BIO: Corey Webster was born and raised in Auckland (NZ) and attended Westlake Boys High School. He began playing junior basketball for North Harbour Basketball Association before moving to the United States in 2007 to attend college at Lambuth University, a NAIA school.

FAMILY: Corey’s brother, Tai Webster also played 103 games in the NBL.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Corey Webster made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 19 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Webster progressed through the New Zealand Breakers’ development and academy programs before spending a year playing college basketball in Tennessee, USA. In June 2008, he returned to New Zealand and joined the Breakers as a development player.

Opportunities were limited for Webster in his rookie season, as he appeared in just seven games, averaging 0.4 points, 0.1 rebounds, and 0.6 assists. The Breakers finished the regular season in third place with an 18-12 record.

Having made their first-ever playoff appearance the previous season, head coach Andrej Lemanis retained much of the team’s core for the new campaign. However, the squad saw some changes, with Phill Jones departing for Cairns and Tim Behrendorff signing with Wollongong. To strengthen the roster, the Breakers brought in experienced forward Dave Thomas from Cairns, but an injury forced Thomas into early retirement before the season tipped off. Former NBA player Awvee Storey was signed as his replacement, while development player Thomas Abercrombie was promoted to the main squad.

The Breakers struggled in the first half of the season, largely due to the absence of their leading scorer Kirk Penney (23.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists), who missed nine games with a back injury. Compounding their struggles was Storey’s underwhelming performances (7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists), leading to his release after just nine games. The club cited that “things weren’t working out” with the import. In an attempt to stabilize the roster, the Breakers signed veteran John Rillie (4.3 points and 1.6 rebounds) as a temporary replacement, but his 12-game stint failed to turn the team’s fortunes around.

A turning point came with the midseason signing of Kevin Braswell (9.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 2.3 steals), who made an immediate impact. With Braswell leading the charge, the Breakers closed out the season with six consecutive wins in their final seven games.

Despite the strong finish, New Zealand narrowly missed out on the playoffs in one of the most competitive NBL seasons ever. The Breakers ended the campaign in fifth place with a 15-13 record, falling just two games short of league leaders Perth.

2009/10
In his second year as a development player, Webster saw more court time, appearing in 10 games. He averaged 2.9 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.6 assists while continuing his development within the Breakers’ system.

During the 2010 offseason, the New Zealand Breakers made significant roster moves, including the re-signing of fan favorite Mika Vukona and the addition of former Utah State standout Gary Wilkinson to strengthen their frontcourt. Kevin Braswell, who had been a key contributor the previous season, was also retained. This year marked a major milestone for Corey Webster, as the 22-year-old was promoted from development player to a full-time roster spot with the Breakers.

The team opened the season without their star guard Kirk Penney, who was pursuing an NBA contract. Though Penney ultimately did not secure a deal, he returned to the Breakers after the first month of play. Despite his absence, the Breakers got off to a hot start, winning their first five games. However, their unbeaten run came to a crashing halt in Round 6 when they suffered a heavy 114–74 defeat to the Perth Wildcats.

Once back in the lineup, Penney (20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game) resumed his role as the team’s primary offensive weapon and finished as New Zealand’s leading scorer for the season. With Penney’s scoring punch and a deep, balanced roster, the Breakers controlled the regular season, finishing atop the NBL standings with an impressive 22–6 record. Now part of the main rotation, Webster contributed in limited minutes, averaging 4.0 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game.

Their top-seeded finish set up a semifinal showdown with the fourth-seeded Perth Wildcats. The series began with a setback as the Wildcats stunned the Breakers on their home floor, but New Zealand responded emphatically, winning two straight games to clinch the series 2–1 and advance to their first-ever NBL Grand Final.

Despite his on-court contributions, Webster’s season ended on a controversial note when he tested positive for synthetic cannabis during the semifinals. It was his second drug-related offense in two years, leading to the termination of his contract with the Breakers.

In the championship series, the Breakers faced off against the Cairns Taipans. New Zealand dominated Game 1, jumping out to a massive 31-point lead in the third quarter en route to an 85–67 victory. Game 2 in Cairns was a nail-biter, with both teams deadlocked at 60–60 at the end of regulation and again at 73–73 after the first overtime. The Taipans ultimately pulled away to win 85–81, setting up a decisive Game 3.

Returning to their home court for the championship decider on April 29, 2011, the Breakers rose to the occasion. With a dominant defensive display, they held Cairns to just 53 points, securing a 71–53 victory and capturing their first-ever NBL Championship. The triumph marked a historic moment as the Breakers became the first New Zealand-based team to win a title in Australian professional sports.

2011/12
The 2011/12 season was a turbulent one for Corey Webster, as his career hit a major roadblock when he tested positive for synthetic cannabis during the previous season’s NBL semifinals. This was his second violation within two years, resulting in a one-year suspension under WADA regulations. The New Zealand Breakers subsequently terminated his $50,000 contract, ruling him out of the entire season.

“It’s an unfortunate situation for Corey, but as a club, this was an action we had to take,” said Breakers General Manager Richard Clarke at the time.

“The second positive test breached the previous agreement between Corey and the club, as well as team protocols and club values. We felt terminating his contract was the most appropriate course of action for all involved.”

While Webster was sidelined, the Breakers entered the season with a retooled roster. Following their first NBL championship win, the team lost their leading scorer Kirk Penney to Europe and suffered a setback when Kevin Braswell sustained an offseason Achilles injury. To fill the void, coach Andrej Lemanis recruited Cedric Jackson as the team’s new point guard and signed Daryl Corletto, who had been released by Melbourne to make way for NBA star Patty Mills.

