Almansa details improvements in debut season at the Wildcats

The Spanish young gun has made the most of the absence of fellow big men Kristian Doolittle (groin) and Keanu Pinder (illness) in recent times.

The 19-year-old NBA draft prospect is averaging 8.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in NBL25.

He's reached double-digit points in four of his last seven games and has shot at 50 per cent or over in each of those, while his rebounding has also been impressive.

Almansa is coming off a strong performance in last Saturday's victory over Adelaide 36ers at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, scoring 11 points to go with seven rebounds.

When asked what his biggest improvement had been since joining the Wildcats, Almansa responded "my shooting".

“I’ve been shooting the ball. I need to improve my shooting but in general I feel like I have taken a step forward in my game in all of the aspects. I’m very happy with my improvement,” he said.

“I have more confidence and I play the way I play every time I step on the court. It’s been good to get more confidence and know more about how to play with my teammates.

“When I started playing more when Keanu was sick and had longer rotations and played with different guys so I got to know everyone.”

Up next for Almansa and the Wildcats is a trip to Auckland to face New Zealand Breakers and their 229cm ex-NBA giant Tacko Fall on Sunday.

“I’m excited. I haven’t played with a player like that so I am excited. It’s going to be a challenge,” he said.

“It’s going to be a big challenge because when he gets in the paint there’s nothing you can do. You have to do all the work before, keep him out of the paint and keep him out of his spots. He’s tall and he’s strong too so he’s going to be tough but I think we’re ready for that.

“I’ll be physical with my teammates (at training) because if you’re not physical with him, he will get in the paint and dunk the ball. He is super tall so you have to be physical, box him out and move on.”