Elijah Pepper

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.

Early life and high school
Pepper was born in Australia, in the Victorian city of Shepparton, before relocating to the U.S. 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 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.

Professional career
On April 19, 2024, Pepper signed with the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2024–25 season.

Personal life
Pepper's father and uncle both played professionally. His father, Ryan, played at Central Washington University before competing as a professional in Australia for the Hobart Chargers. His mother was the manager of the team during the time Ryan played for the Chargers. Pepper is the oldest of four children; he has two younger brothers and a younger sister.

Pepper holds an Australian passport.