Despite these changes, New Zealand didn’t miss a beat as defending champions. Jackson (12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.2 steals) dominated in his debut season, leading the league in both assists and steals. With offensive contributions from Gary Wilkinson (16.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) and Thomas Abercrombie (15.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists), the Breakers secured back-to-back first-place finishes with a 21-7 record.

The Breakers went on to became the first team to win back-to-back NBL titles since Sydney’s three-peat (2002-2005). Bruton, who shot 4-of-7 from deep in the decider, was named the Larry Sengstock Medalist as Grand Final MVP.

2012/13
Corey Webster returned to the New Zealand Breakers for the 2012–13 season after serving a 12-month suspension for the use of banned substances. The Breakers were aiming to become just the second team in NBL history to secure a three-peat, and Webster’s return bolstered their depth off the bench. While the team made key offseason moves, including re-signing Cedric Jackson, Leon Henry, Thomas Abercrombie, Dillon Boucher, Mika Vukona, CJ Bruton, and Daryl Corletto, a major decision was made not to re-sign leading scorer Gary Wilkinson, who departed for Europe. Instead, the team elevated promising Kiwi center Alex Pledger into the starting lineup, while import forward Will Hudson (via Gold Coast) was signed as his replacement.

New Zealand had a dominant season, finishing with a league-best 24–4 record while breaking multiple records along the way. Cedric Jackson led the team offensively, averaging 14.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and a league-leading 2.8 steals per game. On November 30, 2012, he recorded his first career triple-double, posting 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Melbourne Tigers. The Breakers also set a franchise-best 15-game winning streak leading into the playoffs.

In addition to Jackson, the Breakers had a well-balanced attack, featuring Thomas Abercrombie (11.2 points, 4.6 rebounds), Alex Pledger (10.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks), Daryl Corletto (9.6 points), and Mika Vukona (8.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists). At the end of the season, Jackson was named NBL MVP and selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Mika Vukona and Thomas Abercrombie earned Second and Third Team honors, respectively. Head coach Andrej Lemanis was named Coach of the Year.

Corey Webster provided valuable contributions off the bench, averaging 7.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. His ability to provide instant offense and perimeter shooting helped the Breakers maintain their momentum, particularly during their extended winning streak.

In the playoffs, New Zealand eliminated the Sydney Kings in two straight games. Abercrombie (15 points) and Jackson (11 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists) led the way in an 81–64 victory in Game 1, while CJ Bruton (21 points) and Pledger (18 points, 12 rebounds) took charge in Game 2 (99–88) to seal the series. The Breakers then faced the Perth Wildcats in a Grand Final rematch. The Wildcats entered the series at a disadvantage, having lost starting guard Damian Martin to an Achilles injury. Brad Robbins was brought out of retirement to fill the void, but it wasn’t enough to stop New Zealand’s momentum.

Webster played his role in the Grand Final as the Breakers swept Perth in two straight games to complete their historic three-peat. Game 1 saw Daryl Corletto explode for 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting in a 79–67 victory. In Game 2, Bruton (16 points) and Jackson (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Breakers to a 70–66 win, securing the championship. Jackson was named Grand Final MVP for his leadership and all-around dominance.

2013/14
After winning three consecutive championships, the New Zealand Breakers entered a transitional phase as head coach Andrej Lemanis departed to lead the Australian Boomers. Assistant coach Dean Vickerman was promoted to head coach and tasked with continuing the team’s championship streak.

Vickerman inherited a roster that had undergone major changes, with star import Cedric Jackson departing for Europe and veteran leader Dillon Boucher retiring. The team struggled early, losing three of their first four games, prompting the Breakers to bring back two-time champion and fan favorite Gary Wilkinson (15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) in late October to help stabilize the squad.

Despite Wilkinson’s return, the Breakers’ struggles continued, and in December, veteran guard CJ Bruton (6.1 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) announced he would retire at the end of the season, just before playing his 500th career game. By January, injuries added to the team’s woes as Alex Pledger (10.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks) was sidelined after playing just 13 games due to persistent injuries. The Breakers signed Casey Frank (5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) as his replacement.

Kerron Johnson (12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals), signed to replace Jackson at point guard, struggled to replicate his predecessor’s impact. His inconsistent shooting limited the team’s offensive spacing, placing more responsibility on Thomas Abercrombie (15.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) to carry the scoring load. However, without Jackson’s playmaking and defensive presence, the Breakers failed to generate momentum and never won more than two consecutive games all season, finishing in seventh place with an 11–17 record, missing the playoffs for the first time in four years.

Despite the disappointing season, the emergence of young guards Corey Webster (8.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) and Reuben Te Rangi (5.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 assists) provided hope for the future, as both delivered career-best scoring seasons and showed potential as key pieces moving forward.

On March 21, 2014, CJ Bruton played his final NBL game in front of a packed Breakers crowd at Vector Arena, finishing with 11 points, 3 assists, and 1 rebound in a loss to Cairns (83–95). His retirement marked the end of an era for the Breakers, as they looked to rebuild toward contention in the seasons ahead.

2014/15
After a dismal season the year prior, where the team missed out on the NBL playoffs despite having won the previous three championships in a row, the New Zealand Breakers regrouped with key roster changes. They replaced imports Kerron Johnson and Gary Wilkinson with big man Ekene Ibekwe and the return of fan favorite Cedric Jackson, who had led the team to back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. This season also saw the exits of veteran CJ Bruton (retired) and Daryl Corletto (to Melbourne), with Rhys Carter (via Adelaide) and Tai Wesley, who qualified as a local under the league’s Asian player rule, brought in as replacements.

The Breakers started the season strong with back-to-back wins over Perth and Adelaide but then suffered consecutive losses to Cairns and Melbourne. However, they quickly found their rhythm, stringing together multiple five-game winning streaks to establish themselves as a serious contender. Jackson (14.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.2 steals) was back in MVP-caliber form, orchestrating the offense and anchoring the defense. Corey Webster thrived in a starting role, averaging 15.3 points per game, cementing himself as one of the league’s elite scorers.

