Perth Wildcats import Kristian Doolittle has signed a bumper three-year deal to stay at the club.

Just weeks after he told The West Australian’s Dribble Podcast he would sign the longest deal possible, the American has signed on until the end of 2028.

The forward averaged 15.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists during his second season in Perth. The Wildcats lost their three-game semifinal series to Melbourne United last week.

His signing comes as the Wildcats continue their bid to keep the NBL’s greatest-ever player Bryce Cotton at the club for another season.

Doolittle said their heartbreaking defeat to United has made him even more hungry for success at the Wildcats and said Perth is already his home.

“I’m excited to commit my long-term future to the Wildcats and call Perth home,” he said.

“The club has been really good to me and my family and I’ve enjoyed my first two seasons at the Wildcats under head coach John Rillie who has the same dedication to winning as myself.

“To come so close to qualifying for this season’s championship series only fuels my desire to win a title with the Wildcats and I believe we are heading in the right direction to achieve the ultimate success.”

Doolittle has also played for Vaqueros de Bayamón in Puerto Rico for the past five Australian winters and wants to stay committed to both clubs.

Coach John Rillie — who Doolittle says he has a close bond with — believes he has already grown as a leader in Perth.

“We’re thrilled to lock in Kristian for a further three seasons with the club and love that he and his young family will continue to call Perth home for the foreseeable future,” he said.

“He sets a high standard with his day to day work ethic and professionalism and he’s proven over the last two seasons that he is an elite performer in our league and a difference maker on both ends.

“Kristian is an integral part of our roster build for NBL26 and beyond as we continue to make the necessary additions this off-season to take another step forward to compete for an 11th Championship.”