Reaching: Shepparton’s Elijah Pepper (orange uniform) shoots over East's Jamison Battle during the first half of the 2024 NCAA college all-star basketball game at the final four tournament. Photo: AP /David J. Phillip
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AP Photo/David J. Phillip
The Perth Wildcats are set to have some “Pep” in their step next season.
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Shepparton-born Elijah Pepper has become the latest addition to the Perth Wildcats’ roster for the National Basketball League’s 2024-25 season.
Pepper recently finished a five-year college career at American school UC Davis, where he became the university’s all-time leading point-scorer and second-highest in Big West (a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division One conference) history.
The 22-year-old will be welcomed with open arms by the Red Army as he joins the NBL’s most successful franchise (10 championships) after the Wildcats lost to last season’s eventual champion, the Tasmania Jackjumpers, in the semi-finals.
The young gun guard has a family connection with the NBL, given his father Ryan Pepper — who starred for Shepparton Gators from 1999-2002 — was an import for a former NBL side the Hobart Chargers.
Pepper is eager to play in a competition like the NBL, with the league’s quality and international reputation rising in recent years.
“It means a lot, I’m super grateful to be in this position and signing for such a great organisation,” he told Perth Wildcats’ media team.
“I’m excited to get going.
“I pride myself on working as hard as I can and getting into the gym and getting the reps up so that I’m ready to work on the court when it comes to game time.”
Back in the day: Elijah Pepper and brothers Levi and Noah after training with the Shepparton Gators back in 2016.
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Julie Mercer
Standing at 193cm tall, Pepper averaged 20.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists across the 2023-24 season while shooting at 41.5 per cent from the field in his last season at UC Davis.
Pepper was an imposing force for the Aggies — its nickname referring back to when the college was called the College of Agriculture at Davis — winning the Big West Player of the Year and becoming a two-time All-Big West First Team member and dual All-Big West Second Team member.
Wildcats head coach John Rillie is excited to see what Pepper will bring to Perth’s already talent-laden roster.
“Elijah processes a competitive nature and a great work ethic that will allow him to have success early in his professional career as a Wildcat,” Rillie told Perth Wildcats’ media team.
“His strengths as a player are his ability to score and shoot the ball.
“At the defensive end of the floor he has good instincts that allow him to be disruptive at that end of the floor.”
The Wildcats lost last season’s semi-final series to the Jackjumpers 1-2.
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