Jackson delivered multiple standout performances throughout the season. He earned Player of the Week honors in Round 10 and recorded his second career triple-double on January 18, 2015, with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists against Melbourne. A few weeks later, he notched another triple-double (11 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists) in a game against Adelaide. He then hit a game-winner against Perth, securing another Player of the Week award in Round 19. Jackson’s season also included one of the most iconic buzzer-beaters in NBL history. In a late-season matchup against the Wildcats, he launched a full-court heave off the backboard as time expired to secure a dramatic double-overtime victory in one of the league’s most unforgettable moments.

New Zealand battled with Perth and Cairns for the top spot all season, ultimately finishing second with a 19–9 record. In the semifinals, the Breakers faced third-seeded Adelaide, who had closed the season on a ten-game winning streak, making them the hottest team in the competition. However, New Zealand dominated Game 1 at Vector Arena, securing a commanding 111–82 victory behind a career-high 24 points from Webster. They maintained control in Game 2, defeating the 36ers 94–83 in Adelaide to advance to the Grand Final.

In the championship series, they faced minor premiers Cairns, the first regional center team to finish atop the standings since 1984. Despite Cairns holding home-court advantage, the Breakers controlled Game 1, winning 86–71 behind Jackson’s 22 points. Game 2 in Auckland was a tightly contested battle, with Taipans guard Scottie Wilbekin tying the game with two free throws in the final seconds of regulation. On the ensuing inbounds play, Ibekwe received the pass, turned, and sank a game-winning fadeaway jumper to give the Breakers an 83–81 victory, securing their fourth NBL title in five seasons.

Jackson (15 points in the final) was named Grand Final MVP for the second time in his career, becoming the first player in NBL history to win three championships in his first three seasons. His leadership, along with the emergence of Webster and Ibekwe’s clutch performances, solidified the Breakers as the league’s dominant force once again.

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2015/16
After winning the 2015 NBL Championship, the New Zealand Breakers retained nearly their entire roster, with only Rhys Carter (to Sydney) and Ekene Ibekwe (to Europe) departing. To replace them, the team signed Australian point guard Shane McDonald and rookie American big man Charles Jackson. However, their preseason was disrupted by several setbacks, including Alex Pledger’s absence due to foot surgery, Thomas Abercrombie’s lingering hamstring injury, and Corey Webster’s departure to trial with the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans. To compensate, the Breakers elevated development players Shea Ili and Tai Wynyard while signing Everard Bartlett as a temporary replacement for Webster.

New Zealand’s season opener resulted in a shocking 90–71 loss to Adelaide. Missing Webster, Abercrombie, and Pledger, the Breakers struggled offensively, with Cedric Jackson (14 points) leading a limited scoring effort. At halftime, the score sat at 51–26 in Adelaide’s favor, marking the team’s second-lowest first-half score and second-largest halftime deficit in franchise history.

Jackson celebrated his 99th NBL game in the next contest with a dominant triple-double (14 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high 14 assists), leading the Breakers to an 89–81 victory over Townsville. His 77.7% win rate (77 wins in 99 games) set a new NBL record. However, in his 100th game, he endured the worst performance of his career, going scoreless (0-of-7 FG) as New Zealand suffered a 96–75 blowout loss to Illawarra.

The Breakers’ season turned around with the return of Webster, who rejoined the team after being waived by the Pelicans. Webster (19.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) immediately re-energised the offense. Duane Bailey was released to make room for him, while Everard Bartlett, initially signed as his replacement, was retained for the rest of the season. Webster’s presence made an instant impact, leading the Breakers to win nine of their next eleven games and improving their record to 10–5 by Round 10.

Despite their midseason resurgence, the Breakers faltered, losing five of their next six games and slipping out of the top four. Webster’s continued scoring ability helped momentarily stabilize the team, and Jackson delivered key individual performances, including a fifth career triple-double (16 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists) on November 8 against Melbourne. Jackson later battled through toe and Achilles issues before bouncing back in February with a season-high 31 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in a dominant 106–84 win over Adelaide. His stat line, which included seven three-pointers, made him the first NBL player to record such numbers since John Rillie in 1998.

Key contributors throughout the season included Webster (19.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists), Thomas Abercrombie (14.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists), Cedric Jackson (12.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals), Tai Wesley (11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists), and Charles Jackson (10.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks). One of Charles Jackson’s standout performances came in a double-overtime loss to Illawarra on January 17, 2016, where he recorded 18 rebounds—including 10 offensive boards—becoming the first Breakers player in history to achieve double-digit offensive rebounds in a game and the first NBL player to do so since Rosell Ellis in 2007.

New Zealand hit their lowest point on January 21, suffering their fifth straight loss—their worst losing streak since the 2008–09 season. However, they responded with a five-game winning streak to close the regular season, finishing fourth with a 16–12 record and narrowly edging out Adelaide for the final playoff spot.

In the semifinals, the Breakers stunned first-placed Melbourne United with a 2–0 series sweep, securing their fifth Grand Final appearance in six years. Facing the Perth Wildcats, New Zealand fell 82–76 in Game 1 as Perth relied on Nathan Jawai’s inside presence and Casey Prather’s strong defense. Back in Auckland for Game 2, the Breakers responded with a gritty 72–68 victory behind Jackson’s near triple-double (13 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists).

The deciding Game 3 in Perth saw 13,090 ‘Red Army’ fans create a hostile atmosphere. The Wildcats overpowered New Zealand with their defense, led by Damian Martin, who kept Jackson scoreless on five shot attempts and forced him to foul out early in the final quarter. Perth cruised to a 75–52 victory, claiming their seventh NBL championship and handing New Zealand their first Grand Final series loss in franchise history.

