'Ready to cook': First look at Knight knocking down threes

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NBA journeyman and restaurant owner Brandon Knight ($277,000) is in Perth, and his three-point shooting drill with head coach John Rillie shows he's ready to cook.

Knight, 34, arrived on Wednesday after signing with the Wildcats in mid-September.

The Wildcats posted his workout with Rillie inside RAC Arena, and he didn't miss a shot for a minute as Rillie kept pulling the ball out of the net.

Perth (2-1) has come under intense criticism for securing Knight, a 451-game NBA veteran, just a week out from the start of NBL27.

Knight, next to the baggage claim at Perth Airport, was asked why it took him about two weeks to arrive, including speculation that he opened a restaurant.

"That's a part of it, but that wasn't the exact reason," Knight said.

"I've got two toddlers: a three-year-old and a one-year-old here soon.

"I would say family is probably more of a reason than that: making sure they were situated, making sure my wife was situated before I left, along with businesses. Not just the restaurant, but other things as well.

"The restaurant is part of it, but it's a bigger ecosystem of things that I had to get in order before making the trip here for a couple of months."

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Brandon Knight drives to the basket for Team USA. Photo: FIBA.com

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It took no time for Knight to start talking like the floor general and leader the Wildcats desperately need. They've been running shooting guards Elijah Pepper ($202,700) and Anthony Dell'Orso ($100,000) at the one while they waited for Knight and the injured Jaron Rillie ($177,100), who is expected back tonight.

"We'll have a couple of days to really get acquainted and adjusted with the guys here," Knight said.

"I've been watching a little bit, but it's completely different once you land and start connecting with the guys and seeing where you can add value.

"I am looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to just playing. I'm here to serve these guys.

"I'm here to serve the vision that's already in place.

"There's a goal to be a really successful team in this league and to compete for a championship. I'm thankful for the opportunity.

"When you come in, and you're not thinking about self, you're thinking about, 'How can I make the team better? How can I make the guys around me better? How can I make their jobs easier?'

"I think that's what it's about. It won't happen overnight, but if it does, that'll be amazing.

"I hope I can come in and things just click as if I've been here for two years or for the entire preseason. But if rocks or bumps hit, I'm prepared and ready for that as well."

Knight admitted he had a clear case of FOMO over Elijah Pepper's game-winning three against Bryce Cotton ($473,900)'s Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena in Round 2.

"I saw it, that's thrilling, man. I'm like, 'I want to be there hugging him'," Knight said.

"I want to be there hugging him and celebrating with him. It's amazing just to see that. Just watching it, I was excited.

"To be here, to be in the trenches with the guys and fighting with the guys, and to have outcomes like that, that's why you play the game and why you train so hard.

"That's why you come together for things like that and moments that'll live forever in his mind, with his kids or his family, and the people who are at the games as well. That's exciting."

The Wildcats face South East Melbourne Phoenix (again) at RAC Arena on Friday, October 2, 2026 at 9.30pm (AEST). It's unclear whether Knight will suit up.

As for the restaurant.

"We’re in the build-out phase right now. We started in 2023. That went really well, so we were able to expand," Knight revealed.

"Construction is construction. You have your delays. You have your things that happen, but we should be open soon."

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