Point guard by committee: Perth's Round 1 plan

The Perth Wildcats head into their Hungry Jack's NBL27 season-opener against South East Melbourne understrength, with both of their point guards, Brandon Knight and Jaron Rillie, unavailable.

NBA talent Knight, who signed with the Wildcats this week, is yet to arrive in Australia, while young gun Rillie is still recovering from hamstring surgery.

But Head Coach John Rillie isn't fazed by facing the Phoenix's intense defensive pressure with neither of their floor generals.

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Rather coach Rillie says his side will be counting on a 'committee' approach, with the likes of Elijah Pepper, Anthony Dell'Orso, Kristian Doolittle and Jimmy Whitt slated to do most of the ballhandling.

"We'll just lean into players' strengths. Everyone is going to have that responsibility, it won't just be one or two guys," Rillie said to the West Australian.

"We're not having a point guard, we're going to have to move on from that fact. It's the players' responsibility to make the right decisions, play with poise, not get caught up in their frenetic pace. That's on every individual.

"Just with where our roster is, everyone has had good opportunity in the pre-season, and then without Brandon and Jaron, there's going to be opportunity all over the floor.

"We'll be able to change up the style, the momentum, with some of the additions we've made in the off-season."

Saturday's blockbuster at RAC Arena tips off at 9.30pm AEST, live on ESPN, 9Go! and 9Now. The game will be shown live in Perth on 9.

Read the full story here >> Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie says point guard position will be played ‘by committee’ in season opener