Webster capped off a stellar individual season by earning All-NBL Second Team honors. He finished as the league’s second-leading scorer with 19.9 points per game, proving himself as one of the competition’s top offensive weapons..

2016/17
Following the Breakers’ 2016 Grand Final loss to Perth, chief executive Richard Clarke and coach Dean Vickerman departed, with Paul Henare stepping up from assistant to take the reins as head coach while Dillon Boucher took control of the front office as general manager. Cedric Jackson (to Melbourne), Tai Wesley (to Melbourne), Charles Jackson, Everard Bartlett, Reuben Te Rangi and Shane McDonald departed, while Corey Webster, Thomas Abercrombie, Alex Pledger and captain Mika Vukona returned. New Zealand brought club legend Kirk Penney (via Illawarra) back to Auckland and added Robert Loe (via Limburg United), Ben Woodside (via Türk Telekom) and Akil Mitchell (via Antibes), while Finn Delany, Shea Ili and Jordan Ngatai were elevated from development player roles and Isaih Tueta joined as an injury replacement for Ili. Webster entered the season after hip and back problems had disrupted his preseason, although he recovered sufficiently to play from Round 1.

New Zealand opened the season against Melbourne at Vector Arena on October 7, where Webster (11 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) came from the bench and made three three-pointers as the Breakers won 76-71. Abercrombie (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Vukona (12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) provided support, while former Breaker Cedric Jackson (14 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists) was Melbourne’s best.

Webster (11.7 points across 15 games) played the first 12 games of the season and started six of them, but persistent physical problems prevented him from reproducing the scoring form which had earned him All-NBL Second Team honours the previous season.

His best game came against Adelaide at Vector Arena on October 29, where Webster (22 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) made 7-of-16 field goals and five of five free throws as New Zealand snapped a three-game losing streak with a 119-93 victory, the highest score recorded by the Breakers since the NBL moved to 40-minute games. Penney (27 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) made seven of eight three-pointers and Mitchell (17 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) controlled the paint, while Nathan Sobey (32 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) was Adelaide’s best.

Another high point came at Perth Arena on November 13 when Woodside’s foot injury and replacement David Stockton not yet being available left Webster handling point guard duties. Webster (20 points, 1 rebound, 7 assists, and 1 steal) took possession with New Zealand trailing by one late in overtime, drove past Matthew Knight and made the game-winning lay-up with 1.4 seconds remaining to give the Breakers an 87-86 victory and end Perth’s 10-game home winning streak. Abercrombie (17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Mitchell (16 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) provided support, while Knight (24 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Perth.

The season then deteriorated for Webster both physically and away from the court. Following the November 27 game against Cairns, he accepted an early guilty plea for unreasonable contact with the face of Travis Trice and was fined $500 without suspension. Days later Webster was arrested and charged with minor assault following an incident in Takapuna, with Webster maintaining his innocence. The Breakers suspended him for one game for a breach of team and club values relating to his recovery and preparation following a road trip. He returned for the next three games, taking his season total to 15 appearances, before New Zealand placed him on an indefinite injury waiver on December 14. The club said foot, knee, hip and back issues had affected him and the congested schedule had provided little opportunity to rehabilitate. “The hip has been an issue for me this season… that has been the pattern all year,” Webster said. After consulting specialists he opted for surgery in January and was ruled out for the remainder of the season, missing New Zealand’s final 12 games.

Webster’s injury led New Zealand to sign Paul Carter (9.1 points and 4.5 rebounds across 11 games) (via Alba Berlin) as his injury replacement, with Carter also providing cover after Abercrombie (11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds across 21 games) fractured his right hand at training and missed seven consecutive games. Woodside (8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.3 steals across 6 games) suffered a serious right-foot injury and was initially replaced by Stockton (8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists across 10 games) (via Cedevita Zagreb), but Stockton then battled a back injury. New Zealand released both Woodside and Stockton in January and signed Kevin Dillard (18.1 points, 4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.6 steals across 9 games) (via Pınar Karşıyaka) for the final nine games. Mitchell (9.5 points and 7.2 rebounds across 25 games) later suffered a serious left-eye injury after an accidental poke while contesting a rebound, had his vision restored at hospital and returned to the United States for specialist treatment, missing the final three games.

Penney (17.4 points and 3.4 rebounds across 28 games) led New Zealand in scoring and was named the Breakers’ club MVP, while Pledger (8.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 28 games), Loe (7.1 points and 3.4 rebounds across 26 games) and Vukona (6.5 points and 5.1 rebounds across 27 games) formed the other major contributors. The arrival of Dillard helped New Zealand recover from an 8-12 record with four consecutive wins, but losses to Cairns and Sydney dropped the Breakers to 12-14 before victories in their final two games kept their postseason hopes alive.

Webster remained sidelined when New Zealand closed the season against Melbourne at the North Shore Events Centre on February 10, with Dillard (16 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Penney (15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) leading the Breakers while Casper Ware (23 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) was Melbourne’s best as New Zealand won 88-70 and finished fifth with a 14-14 record.

2018/19
In 2018, a new regime was brought about at the Breakers organisation. In February, a consortium headed by former NBA player Matt Walsh became the majority shareholders via a newly formed company called Breakers Basketball Ltd, thus ending the 13-year Liz and Paul Blackwell ownership team.

Next came the exodus of four of the franchise’s most long-serving figures during the off-season. Paul Henare’s 15 years as player and coach came to an end, New Zealand’s all-time leading scorer Kirk Penney retired, and Alex Pledger (to Melbourne), Mika Vukona (to Brisbane), and young talent Robert Loe (to Cairns) all signed deals elsewhere.

