NICKNAME/S: The Grown Man

BIO: Born in Auckland, Tai Jack Webster attended Westlake Boys High School where he led them to the National Secondary Schools Basketball Championships in October 2012, scoring 24 points en route to garnering tournament MVP honours.

While attending Westlake, he played basketball for the North Harbour juniors; from 2010 to 2012, he played for the North Harbour U17s, U19s and U21s.

In August 2012, Webster joined the New Zealand Breakers as a development player for the 2012/13 NBL season. At 16 years of age, Tai Webster remains one of the youngest players to have ever played in the NBL.

FAMILY: Tai’s brother, Corey Webster also played 286 games in the NBL. Webster is the son of Tony and Cherry Webster. His father, Tony, was a standout basketball player at the University of Hawaii, where he earned First Team All-WAC honors in 1983 and finished his collegiate career ranked fourth on Hawaii’s all-time steals list before continuing his professional career in New Zealand.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Tai Webster made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 17 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Tai Webster began his professional basketball career by signing a development player contract with the New Zealand Breakers for the 2012/13 NBL season. During this season, he signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball at the University of Nebraska, solidifying his future in basketball at both the professional and collegiate levels. Despite limited playing opportunities, Webster made a significant start to his career by winning an NBL championship in his debut season.

Webster appeared in six games, averaging 1 point, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. His role as a development player was primarily to gain experience alongside a championship-caliber team. The Breakers extended their record for consecutive wins to 15 games during the season and became the first team in NBL history to complete a clean sweep of the playoffs, culminating in a Grand Final victory over the Perth Wildcats. Webster’s contribution during thistoric season was invaluable in preparing him for the challenges of professional basketball.

Led by Cedric Jackson (14.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 2.8 steals) and Thomas Abercrombie (11.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists), the Breakers finished the regular season with a league-best 24-4 record. Jackson was named league MVP and Grand Final MVP, as New Zealand secured a historic three-peat by defeating Perth in two straight games in the Grand Final series. Webster’s early exposure to high-level competition would prove foundational in his career.

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. The Breakers added Lamar Patterson (via Brisbane), Colton Iverson (via Saint Petersburg), Dan Trist (via South East Melbourne), Rasmus Bach (via Randers) and development players Kyrin Galloway, Taine Murray and Isaac Davidson, while the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the season until January and forced the club to relocate to Australia, with designated home games later played in Tasmania and their first 29 games played outside New Zealand.

Tai Webster returned to the Breakers on a one-year deal (via Galatasaray), his first NBL season since appearing as a development player with New Zealand’s 2013 championship team before leaving for Nebraska. The move also gave him the opportunity to play alongside older brother Corey. “That was my favourite player growing up, I wanted nothing more to be him, be like him, and play with him,” said Webster. New Zealand’s plans were immediately disrupted when Corey sliced a nerve in his hand while cutting an avocado and missed the opening month.

New Zealand opened its season against Adelaide at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on January 22, where Webster (34 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) produced his best scoring game of the season in his first NBL appearance in almost eight years, while Delany (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Patterson (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) provided support. Isaac Humphries (24 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 blocks) led Adelaide to a 94-91 overtime win.

Webster (17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.2 steals across 29 games) led New Zealand in scoring and handled much of the team’s playmaking load. The Breakers won only one of their first seven games before winning three of their next four to reach 4-7, before two losses dropped them to 4-9 after 13 games.

His best game came against Brisbane at Nissan Arena on March 27, where Webster (27 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) led New Zealand to an 81-76 overtime win which ended a four-game losing streak. Bach (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) provided a major lift, Iverson (10 points, 20 rebounds, and 2 blocks) tied the Breakers’ franchise record with 20 rebounds, while Anthony Drmic (25 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.

Patterson (10.8 points and 3.7 rebounds across 6 games) suffered a knee injury against Illawarra on February 22 after struggling to reach full fitness and was released (to Brisbane) in March. “Lamar got to us 12 days before game one, and unfortunately, he was not in top shape to play,” said Shamir. Jeremy Kendle (7 points across 3 games) was brought in on a short-term deal before Levi Randolph (14.8 points and 3.4 rebounds across 15 games) joined (via Canton Charge) as Patterson’s replacement, ending Kendle’s stint. William McDowell-White (7.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists across 20 games) also joined as a nominated replacement player for the injured Corey.

