Elijah Pepper

Elijah Pepper
Pepper with the Perth Wildcats in 2026
No. 40 – Perth Wildcats
PositionShooting guard
LeagueNBL
Personal information
Born (2001-05-08) May 8, 2001 (age 25)
Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
Listed height
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight
200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolSelah (Selah, Washington)
CollegeUC Davis (2019–2024)
2024: undrafted
Playing career
2024–present
Career history
2024–presentPerth Wildcats
2025Warwick Senators
2026Wellington Saints
Career highlights

Elijah Ron Pepper (born May 8, 2001) is an Australian-American professional 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. He made his professional debut later that year for the Wildcats and in 2025 debuted for the Australia men's national basketball team. With the Wellington Saints of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) in 2026, he was named NZNBL Most Valuable Player.

Early life and high school

Elijah Ron Pepper was born on May 8, 2001, in Australia, in the Victorian city of Shepparton, before relocating to the United States as a young child. 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.

College career

Pepper became a starter for UC Davis as a freshman and averaged 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. 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. As a senior, he averaged 22.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, earning First Team All-Big West honors. Pepper entered the 2023 NBA draft before returning for his fifth season of eligibility. 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. Pepper was named Big West Player of the Year in 2024.

Professional career

On April 19, 2024, Pepper signed with the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2024–25 season. Injuries to fellow guards Bryce Cotton and Tai Webster opened the door for increased minutes, starting in seven of his 31 appearances. He scored a season-high 18 points against the Sydney Kings in just his second NBL appearance on September 27. He finished the season with averages of 7.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

Pepper joined the Warwick Senators of the NBL1 West for the 2025 season. On April 5, 2025, he scored 50 points with nine 3-pointers in the Senators' 117–79 season-opening win over the Lakeside Lightning. On April 12, he scored 51 points with nine 3-pointers in a 134–109 win over the Rockingham Flames. On April 17, he scored 48 points with 10 3-pointers in a 102–98 win over the Joondalup Wolves. On April 26, he scored 50 points in a 119–83 win over the Perth Redbacks. On May 3, he recorded a triple-double with 35 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in a 104–87 win over the Mandurah Magic. On July 18, he scored 37 of his 44 points in the first half of the Senators' 125–96 win over the Perry Lakes Hawks. The next day, he scored 59 points in a 130–79 win over the South West Slammers, setting a new NBL1 scoring record. He earned All-NBL1 West First Team honours and was the league's leading scorer. He led the Senators to the NBL1 West Grand Final with a team-high 33 points in a 99–97 win over the Flames in the preliminary final. In the grand final, Pepper scored a game-high 33 points in an 81–78 loss to the Geraldton Buccaneers. In 23 games, he averaged 35.96 points, 6.74 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 2.22 steals per game.

On March 31, 2025, the Wildcats picked up the second-year team option on Pepper's contract for the 2025–26 NBL season. On October 29, 2025, he scored an NBL career-best 19 points in a 95–84 win over the Tasmania JackJumpers. On January 22, 2026, he scored 20 of his career-high 25 points in the third quarter of the Wildcats' 106–69 win over the Cairns Taipans. He also finished with seven 3-pointers. On the season, he averaged 10.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting 40% from the field.

Pepper joined the Wellington Saints of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) for the 2026 season. On May 21, he scored 43 points in a 104–90 loss to the Southland Sharks. On June 1, he scored 45 points in a 105–84 win over the Manawatu Jets. Later that month, he was sidelined with a hamstring injury. He finished the regular season averaging a league-high 28.7 points per game. In the Saints' elimination final, Pepper scored a game-high 33 points in a 94–81 win over the Otago Nuggets. In the semi final, Pepper scored a game-high 32 points in a 112–69 win over the Auckland Tuatara. In the grand final, the Saints were defeated 104–101 in overtime by the Sharks despite a game-high 32 points from Pepper. For the season, he was named NZNBL Most Valuable Player alongside NZNBL All-Star Five and NZNBL Most Outstanding Guard.

On April 28, 2026, Pepper re-signed with the Wildcats on a two-year deal. On September 24, 2026, he scored 25 points and made the game-winning 3-pointer in a 98–97 win over the Adelaide 36ers. He went on to have four consecutive games with at least 25 points and helped the Wildcats start the season with a 4–1 record. On November 8, he scored 26 points in a 100–92 loss to the Cairns Taipans.

National team career

In February 2025, Pepper was named in the Australian Boomers squad for two FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. In April 2025, he was named in the Boomers squad for a trans-Tasman series against New Zealand in May.

In October 2025, Pepper was named in the Boomers squad for the first window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers. In February 2026, he was named in the squad for two more Asian qualifiers. In June 2026, he was named in the squad for two more Asian qualifiers in Perth in July. He later withdrew from the team due to injury. In August 2026, he was named in the squad for another two Asian qualifiers.

