The Perth Wildcats' bid for a NBL championship hat-trick has received a huge boost after star import Bryce Cotton re-signed for another season.
Cotton was expected to be snapped up by an NBA side after starring for the Wildcats during last season's title-winning campaign.
The 24-year-old scored 45 points in game three of last season's grand final win over the Illawarra Hawks.
He also averaged 22.1 points per game during the regular season, helping drag Perth from last spot into third after joining the Wildcats with just 11 games remaining.
Cotton previously played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns and the Utah Jazz in the NBA and recently turned out for the Atlanta Hawks at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
His retention is a massive boost to Perth's title hopes.
And it comes a day after guard Corey Webster terminated his two-year deal with the Wildcats before even playing a game for the club.
Webster, who won three championships in eight seasons at the NZ Breakers, is expected to pursue an overseas deal.
Although Cotton has re-signed, the Wildcats face a battle to keep their other star import, Casey Prather.
Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson said he was thrilled to retain Cotton.
"He has a special skill set and he has the unique ability to make his teammates better," Gleeson said.
"He's an incredible scorer, has a team-first mentality, is unselfish, but most of all he's a great person and a great fit for our team."