Thomas Abercrombie would step into the role of captain with Vukona’s exit, and former player Kevin Braswell signed up to be the team’s new head coach. Braswell was tasked with remaking the Breakers squad, which included bringing back Tai Wesley (via Melbourne) and Tall Blacks star Corey Webster (via Europe) on a three-year deal. Jarrad Weeks (via Cairns) and Majok Majok (via Melbourne) were later added to finalise the team’s local roster, while Patrick Richard, Armani Moore, and Shawn Long signed as import players.

Webster returned to the Breakers on May 24 for his third stint with the club after spending the previous season overseas, most recently averaging 15.3 points and 4 assists across 23 games with Ironi Nahariya in Israel before also playing in China. His three-year contract contained no options, with both Webster and the club committed to the full term. The move came 14 months after New Zealand had parted ways with him following an injury-plagued 2016/17 season and off-court issues, with Webster saying his time overseas had allowed him to grow as a person and that being back in Auckland with his son was important to his return. “I’ve got a lot to prove on and off the court.”

The Breakers headed to the USA and faced the Phoenix Suns in a preseason NBLxNBA exhibition game to start their season. Despite being heavy underdogs, New Zealand pushed the Suns to the limit, making a late surge before falling 91-86. Webster (27 points and 7 assists) and Wesley (15 points and 7 rebounds) led the Breakers, while Deandre Ayton (21 points and 15 rebounds) and Trevor Ariza (16 points and 6 assists) led Phoenix.

New Zealand opened the regular season against Brisbane at Spark Arena on October 11, where Webster (23 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) made four three-pointers but the Breakers fell 73-86. Wesley (12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Long (10 points and 7 rebounds) provided support, while Cameron Gliddon (29 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Brisbane.

Webster (10.4 points across 27 games) struggled to reproduce the scoring form that had previously made him one of the NBL’s premier offensive players, recording his lowest scoring average in five seasons while shooting 38 per cent from the field and 35 per cent from three. New Zealand won only four of its first 12 games and endured a five-game losing streak through late November and early December. Webster also withdrew from the Tall Blacks’ November World Cup qualifying window to manage niggling injuries and fatigue after playing almost continuously through Israel, China, and the NBL during 2018. A minor ankle injury later kept him out of the December 21 victory over Illawarra, his only missed Breakers game of the season.

Webster found some of his best early-season form against Cairns at Spark Arena on November 9, scoring 12 points in the opening quarter before Webster (25 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal) finished 10-of-16 from the field and made five three-pointers in a 104-81 win. Richard (21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) provided a major lift off the bench and Long (11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) controlled the paint, while Melo Trimble (23 points) led Cairns.

His best game of the season came one week later against Melbourne in Invercargill, where Webster (31 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) scored 20 points in the first half, made six three-pointers, and shot 11-of-16 from the field. Long (15 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) and Ili (13 points, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided support, but Josh Boone (26 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 5 blocks) led Melbourne to a 108-101 victory.

With both teams eliminated from playoff contention, Webster produced one of his better late-season performances against Illawarra at Wellington’s TSB Arena on February 14. Webster (18 points and 3 assists) made four three-pointers in only 15 minutes as New Zealand scored the highest total in a 40-minute NBL game at the time, defeating the Hawks 130-96. Long (21 points and 8 rebounds) and Weeks (19 points) led the Breakers alongside him, while Daniel Grida (17 points) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Long (18.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks) emerged as New Zealand’s leading scorer, finishing second in the NBL in both rebounding and blocked shots while earning All-NBL Second Team honours and the Breakers Club MVP award. Wesley (14.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) was another consistent contributor, while Richard (11 points and 3.6 rebounds), Weeks (10.1 points), Abercrombie (8.5 points and 5.1 rebounds), Delany (8 points), Ili (7.9 points), and Moore (7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds) rounded out the main rotation. Weeks delivered the best season of his career and finished runner-up for both Best Sixth Man and Most Improved Player, but New Zealand fell to 8-12 in January after three consecutive losses, including a defeat to last-placed Cairns, and was eventually eliminated from playoff contention.

Unlike Wesley, Long, and several other members of the roster who departed after the season, Webster did not exit the Breakers following 2018/19. The three-year deal he had signed before the season left him with another two years under contract, and he remained with New Zealand for the beginning of the 2019/20 campaign.

New Zealand closed the season in Brisbane on February 16, where Webster (4 points) struggled from the field while Long (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Wesley (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Breakers. Lamar Patterson (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) hit a three-pointer with 28 seconds remaining to help Brisbane secure an 84-78 victory and its first playoff appearance since 2008 as New Zealand finished sixth with a 12-16 record.

2019/20
After finishing sixth with a 12-16 record the previous season, New Zealand replaced Kevin Braswell with Dan Shamir as coach and Director of Basketball. Shea Ili (to Melbourne), Shawn Long (to Melbourne) and Tai Wesley (to South East Melbourne) departed, while general manager Dillon Boucher and assistant coach Michael Fitchett also left the club. Rob Loe (via Cairns) returned to New Zealand, RJ Hampton (via Little Elm High School) joined through the NBL’s Next Stars program and imports Scotty Hopson (via Hapoel Holon), Sek Henry (via Pınar Karşıyaka) and Brandon Ashley (via APOEL Nicosia) were added to the roster.

Following an impressive FIBA World Cup campaign with the Tall Blacks, the Breakers guard sought a release from his contract to join Darüşşafaka in Turkey, where his brother Tai was already playing. He offered more than $100,000 towards his own buyout and the Turkish club offered another $25,000, but New Zealand rejected the deal after seeking approximately $250,000 for his release. Reports that co-owner Matt Walsh had described him as the “worst statistical starting shooting guard in the NBL” added to the dispute, although Walsh later clarified the comment related to statistical comparisons from the previous season. “I love the Breakers. The Breakers have been a huge part of my life,” he said while attempting to secure the move.

