Hoops

Wildcats to sign import Casey Prather?

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/basketball/perth-wildcats-close-to-snaring-import-casey-prather-for-2014-15-nbl-season/story-fnhq5y0s-1227452471830

My bad.

After sleeping on this signing, I've awoken with new optimism.

I think this could be a great signing for the Wildcats.

Prather is an athletic scorer - who's strength (penetration and on-ball creation) was the Cats weakness last season.

He's billed as a solid defender and compared to Tony Allen. With Prather and Martin locking down the D the wildcats could see the return of their missing transition game.

Look for the wildcats to make similar statements if this signing is true.

"NBA scouts want him to work on his (long range) shooting, so we'll help him with that."

"Prather as a person is a great fit for the team. He still aspires to make the NBA and we can help him achieve that."

"Prather will bring to our team what was lacking last year, that is someone who can take the ball into the lane and finish."

"He is a tenacious defender and together with Damian Martin will reek havoc on opposition backcourts."

"We have a track record of developing NBA ready talent - this is an opportunity for Prather as well as the club to show the type of talent we can produce."

I think If the Wildcats can get a James Harvey type or even the man himself then that will help the outside shooting.

Hugh Greenwood is an unknown this upcoming season, he could be rookie of the year or could struggle to even get on court

Greg Hire was injured for most of the year so hopefully he has healed up or whomever our import small forward is will get extended court time and he may not be able to handle that.

Beal struggled at times last year to get to the hole and the foul line so if he has anything less than an aggressive mindset then I'm positive that Lisch will prove that he should have always been our import!

Interesting season ahead but every chance that this wildcats outfit will be remembered for all the wrong reasons and I wouldn't be surprised if Trevor or an import leaves before 2016

They did it with Ennis and he wasn't the greatest 3 point threat which is my point. Cats hurt last year because Daniels couldn't penetrate or finish inside. He would just run around the perimeter. If Prather can get inside and draw attention it may go along way to fixing their offence.

Train. They might have plenty of guys who can shoot the 3 but when 2 out of your starting perimeter players can't then that might go a long way to explaining why "their main problem is getting the ball inside"

*35% from 3pt I meant

Perth have plenty of guys that can shoot the 3. The main problem last year was getting the ball inside. This guy looks like he can attack and finish above the rim. Remember that Ennis only shot 35%.

Have to agree,

Combine the above concerns with the durability of Matt Knight and the age of Redhage I think there is definitely a few red flag for the Cats.

Jermaine Beal is a better Robin than Batman but it seems he will be cast in the lead role once more this season

Knight/Jervis
Wagstaff/Redhage
Prather/Hire
Beal/???
Martin/Greenwood

Deep and solid defensively but unless Redhage can roll the clock back a few years or Wagstaff shows that he hasn't plateaued the Cats scoring struggles will continue.

Prather's stats show a distinct dislike for shots from beyond the arc and from that one would assume that his scouting report would see him left open a lot on the perimeter. Despite this he still shoots a very low percentage. Looks similar to last year for the Cats when 2 of the 3 outside guys were backed away from.

Their run of finals appearances may be in jeopardy if the a few out of the Kings, 6ers, United, Hawks and Taipans add half decent imports.

Ch10 Perth have confirmed/reported that Casey Prather is the man.

For what it's worth Wildcats' "Scouts" are still in the US - last game they attended was this morning.

So I doubt it will be this guy "Casey Prather"

Half the 2nd Round picks you listed are signed or internationals if that helps to narrow it down for you

Signed #38 - Darrun Hilliard (6'6) DET
#40 - Josh Richardson (6'6) MIA ^*
Signed #41 - Pat Connaughton (6'5) POR #^
#42 - Olivier Hanlan (6'4) UTA #^*
Signed #43 - Joseph Young (6'2) IND #^
#45 - Marcus Thornton (6'3) BOS #^*
Signed #46 - Norman Powell (6'4) TOR ^
International #50 - Marcus Eriksson (6'7) ATL
#51 - Tyler Harvey (6'4) WAS ^#
#53 - Sir'Dominic Pointer (6'4) CLE
International #54 - Daniel Diez (6'2) POR #^

I think he could be headed to Cairns.

He played with Wilbiken at Florida. Maybe there is a connection there - as Scottie signs NBA contract offers a replacement that he can vouch for?

I agree with Roger that he doesn't fit the mold for the the cats import - unless he's from Guam and is another Earnest Ross type guy.

Very interested in the Anon's Kings post... any clarification on who it could be?

Looking at the draftboard and thinking that they really need a good 3pt shooter so the SGs are...

#38 - Darrun Hilliard (6'6) DET
#40 - Josh Richardson (6'6) MIA ^*
#41 - Pat Connaughton (6'5) POR #^
#42 - Olivier Hanlan (6'4) UTA #^*
#43 - Joseph Young (6'2) IND #^
#45 - Marcus Thornton (6'3) BOS #^*
#46 - Norman Powell (6'4) TOR ^
#50 - Marcus Eriksson (6'7) ATL
#51 - Tyler Harvey (6'4) WAS ^#
#53 - Sir'Dominic Pointer (6'4) CLE
#54 - Daniel Diez (6'2) POR #^

^ - Needs to build on size/strength and/or slow for position
# - Notably good 3pt shooter/scorer
* - Noted as being able to play both guard positions


No idea who played Summer League for whichever team, but some nice options there...

Agree that he does not look like a fit for the Cats. their biggest weakness last year was outside shooting from the wings.

This guy only puts up 1 or 2 a game and shoots them at a very low percentage.

More know as a quality defender, good offensive rebounder and team man.

If he has signed he would be a better fit in a team that has plenty of scoring punch.

Hawks and Taipans look to me like they could use his skill set.

I would be incredibly surprised to see the Wildcats sign this guy as an import.

It would go against the grain of what they have done in the last 2 years with this import spot.

I think that Aaron White drafted by Washington out of Iowa is a much better guess as to who the Wildcats would be chasing.

He fits the profile of their recruits from years gone by, 6'8 - 6'9 sf/pf who needs were stated as primarily to put on weight and work on his shot.

There is further connections that can be found on twitter between the wildcats admin and coaching staff to Aaron White, Washington Wizards and his Management agency 'Octagon Basketball' if anyone wants to dig.

Im prepared to get shot down but my guess Casey has signed elsewhere