Perth Wildcats Vice Captain Greg Hire has signed on for the 2018 state basketball league season with the Rockingham flames.
Three-time NBL champion Greg Hire has announced he'll be joining the Rockingham Flames for their 2018 campaign.
Hire is a born and raised Western Australian athlete who has played over 200 games in the national competition and is set to pull on the new uniform at the close of the current NBL season.
He'll be sponsored by the Flames business partner, Rustico Tapas Bar.
Rockingham narrowly missed the playoffs last year and is looking to redeem themselves in the upcoming season with new additions like Hire.
The club said having the Wildcats Vice Captain on the roster will add to the sides cultural and leadership qualities as Hire joins Team Captain Ryan Godfrey and veteran player Jarryd Griffin.
Head Coach Brad Samuelson said he was excited for the potential of his group in 2018.
“Greg provides an element of competitiveness and relentlessness that lots of our group hasn’t been exposed to," he said.
"To add a guy of Greg’s experience, who possesses so many winning qualities, is a very exciting time for our young group."
Coach Samuelson said the team have potential to develop into a constant championship worthy side with the signing of Hire adding to their chances.
Hire said he was also excited to join the group, after seeing their promise during last year's season.
"I will be using my experience and influence that I’ve learned throughout my career on some of these younger guys, but more so looking forward to working with the coaching staff in the pursuit of championship success," he said.
"I’ve always enjoyed playing at The Hothouse and have fond memories of playing against club stalwarts Travis Moore and Jarryd Griffin, who I regard as one of one of toughest competitors."
The signing of Hire coincides with the return of Callum Beard who just finished up time at the Basketball Centre of Excellence in Canberra.
Juniors Luke Travers and Kane Waters are set to benefit from their times shared with the Wildcat both on and off the courts as they prepare to bounce between their time in Rockingham and the Centre of Excellence in Canberra.
Hire will debut with the flames at their season opener in a home match against Stirling on March 16.
The men's side will then travel to Kalgoorlie on March 17 for the Ronald McDonald House Charity Celebrity game.
Young boy dies in Meadow Springs house fire
State Government to fund Coodanup boat ramp upgrade
Locals claim $1m Lotto wins
Double demerits now in force over Christmas period
Firefighters contain and control Furnissdale blaze
Baldivis named as worst car park crash suburb in WA
Mandurah man nearly misses out on $150k Lotto win
Port Kennedy bushfire deliberately lit
Emergency crews kept busy with Dawesville boat fire, Greenfields house fire