Wildcats sign local talent to multi-year deal

Perth local Tana Kopa returns to his NBL hometown, signing a two-year deal with the Wildcats.

The deal begins at the start of the Hungry Jack's NBL27 Season as a development player, before a mutual option to go on the full team roster next campaign.

This will see the Willetton Tigers junior return to the club he spent time with as a train-on player, before plying his trade in the US college system for four seasons.

Kopa began his collegiate career at Spring Hill College, earning Second Team All-SIAC honours after averaging 19 points per game and shooting 42.4 per cent from three-point range during his sophomore season.

He later progressed to NCAA Division I basketball with Long Island University before finishing his college career at Canisius University, where he started 29 of 31 games and averaged 13.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals while leading the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with 3.1 made three-pointers per game.

Returning to Perth in 2025, Kopa suited up for his junior club Willetton in NBL1 West while continuing to train with the Wildcats, gaining valuable exposure to the standards and daily habits required at NBL level.

He averaged 15 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game for the Tigers, shooting 44.1 per cent from beyond the arc.

Seeking to continue his development against one of Australia's strongest domestic competitions, Kopa joined the Keilor Thunder ahead of the 2026 NBL1 South season.

The move has seen the sharpshooter elevate his game, averaging 17.6 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 48.1 per cent from the field and knocking down 3.3 three-pointers per game.

Wildcats coach John Rillie said Kopa's journey to the Wildcats reflected the persistence and work ethic the club values.

"Tana has been working extremely hard throughout his career for this opportunity," Rillie said.

"He did a great job last year while practising with us, so this is a great natural progression in his professional career."

Kopa said signing with the Wildcats was a special moment after years of working towards an NBL opportunity.

"Signing with Perth is a dream come true," Kopa said.

"Training with the group last year only made me hungrier for this opportunity.

"I'm grateful for the chance and can't wait to get to work."

Wildcats GM of Basketball Operations Danny Mills said Kopa had earned his opportunity through both his performances and the impression he made around the club.

"This is a proud moment for the club to sign a young West Australian like Tana, who has put in so much hard work over the years to reach this point in his career.

"Watching the way he attacked each and every day last season as a training player and now seeing him rewarded with a roster contract, we couldn't be prouder of him.

"This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long and successful professional career.

"His ability to shoot the ball and space the floor is a highly coveted skill, and one that will provide us with real depth in the backcourt."

Kopa joins Kristian Doolittle, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., Dylan Windler, Elijah Pepper, Cameron Huefner, Jaron Rillie, Jesse Wagstaff, Angus Brandt, Anthony Dell'Orso, Alex Higgins-Titsha, Marley Sam and Jimmy Whitt on the Wildcats' NBL27 roster.