Injuries and personal issues continued to disrupt New Zealand. Corey Webster (13.4 points and 3.2 rebounds across 28 games) returned from his hand injury before a knee problem sidelined him for another four weeks, while Robert Loe (6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds across 17 games) returned to New Zealand for personal reasons and the captain also missed nine games. Jarrad Weeks (3.2 points across 26 games) was mutually released after 18 appearances for the Breakers so he could return home to his family before finishing the season with Sydney. Tai then suffered what was initially reported as a calf strain before the April 10 game against Melbourne, with the injury later described as an Achilles issue. He missed seven consecutive games from April 10 through April 28, his only absences of the season, before returning on May 1. “It tells you all about him and his greatness, in all honesty,” said Shamir.

Delany (16.2 points and 6.8 rebounds across 36 games) increased his scoring from 12.2 points the previous season, was named the Breakers’ club MVP and earned All-NBL Second Team honours. Captain Abercrombie (10.6 points and 3.4 rebounds across 27 games) was named the club’s Best Defensive Player and finished runner-up for the NBL’s Damian Martin Trophy, while also passing Kirk Penney as New Zealand’s all-time leader in three-pointers and Mika Vukona as the club’s games record holder. Iverson (8.8 points and 8.6 rebounds across 36 games) remained one of New Zealand’s most consistent interior players, while Randolph and McDowell-White provided important midseason additions.

The Breakers finally returned to New Zealand for their final seven games and went 3-4 over that stretch. New Zealand closed the season against South East Melbourne at Trusts Arena on June 5, where Webster (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals), Delany (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Iverson (10 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led the Breakers, while Keifer Sykes (29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) carried the Phoenix to an 83-78 win as New Zealand finished eighth with a 12-24 record.

2021/22
On 11 July 2021, Webster re-signed with the Breakers on a two-year deal. However after refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine and therefor unable to travel to Australia, the Breakers and Webster agreed to a mutual release on 20 September 2021. Webster then signed to play with Lithuanian club Žalgiris Kaunas on November 2, 2021. It is understood to be the first case of a Kiwi professional athlete being unable to fulfil his contract because of a vaccination decision.

PERTH WILDCATS
2022/23
After missing the playoffs for the first time in 35 years, Perth entered the season under new leadership when Scott Morrison stepped down after one year to return to Canada for family reasons and former Townsville Crocodiles guard John Rillie was appointed head coach on a three-year deal. Kevin White (to Illawarra), Matt Hodgson (to Taiwan), Vic Law (free agent), Michael Frazier II (free agent) and Jack Purchase (free agent) departed, while Bryce Cotton (re-signed), Todd Blanchfield (re-signed), Jesse Wagstaff (re-signed) and Kyle Zunic (elevated from development player) returned. Corey Webster (via Franklin Bulls), TaShawn Thomas (via Le Mans), Brady Manek (via North Carolina), Michael Harris and Jack Andrew were added.

With Perth sitting fifth with a 10-8 record and ten regular-season games remaining, Tai Webster (via Petkim Spor) signed for the remainder of NBL23 with a mutual option for the following season. Webster had reached a release agreement with his Turkish club before Perth acquired his NBL rights from New Zealand, allowing him to reunite with his older brother Corey. Corey Shervill (released) was removed from the 11-man roster but remained with the Wildcats as a training player. The new signing attended Perth’s January 4 game against New Zealand but did not play after only joining the club the previous day.

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

“When you have the ability to add a good, talented local player to your NBL roster it’s always something you have to visit. 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,” Rillie said.

Tai (9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) made his Wildcats debut in the starting lineup against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on January 7. Corey Webster (22 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists), Cotton (22 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Thomas (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Perth, while Xavier Cooks (24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks) was Sydney’s best as the Kings won 108-87.

Webster (7 points and 2.5 rebounds across 8 games) started his first five appearances and provided Perth with another ball-handler during its late-season playoff push. He played seven regular-season games and one play-in game after joining midway through the campaign.

Webster’s season-high scoring game came against New Zealand at RAC Arena on January 10, where he finished with 11 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists. Thomas (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists), Corey Webster (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Manek (15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Perth, while Dererk Pardon (28 points and 12 rebounds) was New Zealand’s best as the Wildcats won 93-90 and moved from seventh to fifth.

