The Perth Wildcats have signed their first import for the 2009-10 NBL season in Kevin Lisch of St Louis University. Lisch is a combo-guard who is known for his defensive toughness after a solid four year stint at St Louis, where he averaged 14ppg.
He joins a backcourt that already boasts terrier-like stoppers in Damian Martin and Brad Robbins, as well as swingman Stephen Weigh.
With Martin and Robbins renowned stoppers, Lisch already likes the thought of the team the ‘Cats are putting together.
“I can play at the two or one spots and can score definitely, but I really take pride in my defence. I know that my defence will be there every single day, and sometimes you will make shots and that’s great, but my defence is what I really take pride in,” Lisch said.
“I’ve also heard a couple of the other guards in the team are really strong defensively and that’s exciting to hear, and I can’t wait to help them out. If your team defence is strong, you can win any game.”
Others already on the Wildcats roster include Jesse Wagstaff, Martin Cattalini, Paul Rogers, Shawn Redhage, under new coach Rob Beveridge. The Cats are still to add another import and local player.
Lisch sounds like the tough, selfless character that most teams would love to bring onboard. Four years ago, when he started his University career, the St Louis Magazine interviewed him on his upbringing and his hopes. He revealed that his father was a former NFL quarterback, who also played college football with Joe Montana — a definite source of toughness in Lisch’s development. His response to the following question gave a good insight into his mindset as a player:
In four years, when you’re walking across that stage to receive your SLU diploma, what do you want people to say about Kevin Lisch?
Not necessarily that I was the greatest basketball player in SLU history, even though I’d like to be one of them. I’d like them to say, “That kid, he wasn’t selfish at all. Out on the court, he was looking out for his teammates. On campus, he wasn’t trying to act like a big man. He was down-to-earth, selfless.”
