Perth Wildcats re-sign Drake U'u for three seasons
The player remains with the Australian team
The Perth Wildcats have completed their 2014/15 playing roster by re-signing guard Drake U’u for three seasons.
U’u is currently en route to Brisbane where he will join his teammates ahead of a pre-season game tomorrow night.
He will also play at the NBL Blitz this weekend.
The popular Wildcat is excited to be coming back to Perth.
“I had a great year in Perth with the Wildcats, obviously winning the Championship was something I’ll never forget, and I’m very happy to be coming back,” said U’u.
“My focus now will be doing everything I can to help the team. A lot of clubs have gotten stronger over the off-season and we need to be ready for that if we are to be a contender again this season.”
Drake U’u averaged 2.3 points per game at just under 40 per cent from the field in his rookie season on the way to becoming a Championship player.
He scored a season high 13 points against the Townsville Crocodiles in January, with a four from four three-point performance. He also came off the bench to score eight points in the deciding game of the Grand Final series against Adelaide.
Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson is very pleased to have U’u re-joining his team.
“He was a big part of our team last year, a hard worker and a great teammate. That’s one thing we look for in our role-players, to be a good teammate, and to take the opportunity when it comes,” said Gleeson.
“There’s a lot of change happening with teams trying to get better, and while we’re getting better too, we are happy to have eight guys from last season back, and a guy like Drake who knows our systems and knows what it takes to win a Championship.”
Drake U’u was originally rated at four points under the NBL’s player points cap system, but upon appealing his rating, had it reduced to two.
Both U’u and the Perth Wildcats have options at the conclusion of each season as part of the three-year contract.
The Perth Wildcats take on the Sydney Kings tomorrow night in Ipswich ahead of the NBL Blitz, which tips off in Brisbane this weekend.
U’u is currently en route to Brisbane where he will join his teammates ahead of a pre-season game tomorrow night.
He will also play at the NBL Blitz this weekend.
The popular Wildcat is excited to be coming back to Perth.
“I had a great year in Perth with the Wildcats, obviously winning the Championship was something I’ll never forget, and I’m very happy to be coming back,” said U’u.
“My focus now will be doing everything I can to help the team. A lot of clubs have gotten stronger over the off-season and we need to be ready for that if we are to be a contender again this season.”
Drake U’u averaged 2.3 points per game at just under 40 per cent from the field in his rookie season on the way to becoming a Championship player.
He scored a season high 13 points against the Townsville Crocodiles in January, with a four from four three-point performance. He also came off the bench to score eight points in the deciding game of the Grand Final series against Adelaide.
Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson is very pleased to have U’u re-joining his team.
“He was a big part of our team last year, a hard worker and a great teammate. That’s one thing we look for in our role-players, to be a good teammate, and to take the opportunity when it comes,” said Gleeson.
“There’s a lot of change happening with teams trying to get better, and while we’re getting better too, we are happy to have eight guys from last season back, and a guy like Drake who knows our systems and knows what it takes to win a Championship.”
Drake U’u was originally rated at four points under the NBL’s player points cap system, but upon appealing his rating, had it reduced to two.
Both U’u and the Perth Wildcats have options at the conclusion of each season as part of the three-year contract.
The Perth Wildcats take on the Sydney Kings tomorrow night in Ipswich ahead of the NBL Blitz, which tips off in Brisbane this weekend.
E. Carchia
@Sportando
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