Behind the scenes with the Perth Wildcats in their quest to win the NBL championship

Arrive prepared to work. That is the message every day at the Perth Wildcats. The West Australian was granted behind the scenes access to the Wildcats, with photographer Ian Munro following the players everywhere they went. And every minute was focused on doing whatever was required to get better. From the gym, to the basketball court, to the film room and everywhere in between, the expectations and standards were elite. “We get after it,” star centre Angus Brandt said. “In the weight room, Josh, our strength coach, doesn’t mess around. He makes sure that we’re strong and robust athletes. “We were at the gym by 7 am and lifting weights for about an hour-and-a-half over pre-training. “Then you have a snack and get yourself ready for training. Usually there’s a bit of film to watch too. And if you need to check in with a physio to do a little bit of preparation work, you will do that. It might be an ankle balance thing or a shoulder mobility thing. Those little exercises every day prevent injury. “Then we have team training and when we get out on the floor, it is full contact. We’re always going at each other, trying to make each other better with the ultimate goal of winning games and winning a championship. “Once team training ends, you do your own individual shots. A lot of teams call them your daily vitamins because you do them every day to keep sharp. “It’s all of the little five-foot floaters that look easy because you shoot them 10,000 times. Then we get lunch and a massage. That’s the routine.” The Wildcats regularly have coaches from other sports or officials from NBA clubs watching training, and West Coast Eagles coach Andrew McQualter was an interested onlooker. Perth have begun the season strongly with four wins from five games despite injuries and the late recruitment of import Brandon Knight. Import Dylan Windler was brilliant last weekend with 32 points in the win over New Zealand Breakers. The club will play its first away game on Saturday with a highly anticipated showdown with reigning champions Sydney Kings.

Behind the scenes with the Perth Wildcats in their quest to win the NBL championship

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