Trevor Gleeson named coach of Perth Wildcats’ 40th anniversary team after stellar NBL career

Five-time Perth Wildcats championship coach Trevor Gleeson has had another accolade added to his career after being named as the coach of the club’s 40th anniversary team.

A 10-man panel has been assembled to select the players who will make up the greatest Wildcats team of all time, but winning half of the club’s 10 championships during his stellar career made Gleeson a stand out choice as the greatest Perth coach of all time.

Now an assistant coach at the Toronto Raptors in the NBA, Gleeson told The West Australian his selection was a significant honour.

“It’s huge,” Gleeson said.

“To be involved in the 40th anniversary of the team is amazing. I’m so honoured and appreciate to be selected as the coach.

“I was a fan of the Wildcats when they were winning championships under Adrian Hurley. I used to watch them and the teams they had were unbelievable.

“I can remember Cal Bruton and Ricky Grace coming over. There’s a lot of history and tradition.”

While Gleeson was a stand out selection as coach, narrowing down the players will be a tougher task.

Players must have spent two years at the club and only their performances in a Wildcats uniform will be considered.

Gleeson said separating players who were part of dominant eras from those who led the way in finals over a shorter time and then from the iconic stalwarts would be an almighty challenge.

“Of the guys I coached, it would be a brave man not to have Bryce and Damo in it,” he said.

“Then there’s Jesse Wagstaff who has won six championships and you have to take that into calculations. You look at Casey Prather who won two championships in two years. Terrico White was a grand final MVP.

“But another element is longevity. If you’ve been there for 10 years and the team was in the finals the entire time, that’s impressive. Winning is a skill and that’s the beauty of the Wildcats.

“But then you’ve got others who were here for less time but produced when everything was on the table. There’s a wealth of talent. I’m glad I’m not a selector.”