Webster’s best game came during the NBL’s first open-air game at RAC Arena on January 14, where he finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal without committing a turnover. Cotton (23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals), Manek (23 points and 10 rebounds), Corey Webster (17 points and 5 assists) and Thomas (17 points and 6 rebounds) led Perth, while Robert Franks (25 points and 5 rebounds) and Antonius Cleveland (23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) were Adelaide’s best as the Wildcats won 112-97.

Webster (9 points, 1 assist, and 1 steal) injured his hamstring during Perth’s January 22 loss to South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena. Cotton (25 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), Corey Webster (21 points and 3 rebounds) and Luke Travers (13 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Perth, while Alan Williams (27 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists), Ryan Broekhoff (26 points and 5 rebounds) and Mitchell Creek (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists) carried the Phoenix to a 112-91 win. Scans confirmed damage to the hamstring, ruling Webster out against Illawarra and Tasmania and leaving him needing to play Perth’s final two regular-season games to qualify for the postseason.
“Right now it’s day to day. Hamstring injuries are a little fickle,” Rillie said.

? TEAM UPDATE ?

Mitch Norton returns to the lineup tomorrow night to face Illawarra Hawks.

Tai Webster (hamstring) will suit up for tomorrow’s game but will not be taking the court. pic.twitter.com/kYp2gMTXYt

— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) January 26, 2023

Webster (1 point, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) returned against Cairns at RAC Arena on February 3 after missing two games with the hamstring injury. Cotton (28 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists), Thomas (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Manek (12 points) led Perth, while Bul Kuol (15 points and 9 rebounds), DJ Hogg (14 points) and Majok Deng (14 points and 11 rebounds) helped Cairns win 84-71, leaving the Wildcats needing to defeat Sydney by at least 11 points in the final round.

Webster (0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal) played 14 minutes against Sydney at RAC Arena on February 5, completing the seven appearances needed to qualify for the postseason. Corey Webster (26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Travers (22 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Manek (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) carried Perth after Sydney held Cotton to seven points, while Dejan Vasiljevic (18 points and 7 rebounds) led the Kings. Perth won 96-84, secured the required margin by one point and finished sixth with a 15-13 record.

Cotton (23.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.6 steals across 30 games) led the NBL in scoring, finished second in MVP voting, earned All-NBL First Team selection and received Perth’s club MVP award. Corey Webster (14.2 points and 3 rebounds across 29 games), Thomas (13.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 28 games), Manek (13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds across 30 games), Travers (9.7 points and 5.7 rebounds across 29 games), Norton (5.1 points across 28 games) and Wagstaff (5 points across 30 games) were Perth’s other major contributors. Travers received Perth’s Best Defensive Player award, while Harris was named Most Improved Player. The Wildcats finished with the NBL’s highest offensive rating and ranked second in scoring at 92.1 points per game, but recorded the league’s 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 Webster (8 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal) contributed off the bench as Perth recovered from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit and outscored South East Melbourne 41-23 during the final period. 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 Creek (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), Gary Browne (20 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Williams (16 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 steals) led the Phoenix as Perth won 106-99.

Webster was ruled out through illness when Perth faced Cairns at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 12, while the Taipans entered without Keanu Pinder because of a serious facial injury and Tahjere McCall because of a shoulder injury. Hogg (32 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks), Kuol (23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Sam Waardenburg (15 points and 10 rebounds) led Cairns, while Cotton (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists), Thomas (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Corey Webster (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Manek (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists) were Perth’s best as the Taipans won 91-78.

2023/24
After finishing sixth with a 15-13 record and being eliminated by Cairns in the 2023 play-in tournament, Perth entered John Rillie’s second season looking to return to the semifinals after missing them in consecutive years. 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. Bryce Cotton, Jesse Wagstaff and Corey Webster returned.

Webster had joined Perth with six regular-season games remaining in 2022/23 after leaving Petkim Spor in Turkey and reuniting with older brother Corey. After the mutual option on his original contract was not taken up, Webster signed a new two-year deal on April 21 with a team option for the second season, giving him his first full campaign under Rillie.

Perth opened at RAC Arena on September 29, where Webster (2 assists) started and played nine minutes before suffering a lower-leg injury late in the Wildcats’ 101-95 win over Tasmania. 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. The injury kept Webster out of Perth’s next two games.

