Perth's Wagner proving his point

Perth Redbacks guard Joel Wagner has used his ‘learning experience’ at the Sydney Kings to take his game to the next level in the State Basketball League this season.

Wagner got his big break with the Kings last season when he was signed on a game-by-game contract as cover for point guard Luke Cooper, who was ruled out for three months with a broken foot.

“I took my chances early on in the piece, but the Sydney Kings is a high-pressure environment and they thought it was best to go get another point-guard so I took a back seat for the rest of the season,” he said.

“I learnt a lot (at the Kings) and hopefully if I was given another chance I can do better things next time around.”

The 23-year-old has been a vital component of the Redbacks success so far in 2011 – averaging 16.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and leading the SBL in assists for the fifth consecutive year with 10.2 per game.

The Esperance product has come a long way since making his SBL debut at just 15, and coach David Harris has seen him develop into an all-round player.

“He is averaging around 16 PPG this season which is up from previous years and his shooting percentages are all up,” Harris said.

“He is shooting around 55 per cent from the field (this season) and over 40 per cent from the three-point line.

“And the other thing we have noticed this year is his defence has picked up, he has probably been our premier defender this year.

“His time at the Kings has helped him defensively as he was up against bigger bodied players at the next level.”

The Redbacks' coach praised Wagner’s attitude on and off the court.

“He is just a fantastic club guy,” Harris said.

“He helps us run out elite level development and is happy to pass on the knowledge that he has gained over the past couple of years to a lot of the younger guys.

“He has a very professional attitude in everything he does and that definitely carries through to the rest of the group and he is someone that his younger teammates look up to.

Wagner established himself as a household name in SBL circles over the past few seasons, and it didn’t go unnoticed with the Perth Wildcats signing him up as a development player in 2009 and 2010.

The 182cm point-guard is confident his recent SBL form will be rewarded with another NBL contract, but until then his main focus is helping the Redbacks play finals basketball once again this season.

“I’m definitely hopeful of trying to pick up another (NBL) gig but I understand if it doesn’t happen that I’ll be a real person in the real world and I’ve got other things to fall back on,” he said.

“At the moment I just want get the Redbacks winning games more than anything, it’s not so much about myself.”

Article by Jordan McArdle
Photo by Marg Prior

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