Sources: Perth Wildcats sign Notre Dame big man John Mooney

Notre Dame big-man John Mooney has signed with the Perth Wildcats for the 2020-21 NBL season, the team confirmed on Friday.

Mooney, 23, will be the second and final import for the Wildcats, joining fellow American Bryce Cotton on the defending NBL champions.

The 6’9 power forward averaged 16.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game for the Fighting Irish over the course of the 2019-20 college basketball season, recording 25 double doubles in 31 contests.

“I’m humbled and flattered for the interest Perth has given me and I couldn’t be more excited to have signed my deal,” Mooney said. “I understand the Wildcats organisation values winning, working hard and setting a great example for the community. All of these values align with mine and I can’t wait to help Perth compete for a third-straight title.

“Fans can expect a player who will give it 100 percent all every game and every possession. I am a guy who is very coachable and wants to improve in between games. I’m extremely passionate about the game and will help my team win in any way I can.”

John Mooney of Notre Dame has signed with the Wildcats. Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Mooney’s contract has an NBA-out clause, sources said, with the Maryland-native an automatic entrant for the 2020 draft.

The Wildcats lost Nick Kay over the NBL off-season — the power forward signed for Real Betis — so, aside from re-signing Cotton, the team’s priority was to replace their All-NBL First Team local.

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Trevor Gleeson’s team does that with Mooney, who was one of college basketball’s most effective big-men during his senior year at Notre Dame where he was named First-team All-ACC.

“John’s versatile, can play the four or five and shoot the ball from the three,” Gleeson said. “He’s six-foot-nine, he’s strong, he can score and obviously rebound the ball, but he also has a very good basketball IQ.

“Those rebounding stats transfer straight to professionalism, and he’s been producing those numbers in the best college conference in America. John also has a strong work ethic, he wants to keep improving, he has a team-first attitude.

“We believe John has the tools to play in the NBA in the future and we are excited we’ve got his signature.”

Mooney joins Cotton, Clint Steindl, Jesse Wagstaff, Majok Majok, Todd Blanchfield, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Mitch Norton, and Kevin White on the Wildcats’ roster for the upcoming NBL season. The team has one roster spot remaining, as well as the option to bring in a Next Stars player.