Webster (8.9 points across 28 games) returned to become a regular starter and gave Perth another primary ball-handler, allowing the Wildcats to use their leading scorer away from the ball more often. He shot 46 per cent from the field and became an important part of Perth’s turnaround after a 2-5 start, with the Wildcats winning 13 of their next 15 games.

Webster produced his first 20-point game of the season against South East Melbourne at RAC Arena on January 13, finishing with 20 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal as Perth won 100-79 for its fourth consecutive victory. Cotton (34 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Pinder (13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block) provided support, while Mitch Creek (36 points and 7 rebounds) led the Phoenix.

Webster’s best game of the season came against Brisbane on January 19, where he shot 8-of-11 from the field and finished with 20 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal without committing a turnover as Perth defeated the Bullets 118-86 at RAC Arena for its fifth straight win. Cotton (28 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) and Pinder (15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the Wildcats alongside him, while Tyrell Harrison (16 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks) was Brisbane’s best.

Two days later, Webster (16 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) continued his strong form as Perth defeated Sydney 104-98 at Qudos Bank Arena for its sixth consecutive win. Cotton (29 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals) and Usher (24 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led Perth, while Jaylen Adams (29 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal) was Sydney’s leading scorer. Across the three-game stretch, Webster averaged 18.7 points, 5 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 68.6 per cent from the field and 41.7 per cent from three.

Cotton (22.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals across 30 games) led Perth offensively and collected his fourth NBL MVP award, an All-NBL First Team selection and a record-equalling sixth Gordon Ellis Medal. Pinder (13.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals across 31 games) finished second in club MVP voting, while Usher (12.3 points and 3.4 rebounds across 31 games), Sarr (9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 27 games), Doolittle (9 points and 6.7 rebounds across 29 games), Wagstaff (6.5 points and 3 rebounds across 28 games), Corey Webster (6.1 points across 20 games) and Harris (5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds across 30 games) were the other main contributors. Doolittle received the Andrew Vlahov Medal as Perth’s Best Defensive Player, Harris was named Most Improved and Tai Webster finished fourth in Gordon Ellis Medal voting as Perth finished second with a 17-11 record.

Perth opened its semifinal series against Tasmania at RAC Arena on March 8, where Webster (5 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal), Pinder (25 points and 7 rebounds) and Cotton (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) helped the Wildcats win 89-81. Jordon Crawford (19 points and 3 assists), McVeigh (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Marcus Lee (16 points and 3 rebounds) led Tasmania. Webster clutched at his leg late in the fourth quarter but recovered in time for game two.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where Webster (9 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists), 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 (9 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block), Cotton (21 points and 4 rebounds) and Harris (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Perth, while McVeigh (27 points and 6 rebounds), Doyle (24 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) and Will Magnay (18 points and 9 rebounds) carried Tasmania to a 100-84 win.

2024/25
Perth entered NBL25 after falling to Tasmania in the previous season’s semifinals, farewelling Alexandre Sarr (to Washington), Jordan Usher (to France), Corey Webster (to Auckland) and Kyle Zunic (to Keilor). John Rillie returned for his third season as head coach and retained captain Jesse Wagstaff, Bryce Cotton, Keanu Pinder, Kristian Doolittle, Tai Webster, Hyrum Harris, Ben Henshall and David Okwera, while adding Elijah Pepper (via UC Davis), Next Star Izan Almansa (via G League Ignite) and Dylan Windler (via Atlanta). Michael Harris was elevated from the development roster, with Dontae Russo-Nance and Thomas Gerovich filling the development positions.

Perth exercised the team option on Webster’s contract in April 2024, bringing him back for the second season of the one-plus-one deal he signed with the Wildcats in 2023.

Perth opened the season against South East Melbourne during HoopsFest at RAC Arena on September 20, where Webster (4 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) started as the Wildcats won 106-98. Pinder (29 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Cotton (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth, while Jordan Hunter (19 points and 7 rebounds) was the Phoenix’s best.

Webster (8.3 points across 16 games) provided another ball-handler and scorer across both guard positions, but his campaign was repeatedly interrupted. Calf and adductor complaints cost him several early games before a hamstring injury suffered during December ruled him out for six weeks. Todd Withers (via Warwick; 5.8 points across 14 games) was also added as a nominated replacement player during the season as injuries tested Perth’s depth.

