Perth Wildcats recruit Dylan Windler to push for starting spot after strong showing against Sydney

New recruit Dylan Windler opens the door for Perth Wildcats to play a smaller lineup, according to coach John Rillie, as he weighs up handing the rebound machine a starting spot.

Windler continued his facelift of the Wildcats’ rebounding game in Friday night’s defeat to Sydney Kings, collecting 16 boards in the one-point loss.

The former NBA journeyman has come off the bench in both of his first two matches in red as he works through an ankle issue.

But he and fellow signing Elijah Pepper were the shining lights in a heavyweight battle on Friday that ended with an off-the-mark buzzer-beater.

Rillie said Windler is more than just his rebounding ability. He finished with 12 points and was one of their best on the defensive end.

“The rebounding speaks for itself, but then his defence, his ability to be disruptive and then offensively, if he doesn’t have something that suits him in an action he’ll move the ball on so the next guy can get himself involved,” Rillie said.

“I think he will only get better as he gets more adaptable to the NBL and the Perth Wildcats and I’m excited for where he can get to and where our team can get to when we get everyone clicking together.”

The Perth coach said Windler would “of course” be pushing for a spot in his first five for Friday night’s clash with South East Melbourne. It’s the role currently played by Hyrum Harris.

“You saw a glimpse of it last week, I would say his effort tonight was another level, so it’s something I’m sure at some stage he will put the heat on,” Rillie said.

Rillie gave Keanu Pinder a chance to work through a sluggish start, where he tossed away three turnovers, but the star big played just over 10 minutes.

A combination of Windler and Pepper with Kristian Doolittle, Tai Webster and Bryce Cotton was the preferred combination.

“It’s a nice comfort. With this roster you can see we can have some different looks out on the floor depending on who is playing at a high level on the night,” Rillie said.

“Last week Almansa and Pinder were very good for us, but tonight it was more like small ball, being able to keep their main guys offensively in front of us and Kristian and Windler did a great job of that tonight.”

Windler said the endurance to get to the rim time after time was what made him a freakish rebounder. He racked up 33 boards in one G-League game earlier this year.

“At the end of the day it’s just the motor, you’ve got to have the motor to crash every time. If you’re crashing every time, eventually you’re going to get one here and there,” he said.

“Having a knack of feeling where the ball is going to come off, that’s part of it, kind of instincts, but just trying to beat your man to the spot, that’s half the battle.”

Pepper hit two late three-balls as part of a hot streak. The ex-college star had the 11,800-strong crowd eating out the palm of his hand as he tied the game and then snatched the lead in the final minutes.

His new boss has high expectations for his ability to shoot the ball.

“He’s been making those type of plays his whole college career, his whole high school career, so it was great for the fans to see that, but I had some level of expectations for him to do that at some stage in the season,” Rillie said.

Young gun Ben Henshall did not suit up on Friday as he battled illness, but Rillie flagged his side would have a clean bill of health this week.