NBA Veteran Brandon Knight on Joining the Wildcats

The Perth Wildcats have signed 10-year NBA veteran point guard Brandon Knight on a one-year deal, completing the roster ahead of the Hungry Jack's NBL27 season.

Brandon Knight has spoken for the first time about joining the Perth Wildcats, declaring his intention to embrace a new challenge and help the club compete for the NBL27 championship.

Knight is already familiar with Perth after previously visiting the city through the Basketball Without Borders program and attending NBL games during his stay.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things. I’ve heard they have some of the best fans in the world, so I’m excited about it,” Knight said.

“I had an amazing time when I visited Perth. It was a spectacular city with spectacular people, and the atmosphere at the games was amazing.

“I’m looking forward to getting there, connecting with the fans and the city, and making the most of it.”

Selected by the Detroit Pistons with the eighth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Knight brings 451 games of NBA experience and proven scoring and playmaking ability to the Wildcats’ backcourt.

The 188cm point guard averaged 14.0 points, 3.9 assists and 3.1 rebounds across an NBA career that also included time with the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks.

Rather than relying on his NBA résumé, Knight said he would arrive in Perth ready to earn his place in a new competition.

“I’m not resting on what I’ve done before. This is a new league with new players and different experiences,” Knight said.

“I’m thankful for my 10 years in the NBA, but this is a completely different league. There are a lot of great players in the NBL, the level of basketball is really high and the players compete hard.

“I have to come in with the mentality that nobody cares about what I’ve done before. It’s a new season and it’s time to build something new here in Australia.”

After finishing his NBA career with Dallas in 2022, Knight continued playing overseas with stints in Puerto Rico and Greece.

He was named the Puerto Rican BSN Most Valuable Player and claimed the league’s scoring title in 2023 after averaging 24.4 points and 5.2 assists per game for Piratas de Quebradillas.

Knight most recently suited up for Mets de Guaynabo, averaging 18.0 points, 6.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 47.0% from the field across 20 appearances.

Perth Wildcats head coach John Rillie said Knight’s experience would complement the club’s backcourt.

“It is great to have Brandon on board for NBL27. His experience in the backcourt will complement this group very well,” Rillie said.

He has also featured prominently for USA Basketball during the current FIBA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Knight led the United States in scoring during the February 2026 window, averaging 19.0 points on 59.1% shooting from the field and 50.0% from three, along with 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals across two games.

His playmaking was also on display in November 2025, when he averaged a team-high 8.5 assists across two wins over Nicaragua, including a USA World Cup qualifying record 12 assists in the second game.

Perth Wildcats General Manager of Basketball Operations Danny Mills said Knight was the right addition to complete the club’s NBL27 roster.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Brandon and his family to Perth and into the Wildcats organisation.

His professional experience and talent speak for themselves, and we believe his strengths on and off the court fit exactly what we’ve been looking for to complement the rest of our roster.”

Knight said his focus would be on elevating the players around him and fitting into the culture already established in Perth.

“The goal is to win a championship. Danny and Rillie have made it clear to me that they believe this is a championship-level team,” Knight said.

“My goal is to come in and elevate those around me, help the guys who are already there and get the most out of our group.

“It’s not about me. It takes an entire team and an entire city. How can I fit into Perth, the culture, the coaching staff and the strategies? I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”

Further details regarding Knight’s arrival in Perth will be provided once confirmed.

*Contract pending NBL approval