Webster’s best regular-season scoring game came against his former team New Zealand at Spark Arena on October 19, where he made 6-of-11 field goals and all eight free throws to finish with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal. Cotton left with a rib injury after just over two minutes, leaving Webster to carry the backcourt alongside Doolittle (15 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Henshall (13 points and 5 rebounds), but Matt Mooney (28 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) led the Breakers to an 89-85 win.

Webster produced another strong performance against Tasmania at RAC Arena on November 7, finishing with 14 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal as Perth responded from its previous loss with an 88-82 victory. Doolittle (18 points and 11 rebounds) and Pepper (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while Milton Doyle (30 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) was Tasmania’s leading scorer.

After recovering from his hamstring injury, Webster returned against South East Melbourne at RAC Arena on January 31, giving Perth its first full roster since November 17. Webster (8 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and 1 steal) helped the Wildcats recover from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 100-99, with Cotton (29 points and 6 assists) and Pinder (22 points and 7 rebounds) leading Perth while Matt Hurt (19 points and 7 rebounds) was the Phoenix’s best. Webster remained available for the final seven games of the season, with Rillie saying, “He is integral to our success,” when discussing the different pace he brought to Perth’s backcourt.

Cotton (28.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across 24 games) led the league in scoring and won his fifth Andrew Gaze Trophy, another Fans’ MVP award and an All-NBL First Team selection. Pinder (15.1 points and 6.3 rebounds across 25 games), Doolittle (14 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists across 24 games) and Windler (11.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 24 games) formed Perth’s other leading group, while Henshall (9.8 points and 3.1 rebounds across 28 games), Almansa (7.6 points and 4.2 rebounds across 29 games) and Pepper (7.5 points across 29 games) completed the main rotation. Cotton received the Gordon Ellis Medal as club MVP, Doolittle won the Players’ Player and Best Defensive Player awards, Henshall was named Most Improved and Michael Harris received the Coaches’ Award.

Perth closed the regular season against Adelaide at RAC Arena on February 7, where Webster (9 points and 1 rebound) contributed off the bench as the Wildcats won 112-104. Cotton (49 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) and Pinder (18 points and 11 rebounds) led Perth, while Kendric Davis (34 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists) was Adelaide’s best as the Wildcats finished third with an 18-11 record.

The postseason opened against South East Melbourne at the Perth High Performance Centre, where Webster (2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played 12 minutes as Perth won 122-105. Pinder (35 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), Cotton (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Doolittle (20 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Wildcats, while Angus Glover (25 points and 2 steals), Hurt (24 points and 3 steals) and Nathan Sobey (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) were South East Melbourne’s best.

The semifinal series opened at John Cain Arena, where Webster (4 points) left with a shoulder injury after playing 11:20. Pinder (24 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists), Doolittle (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Cotton (22 points and 6 assists) led Perth, while Chris Goulding (41 points), Ian Clark (22 points) and Jack White (13 points and 10 rebounds) carried Melbourne to a 105-93 victory.

Despite the shoulder problem, Webster (13 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) returned for game two at RAC Arena and provided an important scoring lift during the fourth quarter. Windler (27 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks), Cotton (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Doolittle (17 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists) helped Perth recover from a 20-point deficit to win 96-89, while Goulding (15 points), Matthew Dellavedova (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 12 assists), White (13 points and 6 rebounds) and Clark (13 points) led Melbourne.

Game three returned to John Cain Arena, where Doolittle (37 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Cotton (33 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals), Pinder (15 points and 5 rebounds) and Windler (13 points and 7 rebounds) kept Perth within reach, while Clark (38 points), Goulding (30 points and 4 rebounds), White (15 points and 9 rebounds) and Dellavedova (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 11 assists) led Melbourne. Wagstaff (3 points and 4 rebounds) tied the scores with a three-pointer with 2.9 seconds remaining, but Henshall (9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) was called for a foul on Goulding with 0.8 seconds left. Goulding made the first free throw and deliberately missed the second as Melbourne won 113-112 and took the series 2-1, with Webster (2 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, and 2 steals) playing 16:33 in the loss.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
2025/26
Following a 10-19 season that left New Zealand ninth and outside the playoffs, the Breakers entered 2025/26 without Matt Mooney, Jonah Bolden (to Illawarra), Mojave King (to Cairns), Grant Anticevich (to Belgium), Freddie Gillespie (to Turkey), Tacko Fall (to China), Tai Wynyard, Dane Pineau (retired) and Mitch McCarron (retired), while Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Sam Mennenga, Karim Lopez, Max Darling, Sean Bairstow and Carlin Davison remained from the previous season.

