Three-time NBL champion and two-time league MVP Bryce Cotton is expected to be an Australian citizen before the end of the NBL season.
The biggest hurdle for Bryce to this point has been getting federal government approval for his distinguished talent visa application which finally found it’s way to Cotton’s email this morning.
The next steps are for Cotton to lodge his formal citizenship application, which includes a much less complicated and easier approval process, edging him closer to becoming a local player for the Wildcats and a potential part of the Australian Boomers team for the 2020 Olympics.
The American guard had spent six months waiting with no response after being told in August that his visa was ready to be completed, but it couldn’t be finalised unless he was no longer in Australia. With Covid-19 impacting travel in and out of the country, Cotton didn’t want to risk leaving Australia given the health risks and the difficulty of getting back into the country for the NBL season.
The process was at a stalemate until recently, the federal government recognised the problems with the process and made an exception for Cotton and any other applicants in the same situation, allowing them to be granted VISA’s regardless of where they were currently living.
The decision today doesn’t alter Cotton’s status as an import with the Wildcats, nor does it guarantee. Cotton will be naturalised, but it removes the biggest hurdle stopping him from becoming an Australian. Cotton will remain listed as an import until the naturalised process is completed. Based on previous applications it is expected that will occur midway through this NBL season.
Cotton is currently contracted to the Wildcats until 2023 and becoming a local player would mean the Wildcats would be able to sign a second import to bolster their roster. Former NBA big man Miles Plumlee had agreed to join the Wildcats after the club learnt that Cotton’s visa was one step away from being granted however the extended delays have since seen him leave the country for travel.