Corey Webster (basketball)

Corey Webster (born 29 November 1988) is a New Zealand professional basketball player for Virtus Roma of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). A three-time NBL champion with the New Zealand Breakers, Webster has had stints playing in Europe and spent the 2015 NBA preseason with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Corey Webster
No. 9 – Virtus Roma
PositionShooting guard / Point guard
LeagueSerie A
Personal information
Born (1988-11-29) 29 November 1988
Auckland, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealand
Listed height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Listed weight86 kg (190 lb)
Career information
High schoolWestlake Boys
(Auckland, New Zealand)
CollegeLambuth (2007–2008)
NBA draft2010 / Undrafted
Playing career2008–present
Career history
2008–2011New Zealand Breakers
2009–2010Harbour Heat
2011Wellington Saints
2012–2017New Zealand Breakers
2013–2014Wellington Saints
2015Mega Leks
2016Koroivos
2016Super City Rangers
2017Wellington Saints
2017–2018Ironi Nahariya
2018Guizhou
2018–2019New Zealand Breakers
2019–2020Zhejiang Lions
2020–presentVirtus Roma
Career highlights and awards

High school and college

Webster attended Westlake Boys High School in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2007, he moved to the United States to attend college at Lambuth University, where he played basketball for the Eagles during the 2007–08 season, averaging 11.5 points per game as a freshman.

Professional career

Early years and success (2008–2011)

In 2008, Webster returned to Auckland and joined the New Zealand Breakers as a development player, spending two seasons in that role[1][2] before joining the full-time roster in 2010 on a three-year contract.[3] During this time, he also spent the off-seasons with the Harbour Heat of the New Zealand NBL.

In his first full contracted season with the Breakers in 2010–11, Webster helped the team win their first championship. He went on to play for the Wellington Saints during the 2011 New Zealand NBL season where he won his second championship in a matter of months.

Drug ban (2011–2012)

In November 2011, Webster was released by the Breakers due to a drug violation which forced him to sit out the 2011–12 season.[4] He consequently missed out on the Breakers back-to-back championship run that season.

Forgiveness and building stardom (2012–2015)

Despite his mishaps, Webster was forgiven by the Breakers as the club brought him back on a three-year deal in August 2012.[5][6] He went on to be a part of the Breakers' three-peat in 2012–13.[7] His return to the Breakers line-up was mirrored with his return to the Wellington Saints squad for the 2013 New Zealand NBL season.[8]

The 2013–14 NBL season saw Webster become a scoring threat off the bench behind Daryl Corletto, as averaged 8.5 points per game. However, the Breakers missed the playoffs that season for the first time since 2010. During the 2014 New Zealand NBL season, Webster further showed his scoring prowess, as he averaged a career-high 25.8 points and earned league MVP honours.[9] He went on to lead the Saints to their eighth NZNBL Championship.[10]

The 2014–15 NBL season saw the Breakers return to the top of the table thanks to the backcourt pairing of Webster and Cedric Jackson. With an increase in output from Webster, going from 8.5 points to 15.3 points, he was in the running for Most Improved Player and helped lead the Breakers back to the Grand Final series where they defeated the Cairns Taipans 2–0.

2015 off-season

On 23 March 2015, Webster signed with Mega Leks for the rest of the 2014–15 KLS season.[11] On 1 June 2015, he earned an invitation to an Indiana Pacers NBA training camp held between 16–18 June.[12]

On 15 June 2015, Webster re-signed with the New Zealand Breakers on a three-year deal.[13] In early September, he returned to the United States for an NBA workout with the New Orleans Pelicans.[14][15] Later that month, he signed with the Pelicans for training camp and preseason.[16][17] He appeared in three NBA preseason games for the team, but his performances weren't good enough to earn him a spot on the regular season roster, as he was waived by the Pelicans on 15 October 2015.[18]

Post-NBA attempt (2015–2017)

Following his release from the Pelicans, Webster returned to New Zealand and re-joined the Breakers for the rest of the 2015–16 NBL season.[19] He helped bring the Breakers out of a 1–3 start to the season, and on 22 November, he scored a career-high 39 points in an 80–69 win over Melbourne United.[20][21] The Breakers finished the regular season in fourth place with a 16–12 win/loss record and defeated first-seeded Melbourne United 2–0 in the semi-finals to return to the Grand Final. There they faced the Perth Wildcats where they were defeated 2–1, earning runners-up honors for the first time in club history.[22] In 28 games played during the 2015–16 season, Webster averaged 19.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game, and earned All-NBL second team honours.