Coach Petteri Koponen returned for a second season and added Reuben Te Rangi (via Tasmania), Izayah Le’Afa (via Sydney), Rob Loe (via Melbourne), Taylor Britt (via Canterbury), imports Izaiah Brockington (via Vancouver) and Rob Baker II (via Germany), with Jack Andrew and Liam Judd joining as development players.

With Le’Afa (3.5 points across 15 games) ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a stress fracture in his foot, former Breakers guard Tai Webster (via JL Bourg) returned home as New Zealand’s nominated injury replacement player in December. The Auckland guard joined for the remainder of the season, initially covering for Max Darling, who was sidelined for six weeks. A subsequent injury to Izaya Le’Afa forced a change, with Webster instead replacing Le’Afa for the remainder of the period.

Webster (5 points and 2 rebounds) made his return against Tasmania at Spark Arena on December 6, playing 10 minutes off the bench as New Zealand defeated the JackJumpers 99-86, with Brockington (22 points) and Baker (18 points and 9 rebounds) leading the Breakers, while Bryce Hamilton (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists) was Tasmania’s best. The victory was New Zealand’s third in succession and moved the team into sixth place with a 7-10 record.

Webster (7.1 points and 3.1 rebounds across 16 games) came off the bench in every appearance, providing pace, defensive pressure and another option at both guard positions, with his minutes increasing as injuries affected New Zealand’s rotation late in the season.

With Lopez, Mennenga and Baker sidelined against South East Melbourne on February 5, Webster (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) produced his strongest all-around performance of the season, while Brockington (19 points and 3 rebounds) and Jackson-Cartwright (15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) also contributed before the depleted Breakers were overwhelmed in the second half of a 114-83 loss. Ian Clark (23 points) was the Phoenix’s leading scorer as New Zealand fell to 11-19.

Webster’s best scoring game came two days later at Spark Arena, where he finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block in 25 minutes as the Breakers defeated defending champion Illawarra 106-95. Brockington (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Jackson-Cartwright (23 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists) led New Zealand, while Tyler Harvey (19 points and 5 assists) was Illawarra’s best as the Breakers improved to 12-19 and kept their play-in hopes alive.

Jackson-Cartwright (17.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.8 steals across 34 games) and Mennenga (17.8 points and 6.8 rebounds across 28 games) became New Zealand’s two leading offensive players, while Brockington (16.1 points and 3.8 rebounds across 33 games), Lopez (11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 31 games), Baker (10 points and 4.8 rebounds across 25 games) and Te Rangi (6.8 points across 34 games) were the other main contributors.

Mennenga won the NBL’s Next Generation Award, while Jackson-Cartwright received the club MVP and Members’ Choice awards and Brockington was named the Breakers’ Defensive Player of the Year.

A calf strain ruled Webster out of New Zealand’s last regular-season game against Cairns on February 19, where Mennenga (32 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Jackson-Cartwright (19 points and 13 assists) led the Breakers to a 115-84 victory, while Andrew Andrews (24 points and 7 assists) was Cairns’ best. New Zealand finished seventh with a 13-20 record and missed the NBL postseason.

The Breakers’ 3-1 Ignite Cup record earned them a place in the inaugural final against Adelaide at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on February 22, where Jackson-Cartwright (29 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Mennenga (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), Brockington (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals), Te Rangi (17 points and 8 rebounds) and Lopez (12 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) led New Zealand, while Bryce Cotton (34 points, 3 rebounds, and 9 assists), Zylan Cheatham (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals) and Nick Rakocevic (21 points and 11 rebounds) were Adelaide’s best. Jackson-Cartwright was named Ignite Cup MVP. Webster missed the final with a calf strain as New Zealand defeated Adelaide 111-107 to claim the inaugural Ignite Cup and $300,000.

Tai Webster currently plays for the New Zealand Breakers and has played 103 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 10.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3 assists since entering the league in 2012.

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