Rillie urges patience with star import

Perth coach John Rillie believes Mason Jones is close to unlocking the G League Finals MVP form that made him such a prized recruit for the Wildcats.

Jones has taken his time to find his feet in the Hungry Jack’s NBL, despite coming into the campaign in red-hot form off the back of a 22-point, 5-rebound, 7 assist performance in his only pre-season game.

He has averaged just 9.5 points and 2.8 assists a game in the regular season so far, making five of 22 three-point attempts.

“It doesn’t worry me. In my four years here, every year there has been a guy who has gone through that at some level,” Rillie said.

“In my first year it was Brady Manek and TaShawn Thomas. With (Kristian) Doolittle and (Dylan) Windler, it took them a minute. That’s why you do your homework with recruiting these guys. You have that belief. You just don’t lose that after you’ve had a good resume.

“In all of our games, he’s (Jones) had a quarter or a period of play where he’s been a separator. While he’s having those moments, we are continuing to find continuity and consistency for his role within the team.

“He’s going to have moments. We play 33 regular season games. He’s probably going to have five or six games where he goes seven of 10. But show me anyone that’s shot 70 per cent from three in their career. You have to ride those nights when players are like that, but understand that is an above average night for any player.”

The Wildcats have impressed across the early part of the season, winning three of their first four games.

Elijah Pepper has overcome an injury scare to take his place in the lineup this week, while Sunday Dech remains on the sidelines with a calf injury, but is nearing a return.

The Red Army will be out in force for Perth’s Ignite Cup clash against Brisbane on Wednesday night at RAC Arena, live on ESPN from 9.30pm AEDT.