Perth Adds Exciting Kiwi Talent

The Perth Wildcats have added emerging New Zealand talent Dontae Russo-Nance to their squad, with the 18-year-old signing a three-year deal with the club. 

Russo-Nance will become a development player for NBL24, before being elevated to the main roster for the following two seasons.

He played in the NZNBL last year for the Auckland Tuatara, winning Youth Player of the Year, after averaging 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.8 steals in 16 games. 

Earlier in the year, he was selected as one of 40 top international prospects from around the world to compete in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp in Salt Lake City, which took place during the famed NBA All-Star 2023 weekend.

The six-foot-three point guard is currently finishing his high school year at the Oak Hill Academy in the United States, a prestigious school that has produced multiple NBA stars including Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Rajon Rondo.

“It feels great to be closer to home and I’m just really excited to get it going,” Russo-Nance told the club’s website.

“Perth is a really professional club who have had a lot of success and have been great for many years and I’m ready to get started and win with them.

“I feel like I’ll bring some youth to the team - there are a few veterans on the roster and I just want to work with the older guys like Corey (Webster), Tai (Webster) and Bryce (Cotton) and just be a sponge and learn from them.”

Wildcats coach John Rillie said Russo-Nance can make an immediate impact, despite his young age.

“Dontae is a young and exciting prospect coming out of New Zealand, and I was familiar with him from my time in the USA and the college system,” Rillie said.

“He’s a strong combo-guard who has already had good success in the NZNBL, and teaming up with Ben Henshall, the Wildcats’ future backcourt will have the opportunity to learn from the likes of Bryce Cotton and the Webster brothers.

“He can score in multiple ways, while also having the ability to play-make for his teammates. He has the physical tools to compete at the NBL level from day one.”

Perth has made a number of changes to its roster from NBL23, with Keanu Pinder, David Okwera, Ben Henshall and Next Star Alexandre Sarr among the new faces. 

Mitch Norton (Brisbane Bullets), Luke Travers (Melbourne United) and Todd Blanchfield have all departed the club.