Kristian Doolittle has become one of the NBL’s most established imports, recently reaching the 100-game milestone in his fourth season with the Perth Wildcats. But for the 29-year-old forward, his first taste of basketball in Australia came years before he eventually landed in the league.

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Speaking exclusively to Fox Sports Australia, Doolittle reflected on his basketball journey before becoming one of the NBL’s most recognisable names, from his college days alongside NBA stars Trae Young and Austin Reaves, as well as former Wildcats import Brady Manek, to his experiences playing professionally around the world.

It was a journey that took him through Puerto Rico, Israel and Japan before eventually finding a home in Perth, where he has since established himself as one of the league’s premier forwards.

Kristian Doolittle of the Wildcats poses during a Perth Wildcats 2026/27 NBL Headshots Session at NEP Studios on September 05, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images for NBL)Kristian Doolittle of the Wildcats poses during a Perth Wildcats 2026/27 NBL Headshots Session at NEP Studios on September 05, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images for NBL)Source: Getty Images

Doolittle committed to the Oklahoma Sooners in 2016, spending four years with the college between 2016 and 2020. Across 84 appearances, he developed into one of the program’s standout players, averaging 15.8 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 44.1% from the field in his final season.

He was also named the Big 12 Most Improved Player in 2019.

However, it was during his college career that Doolittle first experienced basketball in Australia.

Kristian Doolittle #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners moves with the ball against the Texas Longhorns at the Frank Erwin Center on January 23, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)Source: getty

In August 2017, Oklahoma travelled to Australia and New Zealand for a 12-day tour, playing four games against opposition representing the New Zealand Breakers, Sydney Kings, Cairns Taipans and Sutherland Sharks.

Doolittle admitted he initially believed the Sooners would be facing the NBL clubs’ main rosters, only to discover they would be competing against players closer to their own age.

“It wasn’t like their main team. And so I was confused when we got over here because we were playing like people our age,” he said

“So we beat them pretty badly.”

Kristian Doolittle in 2017 with the New Zealand BreakersSource: getty

Doolittle wasn’t wrong, with Oklahoma recording a convincing 133-91 victory over the Breakers, whose side featured former New Zealand guard Taylor Britt.

Despite that early introduction to Australian basketball, Doolittle admitted the experience played little part in his eventual decision to join the NBL.

“To be honest, no. Just because I ended up going other places first,” he said

“And so then when I was introduced to the NBL and then hearing from Brady’s [Manek] family about Perth and stuff like that and hearing nothing positive things.

Kristian Doolittle of the Wildcats drives at the basket during the 2026 NBL Blitz match between the Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats at Red Energy Arena on September 02, 2026 in Bendigo, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images for NBL)Source: Getty Images

“Then being given a contract opportunity just took advantage of it and, you know, turned it into this.”

Before arriving in Perth, Doolittle spent several years playing overseas, including stints in Puerto Rico, Japan and Israel.

During his time with Israeli club Hapoel Eilat, he briefly crossed paths with another familiar Wildcats name in three-time NBL champion Casey Prather, who was recovering from surgery at the time.

“He [Casey Prather] had just got done with his surgery, I believe,” Doolittle said

Kristian Doolittle of the Wildcats controls the ball against Casey Prather of the Bullets during the round 10 NBL match between Perth Wildcats and Brisbane Bullets at RAC Arena, on November 29, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: getty

“And so he was around a little bit after his surgery.”

For Doolittle, his time in Israel was about much more than basketball. At just 22 years old, he was still adjusting to life as a professional athlete, and the experience quickly opened his eyes to the realities of playing for a living.

“It was all right. I got there on the tail end of their Euro cup tournament,” he said

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“And so my first game was a Eurocup game. So I didn’t, you know, as a rookie, I didn’t know what was going on and so I was just trying to figure it out.

“I feel like it was my first experience of being a professional, but then seeing how the professional world works in terms of basketball and understanding that this is no longer being played for fun. It’s being played to put food on the table.

Kristian Doolittle of the Wildcats poses during a Perth Wildcats 2026/27 NBL Headshots Session at NEP Studios on September 05, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images for NBL)Source: Getty Images

“So dealing with a lot of veterans on the team, especially when I was 22, playing with people late 20s, early 30s, It was a wake up call for me, but it was a good thing.

