Wildcats sign superstar big man, Fall leaves Breakers

NBL champion Jo Lual-Acuil will join the Perth Wildcats as the biggest signing of the post-Bryce Cotton era yet.

It comes as the tallest player in NBL history Tacko Fall is released from the final year of his contract with the New Zealand Breakers.

Gun centre Lual-Acuil won the 2020/21 NBL championship with Melbourne United and was a finalist for the league's MVP award a season later, ultimately losing out to Jaylen Adams.

He was selected in the All-NBL Second Team in his most recent season with United in 2024 before leaving for a stint abroad, playing in Turkey, China, Libya, and Egypt.

Lual-Acuil was named the Basketball Africa League's MVP, scoring champion and defensive player of the year for his stay with Libya's Al Ahly Ly in 2024.

The 31-year-old bolsters a Wildcats team regrouping after the departure of superstar guard and Adelaide 36ers recruit Cotton, one of the NBL's greatest players.

"I'm excited to be coming back home," said Lual-Acuil on signing a two-year deal.

"I grew up in Perth watching the Wildcats and can't wait to run out at RAC Arena in front of the Red Army."

Time is ticking down for the side to lock in a new starting point guard to replace Cotton ahead of the season that tips off in September.

Perth have one import slot left on their roster.

The Breakers confirmed on Tuesday they had released Senegalese former NBA centre Fall, who stands 229cm tall, by mutual agreement.

Fall started with the Breakers on their US tour last September and largely failed to deliver on his potential after joining midway through the season proper, averaging 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.

Prior to his NBL stint, Fall played 40 NBA games at the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers from 2019 to 2022.

His exit leaves the Breakers on the hunt for two imports for the new season that tips off in September, with a starting centre and shooting guard looming as priorities.