On 21 March 2016, Webster signed with Koroivos of Greece for the rest of the 2015–16 Greek Basket League season.[23] He managed just two games for the club before returning to Auckland and signing with the Super City Rangers for the rest of the 2016 New Zealand NBL season on 19 April.[24]

Coming into the 2016–17 NBL season, Webster had multiple niggling injuries. He played through them, but combined with Kirk Penney returning to the Breakers and taking over the starting shooting guard role, Webster's production and effectiveness in 2016–17 saw a decline. In addition, an off-field assault charge in late November resulted in him missing a game and caused a stir within the Breakers camp. Heading into Round 11, the Breakers sat in seventh spot on the ladder with a 7–9 record and looked to turn their season around with a grand final rematch against the Perth Wildcats in Auckland on 15 December. However, a day before the scheduled rematch, Webster was placed on injury waiver by the Breakers for the "medium to long term".[25][26] In 15 games played in 2016–17, Webster averaged 11.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. On 5 January 2017, he announced his decision to undergo hip surgery,[27][28] but after his injuries improved with rehab and time away from the daily grind of the basketball season, Webster never had the procedure.[29] The Breakers went on to miss the playoffs in 2016–17 with a 14–14 record.

2017 off-season

On 2 March 2017, Webster signed with the Wellington Saints for the 2017 New Zealand NBL season, returning to the team for a third stint.[29][30] Later that month, after the Breakers severed ties with Webster,[31] he signed a two-year deal with the Perth Wildcats.[32][33] After leading the Saints to championship glory and winning the league MVP award,[34][35] Webster ventured to the United States to trial with the Dallas Mavericks. After turning heads at their free agent mini-camp in late June, Webster agreed to terms with the Mavericks to join the team's roster for the 2017 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.[36] Then on 13 July 2017, the Wildcats agreed to a request from Webster to release him from his contract with the club, effective immediately. Webster expressed the desire to break his contract to pursue his career overseas.[37]

Israel (2017–2018)

On 1 August 2017, Webster signed with Ironi Nahariya of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.[38] On 2 March 2018, Webster won the Three-Point Shootout during the 2018 Israeli All-Star Event.[39] On 3 May 2018, Webster parted ways with Nahariya.[40] In 23 games played during the 2017–18 season, Webster averaged 15.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Return to the Breakers (2018–2019)

On 24 May 2018, Webster returned to the New Zealand Breakers, signing a three-year deal with the club.[41] The following month, he joined the Guizhou Shenghang Snow Leopards of the Chinese NBL.[42] The Breakers' 5–8 record to start the 2018–19 season coincided with Webster's form slump.[43] After scoring 31 points in a defeat to Melbourne United on 16 November,[43][44] he managed just 21 points at 4.2 a game over the ensuing month, while shooting 20 percent from the floor and 19 from beyond the arc.[43]

In December 2019, Webster was bought out of his contract in order to sign in China.[45]

China (2019–2020)

In December 2019, Webster joined Chinese team Zhejiang Lions for the rest of the CBA season.[45] He left China on 3 February 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.[46] In seven games for the Lions, he averaged 18.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Italy (2020–present)

On 29 February 2020, Webster signed with Virtus Roma of the Lega Basket Serie A for the rest of the 2019–20 season.[47]

National team career

Webster joined the New Zealand national basketball team for the first time in 2008 at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. He later played for New Zealand at the 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship,[48] 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship, 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, 2015 FIBA Oceania Championship and 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[49]

Personal

Webster is the son of Tony and Cherry Webster. Tony was a standout basketball player in his own right, earning first-team All-WAC honours at Hawaii in 1983 and ranking fourth on Hawaii's career steals list before playing professionally in New Zealand. Webster's younger brother, Tai, played four years of college basketball for the University of Nebraska and has played professionally in New Zealand and Europe.[50]