New Zealand opened its season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on October 18, where Webster (21 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) helped keep the Breakers close before the Kings won 96-91. Hopson (27 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led New Zealand, while Casper Ware (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Sydney.

Webster (19.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 11 games) returned to being one of the league’s leading scorers after averaging only 10.4 points the previous season. Against Illawarra on October 24, Webster (17 points and 6 assists) helped New Zealand record its first win of the season with a 103-72 victory at Spark Arena. Henry (21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) led the Breakers, while Hampton (8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) faced LaMelo Ball (10 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) in front of 16 NBA scouts. The game attracted nearly two million views globally on Facebook, with highlights generating approximately five million views across social media.

Webster’s best game of the season came against Cairns at Spark Arena on October 31, where he made four three-pointers and finished with 23 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals as New Zealand defeated the Taipans 93-85. Hampton (18 points and 3 steals) and Ashley (14 points and 11 rebounds) provided support, while Cameron Oliver (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led Cairns.

Against Perth on November 17, Webster (23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) again led New Zealand, but Bryce Cotton (34 points and 4 assists) carried the Wildcats to an 88-77 victory at RAC Arena. Ashley (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Thomas Abercrombie (12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) provided support for the Breakers.

A week later against Adelaide, Webster (14 points) scored 14 points in the opening quarter before landing awkwardly early in the second quarter and suffering a left ankle injury. He was taken to hospital and did not return as Adelaide defeated New Zealand 117-100, with Henry (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) leading the Breakers after his departure and Eric Griffin (24 points and 4 rebounds) leading the 36ers. The ankle injury forced Webster to miss New Zealand’s next two games against Illawarra and Cairns.

Webster returned against Brisbane on December 9 and immediately led New Zealand to a 96-85 victory, finishing with 23 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. Abercrombie (19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Finn Delany (14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Hopson (14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) provided support, while Lamar Patterson (36 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) led Brisbane. The victory improved New Zealand to 4-9 and proved to be Webster’s final game for the Breakers.

Webster did not play in New Zealand’s December 15 loss to Adelaide and three days later was released from his contract after Zhejiang Guangsha (to China) made a substantial financial offer to secure him for the remainder of the season. As part of the agreement, the Breakers announced Webster had agreed to return the following season on a new two-year deal. When the Chinese season was suspended during the coronavirus outbreak in February, a possible return to the Breakers was discussed, but he did not rejoin the team.

New Zealand had fallen to 4-10 by the time of Webster’s departure, with injuries to Delany, Loe and Hopson also disrupting the first half of the season. Glen Rice Jr (25 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals across 3 games) was signed as an injury replacement for Hopson but was suspended and later released following off-court incidents. Hopson (18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across 21 games), Henry (13.2 points and 3.4 assists across 26 games), Abercrombie (11.8 points and 4.3 rebounds across 28 games), Delany (11.8 points and 5.7 rebounds across 20 games), Ashley (10.5 points and 6.3 rebounds across 28 games), Loe (9.3 points and 4 rebounds across 20 games), Hampton (8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds across 15 games) and Jarrad Weeks (5.6 points across 25 games) carried the Breakers following his departure as New Zealand won 11 of its final 14 games to finish sixth with a 15-13 record and miss the playoffs on points percentage.

2020/21
After finishing sixth with a 15-13 record and missing the playoffs in 2019/20, New Zealand entered Dan Shamir’s second season as head coach without Scotty Hopson (to Melbourne), RJ Hampton (to Denver), Sek Henry (to Turkey), Jordan Ngatai (to Cairns), Brandon Ashley and Ater Majok. Tai Webster (via Galatasaray), Lamar Patterson (via Brisbane), Colton Iverson (via Saint Petersburg), Dan Trist (via South East Melbourne) and Rasmus Bach (via Randers) joined the Breakers alongside development players Kyrin Galloway, Taine Murray and Isaac Davidson. The COVID-19-delayed season forced New Zealand to relocate to Australia and play its first 29 games outside New Zealand, with several designated home games staged in Tasmania.

New Zealand suffered a setback before the season began when Corey Webster put a knife through his left hand while slicing an avocado, severing a nerve leading to his ring finger and requiring surgery. “I’ve severed the nerve that leads down the ring finger, and I have no feeling on the inside,” Webster said. He missed New Zealand’s January 22 opener, a 94-91 overtime loss to Adelaide, while rehabilitating the injury, but passed a fitness test and returned against the 36ers five days later after missing only one game.

Webster (13.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3 assists across 28 games) remained one of New Zealand’s main offensive options despite continuing to have limited feeling in his ring finger following the surgery.

His best game came against Adelaide at the NBL Cup on February 27, where Webster (29 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) made 11-of-20 shots from the field and five three-pointers as New Zealand recorded the biggest win in franchise history, defeating the 36ers 106-62. Tai Webster (29 points and 12 assists) matched his brother’s scoring, while Delany (9 points and 4 rebounds) provided support and Jack McVeigh (20 points and 5 rebounds) led Adelaide, with the 44-point margin ending a run of four consecutive double-digit losses for the Breakers.

Four days later, Webster (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) again led New Zealand as the Breakers defeated Brisbane 97-92 at the State Basketball Centre for their second consecutive win. Tai Webster (19 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Bach (16 points) provided support, while Victor Law (19 points and 10 rebounds) was Brisbane’s best.

