Free Agency period opens at 9am AEST on Friday, April 17.