Perth Wildcats to take on Flames-packed NBL1 West Select Team at Mike Barnett Sports Complex in NBL pre-season

Perth Wildcats will have their first pre-season hit-out in Rockingham at the end of this month in a weekend double-header before jetting off to Las Vegas for another pair of NBA exhibition matches. It will be the first chance for fans to see French import and NBL Next Star recruit Alexandre Sarr in action, alongside Perth-raised signings David Okwera and Ben Henshall. Sarr, who arrived in Perth just more than a fortnight ago from France, is expected to be a top-20 pick in the NBA Draft at just 18 years old. He stands at 216cm tall and is set to strengthen the Wildcats’ presence around the basket. The Wildcats will take on NBL1 West Select — comprising the best of the State league — at Mike Barnett Sports Complex on August 25 for the first match. It’s quickly becoming a must-see event, with more than half of tickets for the Rockingham game already sold. Led by Rockingham Flames coach Ryan Petrik, the NBL1 West Select team has a strong Flames presence on the court as well, with star players Devondrick Walker, Marshall Nelson and Jeremy Combs joining the line-up. The pre-season matches were made possible through the Wildcats’ partnerships with the Rockingham and Warwick basketball associations, with the second game to be held at Warwick Stadium on August 27. Before the main event each night, the Wildcats Academy will also have the chance to put on a show for punters in an intra-club match. The academy was formed in March to help identity basketball prospects across WA, Australia and New Zealand, with particular focus on providing elite pathways for local Indigenous and African junior players. It’s been active since April and the inaugural squad comprises 29 emerging athletes aged 14-19. The local games will be the only two in Perth before the Wildcats head to Las Vegas for two exhibition matches against the NBA G-League Ignite. It will become the first Australian side to take on the NBA G-League Ignite as part of their pre-season camp in Nevada. Like the Wildcats Academy, the G-League Ignite is dedicated to developing young NBA prospects and includes players eligible for the NBA Draft. NBA and NBA G-League veterans mentor the young talent in the team. The matches are scheduled for September 6 and 8 at the Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas. Wildcats v NBL1 West Select: Friday August 25, Mike Barnett Sports Complex For tickets to the Rockingham game, visit www.rockinghamflames.com.au/buytickets?mc_cid=9d5a5cc285&mc_eid=f4987f4fdf. Sunday August 27, Warwick Stadium For tickets to the Warwick game, visit www.intix.com.au/event/perth-wildcats-vs-nbl1-all-stars-at-warwic?mc_cid=9d5a5cc285&mc_eid=f4987f4fdf. NBL1 West Select team: