BRYCE Cotton’s excitement to meet his new Perth Wildcats teammates was behind his decision to return to Australia earlier than last season.

Cotton resumed training with the team yesterday and quickly adjusted to being alongside recruits Mitch Norton, Nick Kay and Tom Jervis.

The NBL MVP didn’t arrive until August 30 last season.

But after playing in Italy once the Wildcats were knocked out of the play-offs and then resting in the US with family, he felt it was time to get back to business.

“I think I was ready to get back. Even though I missed home, I was ready to get back right after I celebrated my birthday (on August 11),” Cotton said.

“It gives me a better chance as well to get in tune with some of the new guys we have.

“I think that’s probably the biggest difference in comparison from last year to this year.

“It’s very important, especially with the new pieces coming into the team. We want to make sure everyone is fully adjusted and that the chemistry is at an all-time high by the time the season starts.”

The Wildcats have practice matches against the Adelaide 36ers in Perth on September 7 and September 9 before flying to the US for the NBA pre-season.

Perth will play the Utah Jazz, Cotton’s former team, and the Denver Nuggets before returning to Australia.

Cotton said he was looking forward to renewing acquaintances with his former teammates and said the Wildcats had a squad capable of challenging for another title.

“I think with the new pieces we have, the sky is the limit,” he said.

“From what I’ve seen so far I think we should be pretty fun.

“It’s good to have competition.

“It lets you know you can’t take any plays off, you can’t take any practices off and that just makes the team better.”

“Any day you slack off, that’s another chance for other teams to keep getting better.”

Import Terrico White won’t arrive for another fortnight.