Monday 6 February is the 30th anniversary of the first game ever played by the Perth Wildcats in the National Basketball League.
On 6 February 1982, the Wildcats took the floor for the first time ever in the national competition, facing off against the Geelong Supercats at the old Perry Lakes Stadium.
Unfortunately for Perth their introduction to the competition was one to forget, as the Wildcats suffered a 105-74 loss to Geelong.
Billy Keys led the ‘Cats in their inaugural game with 16 points, while Dan Hickert and Tim Evans each added 14 points apiece.
James Crawford and Cal Bruton, players that would ultimately become legends for the Wildcats, led Geelong in the role of spoilers, scoring 27 and 24 points respectively, with Crawford also adding 17 rebounds.
Including that match, the Wildcats have played 949 NBL games, with a record of 548 wins and 401 losses. That win total is the highest of any team in National Basketball League history, and has included an NBL record five championships.
Click here to see the boxscore from the Wildcats’ inaugural game against Geelong.
