Rillie Pushing Cotton for MVP

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie is pushing for ‘Cats star guard Bryce Cotton to be in the MVP mix this season.

Cotton is a three-time MVP and is always highly acknowledged in the league, not only from his team, but also from rival coaches and players.

However, this season’s MVP race promises to be tight with Xavier Cooks (Kings), Keanu Pinder (Taipans) and Mitch Creek (Phoenix) all in the conversation.

Cotton is averaging a league high 23.5 points, 4.9 assists and 4.1 rebounds, and he is ranked number one in the NBL for minutes played.

Rillie is backing the American guard and believes Cotton’s value to the sixth placed Wildcats should be considered for his MVP case.

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“What really is the criteria and if it is who is the most valuable player to a team, then Bryce certainly has to be in the conversation,” Rillie said on this week’s episode of The Basketball Show.

“He has shown this year how he can carry a team in different ways.

“If you’re purely just wanting to reward someone who is on the best team on the ladder, that’s fine.

“It is a great debate because if you truly believe who is the most valuable player to a team, I think it goes a long way where Bryce cannot be in the conversation at the pointy end of the season.”

The Wildcats play the Illawarra Hawks on Friday at 9:30pm AEDT at RAC Arena.