One of the newest NBL Next Stars, Spanish prodigy Izan Almansa, has revealed the driving force that swayed his decision to join the mighty Wildcats. 

Instead of having a chip on his shoulder and trying to match Alex Sarr's rise as the number two draft pick, the highest player to be selected from the NBL to the NBA, Almansa is using Sarr's journey as inspiration and a motivator. 

Sarr skyrocketed up draft boards during his time as a Next Star in Perth and was a big factor in its Finals run last season.

The reason why the 19-year-old Almansa chose the Wildcats as his stepping stone to the NBA was because of Sarr's rapid development while he was in the NBL. 

“I have been (playing) with him for years. But the progress that he made here, I hadn’t seen that before…I’m impressed and I hope I can do the same,” Almansa said. 

“Seeing how much he improved here, and seeing him rise up on the draft boards made me want to come here.”

The 6’10 forward has already created a spotlight on himself as the first non-USA player to be named MVP of the U17 World Cup, and the first ever player to be named MVP of both the U17 World Cup and the U19 World Cup. 

Confident in heading to the NBA, Almansa said shooting will be one of his main focuses this season. 

“I want to improve my shooting, get stronger, and get used to competing against strong people and great players. Also to get used to playing in an environment like RAC Arena - get used to playing in environments like that, so that when I go to the NBA I am ready,” he said. 

Perth's first game of NBL25 will be at the first ever HoopsFest at the home of the Wildcats, RAC Arena, on Friday, September 20, against the South East Melbourne Phoenix. 

Feature image by: Sports Imagery