References
  1. "BREAKERS SIGN D-SQUADERS". 8 June 2008. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  2. "Breakers Fill Roster". Basketball.org.nz. 8 June 2009. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  3. Hinton, Marc (6 July 2010). "Breakers give young player another chance". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  4. "Breakers cut Webster loose after drug ban". Stuff.co.nz. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  5. "BREAKERS WELCOME BACK WEBSTER AS ROSTER IS FINALISED". NZBreakers.co.nz. 31 August 2012. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013.
  6. Hinton, Marc (7 September 2012). "Breakers give Webster a contract lifeline". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  7. Hinton, Marc (18 March 2013). "Breakers' faith repaid as Webster shines". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  8. "WEBSTER RE-SIGNS WITH SAINTS". Basketball.org.nz. 4 November 2012. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015.
  9. "HAWKS V SAINTS FINAL". Basketball.org.nz. 5 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  10. "It's eight for Saints in victory over Bay Hawks". Stuff.co.nz. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  11. "Corey Webster moves to Mega Leks". Sportando.com. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  12. "Tall Black Corey Webster recieves [sic] NBA opportunity". Yahoo.com. 1 June 2015. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  13. "Microwave Plugs in for Another Three Years with Breakers". NZBreakers.co.nz. 15 June 2015. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
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  15. "Basketball: Webster earns NBA shot". NZHerald.co.nz. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  16. "Pelicans Sign Adrien, Douglas-Roberts, Webster". NBA.com. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
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  18. "Pelicans Waive Corey Webster". NBA.com. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
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  20. "Breakers Vs United". NBL.com.au. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
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  22. "GF3 REPORT: WILDCATS BREAK NZ HOODOO FOR ANOTHER TITLE". NBL.com.au. 6 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  23. "Corey Webster inks with Koroivos Amaliadas". Sportando.com. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
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  25. "WEBSTER ON INJURY WAIVER AND SET TO MISS WILDCATS GAME". NZBreakers.co.nz. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  26. Hinton, Marc (14 December 2016). "NZ Breakers sideline 'injured' Corey Webster, will call in import to replace him". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  27. "Troubled Breakers star Corey Webster to have hip surgery". Stuff.co.nz. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  28. Wilson, Clay (5 January 2017). "'Last option' for frustrated Corey Webster as surgery sidelines Breakers star for rest of NBL season". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  29. Hinton, Marc (2 March 2017). "Tall Blacks shooting guard Corey Webster headed to Saints for 2017 NBL season". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  30. Hyslop, Liam (16 March 2017). "Corey Webster targets fresh start with Wellington Saints". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  31. Hinton, Marc (21 March 2017). "NZ Breakers sever ties with Corey Webster, accept ANBL rivals will now chase him hard". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  32. "COREY WEBSTER SIGNS WITH PERTH WILDCATS". Wildcats.com.au. 30 March 2017. Archived from the original on 30 March 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  33. Hinton, Marc (30 March 2017). "Perth Wildcats sign discarded Breakers star Corey Webster for 2017-18 ANBL season". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  34. Anderson, Niall (17 June 2017). "Basketball: Wellington Saints complete perfect NBL season". NZHerald.co.nz. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  35. "Saints vs Sharks". FIBALiveStats.com. 17 June 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  36. Santamaria, Liam (24 June 2017). "DALLAS MAVERICKS SIGN COREY WEBSTER FOR NBA SUMMER LEAGUE". NBL.com.au. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  37. "WEBSTER GRANTED RELEASE FROM WILDCATS". Wildcats.com.au. 13 July 2017. Archived from the original on 16 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  38. Luna, Nir (1 August 2017). "Ironi Nahariya tabs Corey Webster, ex Wellington S." Eurobasket.com. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  39. "אלוף תחרות השלשות: קורי וובסטר". basket.co.il (in Hebrew). 2 March 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  40. "עירוני נהריה הגיעה עם וובסטר להסכמה על שחרורו". one.co.il (in Hebrew). 3 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  41. "Webster Returns Home to Reunite with NZ Breakers". NBL.com.au. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
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  43. Hinton, Marc (20 December 2018). "NZ Breakers adamant star guard Corey Webster can shoot his way out of slump". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  44. Hinton, Marc (16 November 2018). "Melbourne United down Breakers despite hot shooting game from Corey Webster". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  45. "Breakers Accept Buyout For Corey Webster". NBL.com.au. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  46. Hinton, Marc (3 February 2020). "Corey Webster returns from China amid coronavirus fears; Breakers explore options". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  47. "Ingaggiato Corey Webster". virtusroma.it (in Italian). 29 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  48. "ANTHONY JOINS TALL BLACKS". Basketball.org.nz. 9 August 2009. Archived from the original on 29 January 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  49. "2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup – Corey Webster". FIBA.com. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  50. "Tai Webster Bio". Huskers.com. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
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