Perth Wildcats captain Jesse Wagstaff has been left both amazed and overwhelmed by the reaction to his rare slam dunk during a recent National Basketball League (NBL) game. The veteran player, known for his understated style, joked that the outpouring of celebration from fans and teammates has made him wish he had opted for a lay-up instead.
A Moment of Surprise on the Court
With just one minute remaining in the Wildcats' 98-84 victory over Cairns at RAC Arena, Wagstaff seized an open opportunity to produce a slam dunk, a move not typically associated with the 39-year-old champion. Reflecting on the incident, he expressed disbelief at the number of messages he received in the following days.
"It's not often I get that many texts. I've received a lot. I bloody regret doing it," Wagstaff laughed. "It was open. It was just there, so I did it. It wasn't something I planned."
Teammate and Fan Reactions Capture Attention
The dunk sparked wild celebrations from Wagstaff's teammates and loud cheers from fans at RAC Arena. Notably, Kristian Doolittle's stunned reaction as he watched his skipper soar towards the basket has garnered significant attention, with many sharing screenshots of the moment.
Wagstaff shared his appreciation for the joy it brought to others. "Seeing the bench's reaction and the smiles it brought to their faces was a really good feeling," he said. "One of the strengths of our team is that we find great joy in other's success. That's been a strong point all year."
Connecting with Fans at Family Day
Following the game, Wagstaff and his teammates attended the club's annual Family Day at Karrinyup Shopping Centre, where fans relished the chance to meet their heroes and participate in basketball activities. The Wildcats, currently in fourth place on the ladder, are preparing for their upcoming match against Brisbane.
Wagstaff emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum. "We're spoilt with the fan base we have. I've seen a lot of these days and it's a privilege to have this type of support," he remarked. "We are playing good basketball, but we still have three games left. Anything can happen during play-offs. We just have to keep chipping away."
The captain highlighted the team's focus on consistency and effort as they approach the final stretch of the season, underscoring their commitment to showing up and performing their roles effectively.
