New Wildcat Usher wants to take on the best

Jordan Usher has arrived in Australia with a goal of winning the NBL Defensive Player of the Year award. He’s certainly talking the talk, and he says he’s more than prepared to walk the walk.

He was announced as the Wildcats’ newest signing on Wednesday morning, and has already since touched down in Perth ahead of the side’s commencement of pre-season training.

“I told coach Rillie I want to guard the highest volume shooter in the other team. I want the best offensive output guy,” Usher told The West Australian.

“The fans can get mad at me after the game if he has his 20. I make people drop their averages. If you come here shooting 20, you’re going to score 10. I have no fear in saying that, this is what I do.

“If there’s one thing I do it’s defend.”

Usher has arrived in the NBL, following a successful rookie campaign for Turkish side Besiktas. Prior to that, he played collegiately for Georgia Tech.

He averaged 14.4 points per game across 29 appearances in the Turkish Basketball Super League, along with 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals.

Usher believes the “super rowdy” environment of playing European basketball will hold him in good stead, ahead of playing in front of the Red Army.

“Games in Turkey weren’t in front of the biggest numbers, but they were super rowdy. They had flares being set off in the gym, it was fun,” he said.

“To play in front of 13,000 fans will be awesome. I’m definitely excited to be playing at RAC Arena.

“When the fans are loud, I’m even more energetic and emotionally in the game.”

Usher is in the mix to feature in the Wildcats' pair of pre-season games against the NBL1 All Stars on August 25 and 27 at Rockingham and Warwick respectively.

For the full story head to >> Perth Wildcats import Jordan Usher arrives in WA and promises to make life hell for NBL’s biggest names.