Dontae Russo-Nance

Is fresh off the best NZ NBL season of his career as he now takes the leap to a full roster spot at the Perth Wildcats in NBL26.

Having grown up in Auckland, the guard was an exciting prospect coming through the New Zealand basketball ranks and went on to impress in 2019 as a 14-year-old at the Junior NBA Global Championships in Orlando.

From there, he first played in the NZ NBL at the Auckland Huskies in 2021 just aged 16 and was the league's Youth Player of the Year in 2022.

Joined the Wildcats as a development player for a first season in NBL24 before making seven appearances in the NZ NBL at the Otago Nuggets for 11.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

Remained at Perth as a development player in NBL25, then produced 18.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.5 steals with the Manawatu Jets of NZ NBL before now being elevated to a full roster spot at the 'Cats.