Former Perth Wildcats champion Ricky Grace has described captain Jesse Wagstaff as the backbone of the club’s culture as the veteran prepares to break his record for games played for the team this weekend.
Wagstaff will equal Grace’s 482 games when the Wildcats host Illawarra Hawks on Friday night and then break the record in Victoria on Sunday when they face South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Grace said it was fitting that a six-time championship winner is the one to overtake his tally.
“Full credit to Jesse for being the backbone of the Wildcats’ culture of winning for as long as he has,” Grace told The West Australian’s The Dribble Podcast.
“He’s always been in the middle of doing the dirty work that someone has to do if you’re going to win. Jesse is a very underrated shooter, and he spaces the court, complementing Bryce to do his thing. The record is a testimony to Jesse’s ability to compete mentally and physically at the highest level.”
A humble Wagstaff is keen for the focus to be on the team this week despite being on the verge of the historic achievement. But he took great pride in knowing he had followed in the footsteps of greats like Grace while enjoying immense success.
“When I got to the club 16 years ago, you’d always hear of those names – Ricky and Vlahov and Crawford,” he said.
“We go to clinics these days and you’ll hear the teacher say ‘I remember when Ricky came out to my school and did a clinic’ or ‘we used to go down to the Entertainment Centre and watch Vlahov.’ From day one you are surrounded by the history of this club.
“Obviously, with Ricky playing so many games and being a legend of not only this club but Australian basketball as well – you are surrounded by that history, and you can’t help but respect it and acknowledge the success that those before us have had.
“That’s what makes this club as successful as it has been. People think of the Wildcats, and they think of those championships. You hear those names and it is synonymous with the Perth culture and the winning culture we have had. It is a privilege to be part of and to carry the torch for the last few years.”
Wagstaff said the key to his success has always been that he’s rarely looked back and always wanted whatever was best for the team. He ignored overtures at different points to play elsewhere and focused on winning championships with the Wildcats.
“This club – me and my wife and the kids have kind of grown up with it. Over 16 years we’ve kind of matured, we’ve made a life for ourselves and that’s what I’m most proud of,” he said.
“It’s a team sport. There’s a lot of individual sports out there.
“We play a team sport. When the team wins, you win. When the team wins championships or wins games, the whole team succeeds.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/dribble-podcast-ricky-grace-honours-perth-wildcats-captain-jesse-wagstaff-before-he-breaks-club-games-record-c-16554124