Webster’s season was interrupted again when a knee problem forced him out in March. On March 13 he was ruled out for four weeks and missed six consecutive games from March 10 through March 27 before returning against South East Melbourne on April 4. “I feel devastated. I feel like I’m letting the team down and I don’t feel good about it,” said Webster. William McDowell-White (7.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists across 20 games) was signed as a nominated replacement player to cover his absence, while Patterson (10.8 points and 3.7 rebounds across 6 games) remained sidelined by a knee injury before being released (to Brisbane) on March 16 after struggling to reach full fitness. Jeremy Kendle (7 points across 3 games) provided short-term cover before Levi Randolph (via Canton Charge) was signed as Patterson’s replacement, while the Breakers were 4-9 after their first 13 games. Loe (6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds across 17 games) also returned to New Zealand for personal reasons, while Weeks (3.7 points across 18 games) was later released (to Sydney) so he could return home. Webster missed one further game against Perth on May 9 while unavailable through injury, but returned on May 12 and no separate diagnosis was announced, accounting for his eighth and final absence of the season.

Back in New Zealand on May 25, Webster (22 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists) scored 16 of the Breakers’ 29 second-quarter points as New Zealand defeated Adelaide 94-76 at Christchurch Arena. Randolph (17 points and 6 rebounds) and Iverson (14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) provided support, while Daniel Dillon (22 points and 6 assists) led Adelaide.

Tai Webster (17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.2 steals across 29 games) led New Zealand in scoring, while Delany (16.2 points and 6.8 rebounds across 36 games) was the only Breaker to appear in all 36 games, earned All-NBL Second Team honours and was named the club’s MVP. Randolph (14.8 points and 3.4 rebounds across 15 games) provided another scoring option after arriving midseason, while Abercrombie (10.6 points and 3.4 rebounds across 27 games) passed Kirk Penney as the club’s all-time leader in three-pointers and Mika Vukona as New Zealand’s all-time games leader. Iverson (8.8 points and 8.6 rebounds across 36 games) remained a consistent presence inside, while McDowell-White and Loe helped cover the numerous absences throughout the season.

After spending 153 days away from home, New Zealand returned for its final seven games and went 3-4. The Breakers closed the season against South East Melbourne at Trusts Arena on June 5, where Webster (4 points), Tai Webster (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Delany (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) led New Zealand, while Keifer Sykes (29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) carried the Phoenix to an 83-78 win as the Breakers finished eighth with a 12-24 record.

2021/22
Heading into the 2021/22 season, the Breakers decided to prioritize Tai Webster and William McDowell-White at the guard positions, leaving limited opportunities for Corey Webster. On August 20, 2021, Webster exercised a release from his contract, marking the end of his tenure with the team.

2022/23
After missing the playoffs for the first time in 35 years, Scott Morrison stepped down after one season to return to Canada for family reasons, with former Townsville Crocodiles guard John Rillie appointed as Perth’s new head coach on a three-year deal.

Kevin White (to Illawarra) and Matt Hodgson (to Taiwan) departed, while imports Vic Law and Michael Frazier II did not return. Perth re-signed Bryce Cotton for three years, Todd Blanchfield for three years and Jesse Wagstaff for another season, while Kyle Zunic was elevated from development player to the full roster. Corey Webster (via Franklin Bulls), who had originally signed with Perth in 2017 before leaving prior to the season for an overseas opportunity, returned alongside imports TaShawn Thomas (via Le Mans) and Brady Manek (via North Carolina).

Webster signed a two-year contract which included a mutual option following the 2022/23 season, giving Perth another proven perimeter scorer and three-time NBL champion alongside Cotton.

Perth opened the season against Brisbane at RAC Arena on October 2, where Webster (11 points) made his Wildcats debut off the bench. Cotton (23 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals) and Wagstaff (14 points) led a 24-point turnaround, while Devondrick Walker (16 points and 5 rebounds) was Brisbane’s leading scorer as Perth won 87-73.

Webster (14.2 points and 3 rebounds across 29 games) played every Perth game except its October 10 trip to Cairns, when he flew home to New Zealand for family reasons. He returned to training two days later and did not miss any games because of injury. Webster began his first 11 appearances on the bench before being elevated into the starting five in December, finishing the season shooting 39.4 per cent from three-point range.

Webster’s first start came against his former team at Spark Arena on December 3, where an unflattering social-media meme posted by New Zealand provided extra motivation in front of his family and friends. Webster (26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) scored 16 points during the third quarter, including nine consecutive Perth points, while Manek (18 points and 6 rebounds) and Cotton (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) provided support. Barry Brown Jr (27 points) led New Zealand as Perth ended the Breakers’ five-game winning streak with a 92-84 victory.

Webster (20 points and 3 assists) played his 250th NBL game against Melbourne at RAC Arena on December 12, where Perth trailed 89-84 with nine seconds remaining. Blanchfield (8 points and 2 rebounds) made a three-pointer while being fouled, missed the bonus free throw, grabbed his own rebound and found Webster, who made the game-winning three-pointer. Cotton (29 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) led Perth, while Xavier Rathan-Mayes (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Melbourne’s leading scorer as the Wildcats won 90-89, collected their third consecutive victory and improved to 8-7.

The move into the starting lineup helped Webster average 18.2 points across his next six appearances, with Perth winning five of those games and climbing back into the playoff race.

Perth added Corey’s younger brother Tai Webster (via Petkim Spor, 7 points across 8 games) on January 2 for the remainder of the season, reuniting the pair after their previous stints together with New Zealand. Corey Shervill was removed from the Wildcats’ 11-man roster to create room but remained with Perth as a training player.

Consecutive losses to Tasmania (102-94) and Cairns (84-71) left Perth needing to defeat first-placed Sydney by at least 11 points in its final regular-season game to overtake Melbourne and qualify for the postseason.

Webster’s best game came against the Kings at RAC Arena on February 5, where he made 11-of-17 field goals and finished with 26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals without committing a turnover. Travers (22 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Manek (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) provided support after Sydney held Cotton to seven points, while Dejan Vasiljevic (18 points and 7 rebounds) led the Kings. Perth won 96-84, securing the required margin by one point to finish sixth with a 15-13 record and qualify for the inaugural play-in tournament.

