Perth Wildcats import Jordan Usher reflects on sliding doors moments with John Rillie

If not for a sliding doors moment when he was still a teenager, Wildcats import Jordan Usher’s arrival in Perth could have marked a reunion, writes ELIZA REILLY.

Eliza Reilly

@ByElizaReilly

3 min read

September 6, 2023 - 8:00AM

Perth Wildcats import Jordan Usher is intent on making a huge impact on the NBL. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

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Life has come full circle for Perth Wildcats import Jordan Usher in more ways than one.

The 25-year-old touched down in Perth less than a month ago, convinced to head west by Wildcats coach John Rillie after spending last year playing in Turkey.

But if not for a sliding doors moment when he was still a teenager, Usher’s arrival in Perth could’ve marked a reunion.

The American forward first brushed paths with the NBL during high school, when Rillie recruited him to play at Boise State University. But there was one big stumbling block.

“To be so real, I didn’t want to live in Boise, Idaho,” said Usher, who instead chose to attend Georgia Tech.

“I’ve known him since high school. We’d talked on the phone a couple of times when he was coaching for Boise State but I’m happy I get to play for him now.”

Jordan Usher dunks for Georgia Tech against Duke last year. Picture: Grant Halverson/Getty Images

More than happy it seems. Usher has only played one pre-season game under the tutelage of Rillie and he’s already singing the praises of the former NBL champion.

“He’s a top-tier guy and a top-tier coach. He is the man. I’ll tell everybody he is the man,” Usher said.

“It’s awesome to play for a coach that was a badass himself at basketball. He can talk the talk because he actually walked the walk.

“A high-level player turned coach is the best sort of guy to play under because they understand everything on and off the court. He gets the tenacity of the game. He’s one of the bright spots for me in Perth.”

Perth Wildcats head coach John Rillie tried to recruit Jordan Usher out of high school. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

The Wildcats’ pre-season has also coincidentally brought Usher back to where it all started. Perth touched down in Las Vegas over the weekend on an invitation to play a pair of games against the G-League Ignite.

It’s Usher’s first time back in the United States since signing with the Wildcats. And it’s also his second time in Las Vegas in the past two months, starring for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Summer League alongside Wildcats recruit Keanu Pinder.

“It’s really just gearing up and getting super close with each other,” Usher said. “That’s our goal. It’s only 24 days or something before our first game so everyone wants to figure out who we are.

“We know who we are but obviously it changes when you play against other teams. We want to send a message to everybody and also a message to ourselves.”

Usher has already made it known that he not only wants to win a championship with the Wildcats but also the NBL’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

“I’m a confident guy,” he said. “Defence is just effort, and I know I’ll be able to bring effort and slide around and have fun.

“Whoever the top scorer is on the other team, I’ll try and drop their percentages. That’s what I do. I’m excited to do that.”

Jordan Usher wants to be a big factor at both ends of the floor. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Usher has already had a taste of what he can expect in Australia, spending time guarding three-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton at training.

“It’s a good marker test for myself whenever I can guard him at practice,” Usher said. “He’s a true professional and he’s a super-skilled offensive player.