Perth Wildcats guard Bryce Cotton returns to WA next week with his citizenship application lodged and a baby on the way.

Cotton spent the off-season in the US and will play his fourth NBL season hopeful of having his citizenship approved, allowing the Wildcats to eventually play him as an Australian.

It would also pave the way for potential Boomers selection.

Cotton is contracted for two more seasons and Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson said there was no doubt about how much he had embraced Australia.

“He really came into the Australian culture,” he said.

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“When he came here for that short stint of two months, he liked it enough to come back.

“His partner is pregnant and they’re due for a baby later on this year. Having a baby in Australia and becoming an Australian citizen might be quite normal.”

Former Melbourne and New Zealand centre Majok Majok was the only new face on the opening day of pre-season training yesterday.

Majok struggled for court time at the Breakers last season and is determined to have a rebounding impact.

Having played against the Wildcats for four seasons, Majok said other teams feared their defensive prowess.

“It was always tough,” he said.

“They are a tough team in the league that plays defence and have a next man-up mentality.

“They crash the glass hard, hold the opponents to low points.

“It’s that defensive group mentality that is feared most around the league.”