Bryce the Aussie

After calling Australia home for nearly a decade, Bryce Cotton is officially an Australian having been given his citizenship at a recent ceremony.

The five-time NBL MVP was among a group of the nation’s newest citizens to pledge their commitment to Australia at the Woodville Town Hall last Wednesday.

The Arizona-born guard first sought citizenship in 2019 and despite the arduous process says the wait was worth it.

“I can't believe it's finally official, but it means a lot,” Cotton said after the ceremony.

“It was a long time coming, but to finally experience this day, it's very gratifying.

“We had kind of just given up on it, like out of sight out of mind. And once we stopped, I guess, expecting it, it just popped up on us so to experience this, to be able to share that with (my family), it's a day I won't forget for sure.”

Cotton was supported by his wife and daughter, along with 36ers Executive Chairman Grant Kelley and Head Coach Mike Wells.

After being confirmed as an Australian citizen, Cotton said he would celebrate with a meal and a nice glass of red wine.

Cotton signed a three-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers in the off-season, ending a nine-season stint with Perth in which he won three NBL championships, five league MVP awards, eight All-NBL First Team selections and eight scoring champion awards among other accolades.

The 33-year-old will make his official Sixers debut when the club opens its NBL26 campaign at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre against the Brisbane Bullets from 4:00pm ACST on Sunday 28 September.