550 and counting: The numbers behind Wagstaff’s legacy

When Perth Wildcats legend Jesse Wagstaff steps onto the court on Wednesday night in Brisbane, it’ll be the 550th time he has done so in an NBL arena.

In doing so, the Wildcats captain will become just the sixth player in League history to chalk up that many games, joining Tony Ronaldson (665), Andrew Gaze (612), Leroy Loggins (568), Glen Saville (563) and Mark Bradtke (554).

This accomplishment just adds to the incredible legacy the Canberra talent has created across his 18 seasons in the League.

Those 18 campaigns are the most ever by a Wildcats player, while the 549 games is the second-most by an individual at a single club.

Of those fixtures, the 40-year-old has been victorious on 343 occasions, the most all-time by a player at that same franchise.

“It is pretty crazy [to be playing game 550] and again it’s something that you’ll probably look back on when I’m done,” Wagstaff said.

“I think the last five, six seasons, to be honest, I’ve taken it a season at a time and this season is no different.

“There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge this season.”

Since Wagstaff debuted in the 2009-10 season (a campaign in which he won Rookie of the Year), the Wildcats have enjoyed arguably their most successful era, highlighted by Wagstaff’s incredible nine Championship Series appearances (most ever in the League) and 69 Finals fixtures (the equal fifth-most all-time).

Those have led to the 2012 Sixth Man of the Year and All-NBL Third Team member winning six championships, which is the equal-most of any player in the League’s 48-year history.

As successful as he’s been, Wagstaff has also put up big numbers, currently sitting inside the top 10 in six major categories: third in three-pointers made (536), fourth in total plus-minus (788), seventh in points (4,142), eighth in rebounds (1,716), ninth in steals (216) and 10th in assists (613).

During Wednesday's fixture in Brisbane, Wagstaff's Wildcats will be out to end a two-game skid.

“To us, it’s a really important game against Brisbane,” Wagstaff added.

“In the context of the season, where we’re at as a group, I think it’s a really important game.

“The season is so close and we talk about it every year with the NBL, it’s so hard to win and the gap from top to bottom is so tight, particularly this year.

“One game can be a significant difference-maker or separator and this game is no different.”

Wednesday night’s Ignite Cup fixture at the Nissan Arena tips off at 8pm AEDT, live on ESPN.

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