“Shattered”: Heartbreak as Bryce Cotton quits Wildcats

After nine seasons in the West, Bryce Cotton has called an end to his time at the Perth Wildcats.

After 258 games and being named NBL MVP five times, Cotton took to Instagram to confirm the news.

“Perth will always be home, but it’s time to say goodbye and see what else God has planned for me and my family,” Cotton wrote at the end of a lengthy caption in which he thanked Perth’s red army for always getting behind him.

“I came at the backend of the season my first year only expecting to be here 6 weeks, and it turned into accomplishing things that no other player has achieved in their first 9 seasons in the history of the league. All glory to God.

“Despite that, I had my slumps along the way on the court but you guys never turned your back on me and always showed genuine support. I can never thank you enough for that.”

Heartbroken by the news, SEN WA’s Scott Cummings was hoping it was all a bad dream.

“I refuse to accept it, Gossage said. “Saddened and shattered, it’s like a death in the family, he is the greatest of all time to ever play in the NBL and we’re so blessed to have had him play in Perth.

“Is there any chance it’s a ploy? I’m trying to find a loophole.

"As a supporter now I’m thinking where to now?

"Wildcats now have to replace about 25,000 points. I was fearful of this but I thought it was coming."

Only two weeks ago Cotton did an interview saying he had yet to make a decision on his future but was adamant he would not play for another NBL club.

Japan was widely regarded as the likely destination for the 32-year-old who was rumoured to be earning in the region of $1.2 million a season.

Asked about who might come in to replace the superstar, Tim Gossage said: "Kendrick Davis would be a good fit talent wise, but nobody is going to be the next Bryce Cotton."

Former Wildcat and Boomer Andrew Vlahov said the writing was on the wall for Cotton but insisted that money was not a deciding factor in his departure.

“It’s definitely disappointing however I’m not surprised,” he told Cummings and Gossage.

“There was always a possibility. It comes as no surprise, but it is disappointing.

“Naturalisation would have been a massive draw card for him to stay in Australia, there’s a number of factors but I don’t think that one made the final decision for Bryce.

“I think he sees it as he’s conquered it here. Money is not an issue because we would throw the kitchen sink at him bar none. I think there’s other motivations for him bar money.”

Vlahov, who played 11 seasons with Perth winning three NBL titles, said that while it was a sad day for the club, it presented an exciting opportunity.

"This is controversial (but) the way the Wildcats play is centred around Bryce and his brilliance," he said.

"Now we look at what players to bring in that create a balance. It’s an exciting phase. It’s a crying shame but we have to turn the page. It’s going to be exciting for the Cats to rebuild."

Perth Wildcats Owner, Mark Arena confirmed the news in a statement released shortly after Cotton's Instagram post.

“We cannot thank Bryce enough for what he’s done for our club across the past nine seasons," he said.

"His achievements at the Wildcats have been nothing short of historic and he will go down as one of the greatest players in our proud history.

“While we’re obviously disappointed that Bryce isn’t going to continue his career at the Wildcats – and we know our fans will feel the same – we wish him the best for the future and have the utmost respect for what he’s achieved with our team."