Elijah Pepper (born May 8, 2001) is an Australian-American basketball player for the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the UC Davis Aggies and won the Big West Player of the Year in 2024.
| No. 40 – Perth Wildcats | |
|---|---|
| Position | Shooting guard |
| League | NBL |
| Personal information | |
| Born | May 8, 2001 Shepparton, Victoria, Australia |
| Nationality | American / Australian |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Selah (Selah, Washington) |
| College | UC Davis (2019–2024) |
| NBA draft | 2024: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2024–present |
| Career history | |
| 2024–present | Perth Wildcats |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Early life and high school
editPepper was born in Australia, in the Victorian city of Shepparton,[1] before relocating to the U.S. as a young child.[2] He attended Selah High School in Selah, Washington. As a freshman, he averaged 21.3 points per game. Pepper increased his scoring to 29 points per game as a sophomore, leading the team to a 2A state title appearance. As a junior, he averaged 24.2 points per game and earned league MVP honors. Pepper was hampered by a knee injury as a senior but averaged 24.1 points per game and a 2A title game appearance. He committed to play college basketball at UC Davis.[3]
College career
editPepper became a starter as a freshman and averaged 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.[3] As a sophomore, he averaged 14.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Pepper averaged 15.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a junior.[4] As a senior, he averaged 22.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, earning First Team All-Big West honors.[5] Pepper entered the 2023 NBA draft before returning for his fifth season of eligibility.[6] On December 21, 2023, he scored 21 points in a win against UC Merced to surpass Audwin Thomas's mark as UC Davis all-time leading scorer.[7] Pepper was named Big West Player of the Year.[8]
Professional career
editOn April 19, 2024, Pepper signed with the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2024–25 season.[9]
Personal life
editPepper's father and uncle both played professionally.[1] His father, Ryan, played at Central Washington University before competing as a professional in Australia for the Hobart Chargers.[10] His mother was the manager of the team during the time Ryan played for the Chargers.[10] Pepper is the oldest of four children; he has two younger brothers and a younger sister.[1]
Pepper holds an Australian passport.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Elijah Pepper". ucdavisaggies.com. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ Woods, Dan (April 19, 2024). "How John Rillie finally got his man". NBL.com.au. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Thompson, Luke (December 17, 2022). "Points piling up for Selah's Pepper at UC Davis". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
- ^ Carabello, Gabriel (January 22, 2023). "Basketball: Pepper continues growth in UCD men's program". Davis Enterprise. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
- ^ "UC Santa Barbara Predicted to Win The Big West in 2023-24 Men's Basketball Preseason Poll". Big West Conference. October 19, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
- ^ "Local roundup: Pepper to enter his name into NBA Draft". Davis Enterprise. April 7, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
- ^ Ray, Amanda (December 21, 2023). "Selah's Pepper breaks UC Davis all-time scoring record". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
- ^ "Aggie Pepper is BWC Player of the Year". Davis Enterprise. March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
- ^ a b "Pepper adds spice to Wildcats' NBL25 roster". Wildcats.com.au. April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ a b "Elijah Pepper Breaks UC Davis Single Season Scoring Record". ucdavisaggies.com. February 26, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024.