Cotton (23.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.6 steals) led the NBL in scoring, finished second in MVP voting, earned All-NBL First Team selection and received Perth’s club MVP award. Thomas (13.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists), Manek (13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds), Travers (9.7 points and 5.7 rebounds) and Mitch Norton (5.1 points) formed the Wildcats’ other main contributors. Perth finished with the league’s highest offensive rating and ranked second in scoring at 92.1 points per game, but recorded the worst defensive rating and ranked last in rebounding at 33.5 per game.

The Play-In Qualifier moved to John Cain Arena on February 9, where Perth trailed South East Melbourne for most of the game before outscoring the Phoenix 41-23 in the fourth quarter. Webster (12 points and 3 rebounds), Cotton (26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals), Manek (24 points) and Thomas (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) led the Wildcats, while Mitchell Creek (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), Gary Browne (20 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Alan Williams (16 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne as Perth won 106-99.

Perth then faced Cairns at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 12 without Tai Webster because of illness, while the Taipans entered without Keanu Pinder and Tahjere McCall. DJ Hogg (32 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks) set a Cairns playoff scoring record, with Bul Kuol (23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Sam Waardenburg (15 points and 10 rebounds) providing support. Cotton (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists), Thomas (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Webster (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Manek (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth as Cairns won 91-78.

2023/24
After finishing sixth with a 15-13 record and being eliminated by Cairns during the 2023 play-in tournament, Perth reshaped its roster for John Rillie’s second season as head coach. Luke Travers (to Melbourne), Todd Blanchfield (to Illawarra), Mitch Norton (to Brisbane), TaShawn Thomas and Brady Manek departed, while Rillie added Keanu Pinder (via Cairns), Hyrum Harris (via Adelaide), David Okwera (via Melbourne), rookie Ben Henshall, Next Star Alexandre Sarr and imports Jordan Usher and Kristian Doolittle.

In April, Webster re-signed with Perth on a two-year deal with a team option on the second season after averaging 14.2 points in his first year with the Wildcats. Rillie expected his scoring and experience to remain important as Perth moved towards a younger roster.

“Where Corey really separates himself in the NBL is that he can go and get a bucket when necessary, and I will always rely on him to bring a great spirit to our group, whether at practice or on Game Day.”

Webster’s best scoring game came on opening night at RAC Arena on September 29, where he started in place of the injured Tai Webster and finished with 16 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in 26 minutes as Perth defeated Tasmania 101-95. Usher (35 points and 3 rebounds) set a Wildcats debut scoring record and Cotton (21 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) provided support, while Jack McVeigh (22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) led Tasmania.

Webster (6.1 points across 20 games) began the season strongly, reaching double figures in five of Perth’s first seven games before a lingering ankle injury severely reduced his availability and playing time through the middle and latter parts of the campaign.

One of his best all-round games came against Melbourne at RAC Arena on October 13, where Webster (12 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) provided scoring and playmaking as Perth fell 88-81. Pinder (25 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Usher (20 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal) led the Wildcats, while Ian Clark (18 points and 4 rebounds) was one of Melbourne’s leading scorers.

Webster (14 points) remained productive against Adelaide on October 21, shooting 6-of-10 from the field and 2-of-3 from three as Perth lost 89-78. Pinder (17 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Tai Webster (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support, while Isaac Humphries (26 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Adelaide.

The ankle problem increasingly restricted Webster after October and eventually kept him out for extended stretches. He returned against South East Melbourne on January 13 after not playing since December 15, but remained in a reduced role before declaring himself fully recovered ahead of the semifinals.

“It’s been a struggle with my injury this year, it’s been kind of an ongoing one but… I’m ready to go now and back to 100 per cent,” Webster said.

Cotton (22.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals) led Perth offensively and claimed his fourth NBL MVP award, while Pinder (13.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals) provided the second scoring option. Usher (12.3 points and 3.4 rebounds), Sarr (9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks), Doolittle (9 points and 6.7 rebounds), Tai Webster (8.9 points), Wagstaff (6.5 points and 3 rebounds) and Harris (5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds) rounded out the main rotation. Doolittle received Perth’s Andrew Vlahov Medal as Best Defensive Player and Harris was named Most Improved as the Wildcats recovered from a 2-5 start to finish second with a 17-11 record.

Perth opened its semifinal series against Tasmania at RAC Arena on March 8, where Webster (2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block) played eight minutes as Pinder (25 points and 7 rebounds), Cotton (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Usher (11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led the Wildcats to an 89-81 victory. Jordon Crawford (19 points and 3 assists), McVeigh (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Marcus Lee (16 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Tasmania.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where Webster (5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist), Cotton (26 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) and Doolittle (20 points and 9 rebounds) led Perth, while Milton Doyle (24 points and 6 rebounds), McVeigh (22 points and 5 rebounds) and Majok Deng (18 points and 5 rebounds) helped Tasmania win 102-94 and force a deciding game.

Game three returned to RAC Arena, where Webster (8 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, and 1 block) played 18 minutes in his biggest role of the series as Cotton (21 points and 4 rebounds) and Harris (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Perth. McVeigh (27 points and 6 rebounds), Doyle (24 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) and Will Magnay (18 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) carried Tasmania to a 100-84 victory.

Following the season, Perth declined the team option on Webster’s contract, ending his Wildcats stint after 49 games across two seasons.

“Corey’s leadership, veteran experience and scoring ability has been a valued asset for the team the last two seasons, and he was a true professional and leader throughout his time with the organisation,” Wildcats General Manager of Basketball Operations Danny Mills said.

Corey Webster played thirteen seasons in the NBL, playing for both the New Zealand Breakers and the Perth Wildcats. He averaged 11.1 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 287 NBL games.