Personal life

Pepper's father, Ryan, and uncle, Jason, both played college basketball in the United States before competing at the state league level in Australia. Ryan, a native of Yakima, Washington, played at Central Washington University and then competed professionally in Australia. After a brief career with the Hobart Chargers in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL), Ryan played for the Shepperton Gators in the Big V between 1999 and 2002. While there he met his wife, Danielle, who worked for the company that owned Shepparton's gym. Jason played in the SEABL between 1996 and 2005.

Elijah Pepper is the oldest of four children; he has two younger brothers and a younger sister.

Pepper holds an Australian passport and is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Australia.

References

  1. ↑ "Elijah Ron Pepper - Australia - Player Profile - FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers". FIBA Basketball. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Elijah Pepper". ucdavisaggies.com. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  3. ↑ Woods, Dan (April 19, 2024). "How John Rillie finally got his man". NBL.com.au. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Thompson, Luke (December 17, 2022). "Points piling up for Selah's Pepper at UC Davis". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  5. ↑ Carabello, Gabriel (January 22, 2023). "Basketball: Pepper continues growth in UCD men's program". Davis Enterprise. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "Local roundup: Pepper to enter his name into NBA Draft". Davis Enterprise. April 7, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  8. ↑ Ray, Amanda (December 21, 2023). "Selah's Pepper breaks UC Davis all-time scoring record". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Aggie Pepper is BWC Player of the Year". Davis Enterprise. March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  10. 1 2 "Pepper adds spice to Wildcats' NBL25 roster". Wildcats.com.au. April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  11. 1 2 "NBL25 season review - Elijah Pepper". Wildcats.com.au. April 24, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 "Young duo locked in for NBL26". Wildcats.com.au. March 31, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Elijah Pepper Signs For 2025". facebook.com/WarwickSenatorsCCSRA. February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  14. ↑ "First-year Wildcat Pepper signs in NBL1 West". Wildcats.com.au. February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Lightning vs Senators". nbl1.com.au. April 5, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  16. ↑ Pike, Chris (April 5, 2025). "West Recap | Round 1 Saturday". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Senators vs Flames". nbl1.com.au. April 12, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  18. ↑ Pike, Chris (April 12, 2025). "West Recap | Round 2 Saturday". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Elijah Pepper's historically hot start". nbl1.com.au. April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Why the NBL1 West is Pepper's perfect fit". nbl1.com.au. April 17, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Wolves vs Senators". nbl1.com.au. April 17, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  22. ↑ Pike, Chris (April 17, 2025). "West Recap | Easter Round". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  23. ↑ "This NBL star's numbers need to be seen to be believed". NBL.com.au. April 24, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Senators vs Redbacks". nbl1.com.au. April 26, 2025. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  25. ↑ Pike, Chris (April 26, 2025). "West Recap | Anzac Round Saturday". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Pepper shakes up NBL1 with incredible display". NBL.com.au. April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Senators vs Magic". nbl1.com.au. May 3, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  28. ↑ Pike, Chris (May 3, 2025). "West Recap | Round 5 Saturday". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Senators vs Hawks". nbl1.com.au. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  30. ↑ Pike, Chris (July 18, 2025). "West Recap | Round 16 Friday". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Slammers vs Senators". nbl1.com.au. July 19, 2025. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  32. ↑ Pike, Chris (July 19, 2025). "West Recap | Round 16 Saturday". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  33. ↑ Pike, Chris (July 20, 2025). "Pepper sets new NBL1 record with 59 points". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Too hot to handle: Pepper's incredible scoring feat". nbl.com.au. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  35. ↑ Badkin, Liam (July 23, 2025). "Pepper adds a kick to set NBL1 scoring record". Basketball Rookie Me Central. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  36. ↑ "NBL1 West's best honoured at MVP Awards Night". nbl1.com.au. August 3, 2025. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  37. ↑ "NBL1 West Men | Leading Scorer". facebook.com/NBLOneWest. August 2, 2025. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Senators vs Flames". nbl1.com.au. August 16, 2025. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  39. ↑ Pike, Chris (August 16, 2025). "West Recap | Preliminary Finals Saturday". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  40. ↑ Pike, Chris (August 23, 2025). "West Recap | Men's Grand Final 2025". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Elijah Pepper". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved October 29, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  42. ↑ "JLA takes charge as 'Cats win in Tassie". nbl.com.au. October 29, 2025. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Pepper inspires hot Wildcats shooting night". nbl.com.au. January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  44. 1 2 "Wildcats Sharpshooter Elijah Pepper Re-Signs on New Two-Year Deal". Wildcats.com.au. April 28, 2026. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Mills Albert Saints Secure Major Signing of Australian Boomer Elijah Pepper". www.saints.co.nz. April 6, 2026. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Game Recap: Sharks v Saints". nznbl.basketball. May 21, 2026. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  47. ↑ Hinton, Marc (May 22, 2026). "Son of All Blacks legend tips off NBL career in promising fashion". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved May 25, 2026. The Saints found the going tough in the main matchup, despite a standout 43-point explosion from Aussie import Elijah Pepper.
