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How AFL star led Cotton to Aussie citizenship
Andrew Slevison • September 10th, 2025 12:00 pm
NBL superstar Bryce Cotton is now an Australian citizen.
The prized Adelaide 36ers recruit, who starred for the Perth Wildcats over nine seasons, was finally granted his citizenship last week.
It had been a long time coming for the 33-year-old American who was helped by migration law expert Ricky Bustos through a connection with Collingwood’s AFL American Mason Cox.
“I’m obviously relieved. I felt like it’s a long time coming,” Cotton said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“I’m definitely glad that it’s over though.”
How did it all come about?
“Mason Cox reached out to me a few years back and he pointed me in the direction of the lawyer who helped him obtain his citizenship,” he added.
“The guy’s name is Ricky Bustos and he’s been working very hard for us. He’s pretty much the big dog who is trying to get us to the promised land.”
Cotton, a Collingwood fan, was able to watch Cox and his Magpies teammates beat the Crows in a tense Qualifying Final at the Adelaide Oval last Thursday night.
“It was amazing. We knew the stakes were high,” Cotton said.
“The crowd was absolutely amazing. You can tell how passionate the fans were. It was a fun environment to be in.
“Honestly, I would have felt that way whether Collingwood won or Adelaide. The crowd really had that place rocking.”
He was also able to meet Crows great Darren Jarman.
“The living legend. It was cool to meet him,” said Cotton of his encounter with ‘Jars’.
“He’s full of life, a great personality. That was really cool.”
Now that he is an Aussie, is the three-time NBL champion and five-time MVP looking at forcing his way into the Boomers setup?
“I haven’t really thought about it,” Cotton admitted.
“I’m still honestly processing that this thing is actually official because I’m so used to hearing there’s a catch to it or there’s a delay.
“I’ll cross that bridge once this finally sets in.”
The major bonus for the 36ers is that Cotton will not be classed as an import meaning they now have the opportunity to bring in an overseas player.
“Yeah they could because with me obtaining citizenship I no longer count as an ‘import’,” he replied.
“They would be able to go ahead and get another American.”
Cotton will wear no.11 on his singlet, the same digits he had at the Wildcats.
And there is a emotional origin story behind it for the Arizona native.
“11 has always been a lucky number for me,” Cotton said of the lucky number 11.
“I was born on the 11th (August, 1992). And on a deeper note I was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy but they didn’t know what it was at the time. As it was progressively getting worse they told my mum to plan for the funeral and I wouldn’t make it pass sixth grade which meant I would have died at 11.
“When I see 11, for me, before I put my jersey on it’s a reminder of the things I’ve been through and overcome in life.
“I’m blessed to still be here and to make the most of the life I’m blessed to have.”
The 36ers’ 2025/26 NBL season kicks off against the Brisbane Bullets in Adelaide on September 28.
