While it's not yet a done deal, Perth coach Rob Beveridge is excited at the prospect of former NBA player Matthew Freije joining the NBL club.
The 208cm US-born Lebanon international is yet to sign on the dotted line but has verbally agreed to join the Cats on a one-year deal, joining Paul Rogers and Martin Cattalini in Beveridge's big man department.
But Freije, who had playing stints with New Orleans and Atlanta, may not arrive in Perth until mid September, less than two weeks before the Cats' season opener against Wollongong on September 25.
Freije wants to remain in the US until that time in order to be with his wife, who is pregnant with their first child.
Beveridge said the 27-year-old would provide the team with great scoring potency.
"We are going to play an up tempo style so I've tried to recruit people that fit into my type of system," Beveridge said.
"He can run the floor, he's very mobile.
"He can shoot the three-point shot or he can post it up inside.
"He's a very well rounded player.
"He's not just a pick and pop player from the three-point line, he can play inside and outside.
"He probably gets 60 per cent of his points inside, 40 per cent outside.
"He's not your Paul Rogers type centre, he's pretty much inside-outside."
Freije would fill Perth's second import spot after the Cats secured American guard Kevin Lisch earlier this month.
But even if Freije doesn't end up coming, Beveridge has a plan B in place - a former NBA player who is more of an inside player.
Perth's squad is almost unrecognisable to the Scott Fisher-led outfit that bombed out in the first round of the finals last season.
Guard Damian Martin, Lisch, Jesse Wagstaff, Drew Williamson and Cattalini are all new additions, with only Rogers, Shawn Redhage, Brad Robbins and Stephen Weigh remaining on from last season.
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