  48. ↑ "Team-by-Team: NBL26/27 Off-Season Wrap (From NBL1 to Overseas)". nbl.com.au. May 25, 2026. Retrieved May 25, 2026. Elijah Pepper erupted for a season-high 43 points in Wellington's latest game despite the loss to the Sharks.
  49. ↑ "Game Recap: Jets v Saints". nznbl.basketball. June 1, 2026. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Game Preview: Bulls vs Saints". nznbl.basketball. June 21, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Game Preview: Saints vs Giants". nznbl.basketball. June 26, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  52. ↑ "2026 Sal's NBL Awards: Finalists Revealed & Voting Explained". nznbl.basketball. July 27, 2026. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  53. ↑ "2026 SCORING CHAMPION". facebook.com/NZNBL. July 31, 2026. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Saints vs Nuggets". fibalivestats. July 30, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Elimination Final Recap: Saints vs Nuggets". nznbl.basketball. July 30, 2026. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  56. ↑ "Tuatara vs Saints". fibalivestats. August 1, 2026. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  57. ↑ Hinton, Marc (August 1, 2026). "Wellington Saints humble Auckland Tuatara to advance to another NBL grand final". thepress.co.nz. The Post. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Semi Final Recap: Tuatara vs Saints". nznbl.basketball. August 1, 2026. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  59. ↑ "Sharks vs Saints". fibalivestats. August 9, 2026. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  60. ↑ Egan, Brendon (August 9, 2026). "Southland Sharks edge Wellington Saints in thrilling overtime battle for NBL title". The Post. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  61. ↑ Egan, Brendon (August 9, 2026). "Dramatic overtime finish as Sharks beat Saints in NBL final". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  62. ↑ "Sharks Crowned 2026 Sal's NBL Champions". nznbl.basketball. August 10, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  63. ↑ "Sal's NBL 2026 MVP". nznbl.basketball. August 7, 2026. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  64. ↑ "Pepper crowned 2026 NZNBL MVP | Perth Wildcats". www.wildcats.com.au. August 7, 2026. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  65. ↑ "Sal's NBL All-Star Five". nznbl.basketball. August 5, 2026. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  66. ↑ "Sal's NBL 2026 Most Outstanding Guards Honoured". nznbl.basketball. August 6, 2026. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  67. ↑ "Pepper the hero with game winning prayer". nbl.com.au. September 24, 2026. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  68. ↑ Pike, Chris (September 25, 2026). "Pepper rides the high of career-best shot". authory.com. Retrieved September 27, 2026.
  69. ↑ "NBL27 Round 4 Match Report | Wildcats vs Breakers | Perth Wildcats". wildcats.com.au. October 10, 2026. Retrieved October 11, 2026.
  70. ↑ "Taipans strike to inflict more pain on 'Cats". nbl.com.au. November 8, 2026. Retrieved November 8, 2026.
  71. ↑ "Boomers announce team for Traralgon games". NBL Official Website. February 18, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  72. ↑ "Pepper joins coach Martin in Boomers squad for trans-Tasman series". Perth Wildcats. April 17, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  73. ↑ "Boomers confirmed for NZ double-header". www.australia.basketball. October 24, 2025. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  74. ↑ "Boomers eye next phase of World Cup qualification". www.australia.basketball. February 18, 2026. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  75. ↑ "'Aussie Bryce' headlines Boomers' Qualifiers squad". nbl.com.au. June 1, 2026. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  76. ↑ "Hometown heroes and Boomers' debutants selected for Perth". www.australia.basketball. June 1, 2026. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  77. ↑ "Team Update: Reyne Smith will come into the lineup for the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers". instagram.com/australianboomers. June 30, 2026. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  78. ↑ ""Officially a Boomer": Young gun ready to live out dream". nbl.com.au. August 24, 2026. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
  79. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (August 24, 2024). "Perth Wildcats recruit Elijah Pepper keen to make teams think twice about double teaming Bryce Cotton". The West Australian. Retrieved April 13, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  80. ↑ "Central Washington University Basketball Player Profiles, Ryan Pepper". Central Washington University Athletics. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  81. 1 2 "Elijah Pepper Breaks UC Davis Single Season Scoring Record". ucdavisaggies.com. February 26, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  82. ↑ "Ryan Pepper - Player Statistics SEABL". GameDay. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  83. ↑ Thompson, Luke (June 16, 2024). "Selah's Pepper set to start pro basketball career down under". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  84. ↑ Beeck, Marcus (April 23, 2024). "Pepper-ing buckets: Shepparton's Elijah Pepper signs for Wildcats in NBL". Shepparton News. Retrieved April 13, 2025. The young gun guard has a family connection with the NBL, given his father Ryan Pepper — who starred for Shepparton Gators from 1999-2002 — was...
  85. ↑ "Jason Pepper - Player Statistics SEABL". GameDay. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  86. ↑ "Central Washington University Basketball Player Profiles, Jason Pepper". Central Washington University Athletics. Retrieved April 13, 2025.