“I had a great time out there and I feel like I was able to build on that as well.”

Doolittle went on to play 19 regular-season games for Hapoel Eilat, averaging 8.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 31.6 minutes per game.

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But while his basketball career has taken him across several countries, one destination continues to hold a special place in his heart.

Puerto Rico.

The Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) was where Doolittle’s professional career began after leaving college in 2020, initially joining Vaqueros de Bayamón, where he won two championships (2020, 2022).

Kristian Doolittle winning the BSN Championship.Source: getty

Since then, he has continued returning to the league during the NBL off-season, playing nearly 200 games across multiple stints, most recently representing Gigantes de Carolina and Osos de Manatí.

However, his introduction to professional basketball was anything but conventional, with the COVID-19 pandemic bringing much of the sporting world to a standstill just as he was preparing to begin his career.

“Yeah. It was Covid, and so I worked out in Las Vegas for like six or seven months straight just because nothing was open yet,” he said

“It was like our pre-draft, but normally the pre-draft was like two months maybe. But because of the elongate process, I was just there for long time. And so Puerto Rico was the first league that opened back up.

Kristian Doolittle playing for Vaqueros de Bayamon in Puerto Rico.Source: getty

“And so I was able to get a contract there. And so we essentially had a bubble, played there for two months. And then I went to the NBA G-League bubble, picked up by Cleveland, did their bubble for two months. And then that’s when I went to Israel right after that.”

What began as an opportunity to launch his professional career has since developed into a lasting connection with Puerto Rico, with Doolittle explaining why he continues to return to the island whenever the opportunity presents itself.

“It’s where I started in my career,” he said

Kristian Doolittle playing for Vaqueros de Bayamon in Puerto Rico #2Source: getty

“And so I take it as a paying homage to them by giving me the opportunity as my first professional contract to where I don’t necessarily feel obligated to go back because I consider Puerto Rico like one of my second homes just because I’ve been there longer than anywhere else.

“And so, you know, I love the island, I give respect and so I receive respect when I’m there. And you know, I enjoy being able to just play basketball and it gives me an opportunity to stay in shape year round.”

Now entering his fourth season with the Wildcats, Doolittle has developed into one of Perth’s most important players, with his versatility and all-round game placing him among the names mentioned in pre-season MVP discussions.

Kristian Doolittle of the Wildcats and Kouat Noi of the Breakers contest for position during the round four NBL match between Perth Wildcats and New Zealand Breakers at RAC Arena, on October 10, 2026, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

But despite the individual recognition, the 29-year-old has his sights firmly set on something that has continued to elude him throughout his NBL career.

An NBL championship.

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Having fallen short in the semi-finals in each of his previous three seasons, Doolittle admitted the frustration of those exits continues to drive him, with individual awards taking a back seat to the ultimate goal.

“You know, I never won most improved. I guess I just have to keep getting better,” he said

Kristian Doolittle of the Wildcats warms up during the round three NBL match between Perth Wildcats and South East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena, on October 02, 2026, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“But, you know, if I win the MVP award, I would be more than happy to win it. But at the same time, it’s not my driving force. Like I want to be able to win a championship. And I feel like that’s the ultimate prize. Like any award that comes with success, I’ll humbly accept it.

“But If I’m playing well enough to be able to get my team to a championship, that really doesn’t matter. If one of my teammates were to win MVP, I would probably be more happy for them than I would be for myself, just because I don’t necessarily like being in the spotlight.

Kristian Doolittle of the Wildcats puts a shot up during the round four NBL match between Perth Wildcats and New Zealand Breakers at RAC Arena, on October 10, 2026, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“I feel like, just because I’m in the role that I’m in now, I feel like I’m taking that next step just because I’m more determined than ever. I feel like I say that every year, but it’s true. I’m more determined than ever to be successful in winning the championship, especially when I’ve lost in the semis every single year.

“It keeps me up at night.”

Kristian Doolittle of the Wildcats poses during the NBL Finals Series launch at NEP Studios on February 24, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Through his first six games of NBL27, Doolittle has averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and a career-high 6.8 assists, continuing his strong start to the season while helping guide the Wildcats to the second-best record in the league.

And while another impressive individual campaign could put him firmly in the MVP conversation, Doolittle has made it clear that his fourth season in Perth will only be truly satisfying if it ends with the championship trophy.