Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena to lead standing ovation after video tribute to Bryce Cotton on Sunday

Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena will lead a standing ovation for Bryce Cotton just moments after an emotional video tribute is broadcast while both teams are assembled on RAC Arena, as the megastar returns home to play against the club for the first time on Sunday. Anticipation is building as the countdown begins to Cotton playing in Perth for the first time since leaving the Wildcats. The off-season was filled with emotion and tension amid the pain and shock of his departure, but Arena said Sunday was the perfect opportunity for everyone to show Cotton how much they love him. Arena said Cotton deserved a huge welcome home. “I’ll be the first one to give him a standing ovation after the video. I hope everyone is standing. He is a legend of the club. We will thank him for that and celebrate that,” Arena told The West Australian. “We love Bryce. The club loves Bryce. The Red Army loves Bryce. “Bryce has been a legendary member of the team and the club. He was a great contributor with five MVPs and multiple championships. We need to recognise that wherever he goes.” The Wildcats began planning ways to pay tribute to Cotton once the NBL fixture was released in June. The West Australian has viewed the video to be played, and it includes highlights of Cotton’s career, along with tributes from people such as Jesse Wagstaff and John Rillie. Arena said the club will time the video to guarantee the stadium will be full and Cotton will be watching on the court. “The tribute will be played before the national anthem. It’s really important for him to see it and appreciate it. It is really our thanks,” he said. “There wasn’t a proper goodbye with the way we went out of the semifinals in game three over in Melbourne. That was hard because he was out of contract after that game finished. “Hopefully, this is a bit of closure for us as a club and also for our members.” Cotton had been keen to explore his free agency options, and there was an expectation from throughout the league that he would sign a lucrative deal to play overseas. The star shooter set records last season with a stunning display that saw his value skyrocket. The Wildcats set Cotton a deadline to make a decision on his future in late March and then withdrew their contract offer to focus on building the rest of their roster. Adelaide pounced in May and signed Cotton to a shock three-year deal. There has been perceived tension between Cotton and Arena since his departure, but the Wildcats owner said he was excited to see him. “I’m sure I’ll bump into him before the game. I’m sure he’ll be locked in, so I don’t want to interfere with his preparation,” he said. “I’m sure I’ll say hi and wish him all the best. I know his family will be at the game, so I’ll wish them all the best as well.”