Bryce Cotton Breaks NBL Scoring Record With Legendary Performance

Is Bryce Cotton the Greatest Scorer in NBL History?

Bryce Cotton, the reigning NBL24 MVP, delivered a career-defining performance that will be etched in the league’s history books. After a challenging start to the season—marked by injuries, tough losses, and personal struggles with form—Cotton chose the perfect stage to remind everyone why he’s one of the greatest. Facing the New Zealand Breakers, he erupted for a jaw-dropping 59 points, setting a new 40 minute era NBL scoring record in the process.

It was a statement game for the Perth Wildcats superstar, who seemed fuelled by the performances of Chris Goulding and James Batemon earlier this season against his Perth Wildcats. Watching those rivals make history against his Wildcats, Cotton quietly waited for his chance to respond. When it came, he didn’t just answer—he dominated.

From the opening tip, Cotton was unstoppable, torching the Breakers’ defence with a dazzling display of shot-making. By halftime, he had already racked up 31 points, leaving fans in the arena and at home wondering if they were about to witness history. The anticipation reached fever pitch early in the fourth quarter when Cotton drained his signature step-back three-pointer to break the record, igniting wild celebrations at RAC Arena.

The Wildcats were fully behind their star, orchestrating plays to keep the hot hand going. Whether it was setting screens to free him up, creating fast-break opportunities, or clearing out space for him to isolate defenders, the team made sure Cotton had every chance to shine. And shine he did.

Cotton’s final stat line was as remarkable as his scoring: 59 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, and a block, leading Perth to a 123-112 victory. He shot an incredible 64% from the field and 46% from beyond the arc, putting on a clinic for the ages.

In breaking the NBL’s all-time single-game scoring record, Cotton also surpassed James Crawford’s 57-point mark, which had stood as the Perth Wildcats’ franchise record since the 48-minute era. Achieving this in a 40-minute game makes the feat even more extraordinary and solidifies his place as the league’s top scorer in the shorter format.

This performance has reignited the perennial debate: Who is the greatest player in NBL history—Bryce Cotton or Andrew Gaze? With Cotton’s latest achievement, the conversation has taken on new life.

For now, what’s undeniable is that Bryce Cotton has once again proven why he is regarded as one of the all-time greats. His record-breaking performance is a testament to his resilience, skill, and unyielding drive to succeed. It’s a game that will live long in the memory of Wildcats fans and basketball lovers across the league.

The legend of Bryce Cotton continues to grow. What a superstar!