{"id":909425,"date":"2026-09-29T05:34:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T05:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/909425\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T05:34:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T05:34:13","slug":"special-ansteys-big-call-on-wildcats-rookie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/909425\/","title":{"rendered":"“Special”: Anstey’s big call on Wildcats rookie"},"content":{"rendered":"

Through the opening two rounds of the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season, much has been of the Perth Wildcats not playing with a point guard.<\/p>\n

But the unavailability of Brandon Knight and Jaron Rillie has created an opportunity for Elijah Pepper and Anthony Dell’Orso to start in the backcourt during the Wildcats’ 2-1 start to the season.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The latter, after a tough NBL debut, has really grabbed his chance with both hands across the Wildcats’ two wins.<\/p>\n

Read more >> Team-By-Team: Hooyah & Harden Up<\/a><\/p>\n

The Melbourne talent, who most recently shone for the University of Arizona in the United States, has scored 20 and 15 points respectively in those two matches.<\/p>\n

“The first game for Dell’Orso was a little bit quiet, and that’s absolutely fine,” three-time NBL champion Chris Anstey said. <\/p>\n

“Now we’ve really got a glimpse [of what he’s capable of].<\/p>\n

“He’s an elite scorer; he did it both ways too. He did it from the three-point line, and he found a way to get on the ring.<\/p>\n

“I didn’t see much of his college career like everybody else did, but to be a multi-level scorer and have the ability to do it in a number of ways is really exciting.<\/p>\n

“I’m looking forward to seeing how he looks over the next few weeks and into this season.<\/p>\n

“I really think he might be special.”<\/p>\n

The 2-1 Wildcats next host South East Melbourne on Friday night, tipping off at 9.30pm AEST, live on ESPN.<\/p>\n

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