Wildcats sign sharp-shooting Tai Webster

The Perth Wildcats are pleased to announce the signing of exciting combo-guard Tai Webster on a two-year deal.

The deal will see Webster play the remainder of the 2022/23 NBL season with the Wildcats, with a mutual option for the 2023/24 NBL season. 

The Auckland-born sharp-shooter joins the club following a stint with Petkim Spor of the Turkish Basketball Super League, where he was averaging 8.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.

Webster, who stands at six-foot-four, is an experienced NBL championship-winning talent, securing a title with the New Zealand Breakers in 2013.

During his last season in the NBL in 2020/21, Webster averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game.

He will join his older brother, Corey Webster, on the Wildcats roster, the pair reunited after playing on the same team on multiple occasions throughout their careers. 

Webster says he’s excited to return to the league.

“It feels great, coming back to a league to that I pay close attention to, and I enjoy watching,” he said.

“It’s good to be coming back and to be close to family.

“Obviously a big drawing card was to play with Corey again, but I’m no stranger to the success of the Perth Wildcats, I want to win another NBL title and there would be no better place to do it than at Perth.”

Perth Wildcats head coach John Rillie said Webster will be an excellent addition to the team.

“When you have the ability to add a good, talented local player to your NBL roster it’s always something you have to visit, any time you can add talent is a good thing,” he said.

“We’re adding a dynamic playmaker.

“You can see over the last month our team is really finding a nice groove and Tai will add another dimension to that in our back-court, and also relieve some of the scoring burden off some of our other players as well.”

Perth Wildcats GM of Basketball Operations Danny Mills said Webster is a great fit for the roster.

“As we continue to build our roster, not only for this season but into the future, adding elite local talent is a priority for us and Tai absolutely falls into that category,” he said.

“He’s a dynamic scoring guard who compliments the rest of our roster with his quickness and ability to put down-hill pressure on the rim as a playmaker, and we’re extremely excited about Tai’s addition and the depth it will add to our perimeter attack.

“Tai is a proven commodity both here in the NBL and at the EuroCup and Euroleague levels overseas, and as a player just entering the prime of his career, we welcome him to Perth and can’t wait to see him in a Wildcats jersey this season and into next.”

Webster will suit up for the Perth Wildcats when they face the New Zealand Breakers on Wednesday 4 January at TSB Stadium in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

Following the signing of Tai Webster, Corey Shervill has been released from the Wildcats 11-man roster. 

The Perth Wildcats would like to thank Shervill for his contributions to the club and look forward to him remaining involved with the team as a training player.