BIO: Born in Orem, Utah to a Rotuman father, Hiagi, and a American mother, Susan, Wesley lived in Guam from age five to age eleven when his father worked at the University of Guam.

Wesley attended Provo High School in Provo, Utah. As a senior in 2003/04, he averaged 16.7 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal per game. He was named tournament MVP after he led Provo to the state title while averaging 19.3 points in four games. He was later named Mr. Basketball in the state of Utah by the Deseret News and the 4A Most Valuable Player by the Salt Lake Tribune.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Tai Wesley made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 28 years of age. He scored five points in his first game.

After a dismal season the year prior, where the team missed out on the NBL playoffs despite having won the previous three seasons in a row, the Breakers regrouped by replacing imports Kerron Johnson and Gary Wilkinson with big man Ekene Ibekwe and fan favourite Cedric Jackson, who had led the team to back-to-back titles previously (2012, 2013).

This season saw the exits of CJ Bruton (retired) and Daryl Corletto (to Melbourne) and replaced with Rhys Carter (via Adelaide) and Tai Wesley, who qualified as a local player due to being born in Guam under the league’s Asian player rule.

The Breakers kickstarted the season with back-to-back wins over Perth and Adelaide before suffering back-to-back losses to Cairns and Melbourne. In what was a highly competitive season, New Zealand was able to reel off multiple five game winning streaks behind the offensive talent of both Jackson (14.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.2 steals) and Corey Webster (15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists), who moved into the starting lineup and become one of the league’s premier scorers.

Wesley would average 8.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists as the Breakers battled all season long for top spot alongside Perth and Cairns, eventually finishing in second place (19–9).

in the semifinals, New Zealand would face third-placed Adelaide, who had won their final ten regular season games and entered the playoffs as the hottest team in the competition. Despite the 36ers’ hot form, the Breakers made light work of them in game one (111–82), with Webster (24 points) delivering a career-high scoring effort at Vector Arena. Game two then moved to Adelaide, where they again had the upper hand the entire game, defeating the 36ers (94–83) and moving on to the Grand Final.

There, they met the Cairns Taipans, who had become the first regional centre team to win the minor premiership since the Geelong Cats did so in 1984. Despite Cairns having home-court advantage, New Zealand easily claimed game one (86–71), with Jackson (22 points) top scoring. Game two shifted to Auckland, where after a tight contest the entire game, Taipans guard Scottie Wilbekin tied the game behind two free throws with 1.2 seconds left in regulation. Coming out of a timeout, Ibekwe caught a inbounds pass, turned and hit a game-winning fade-away shot to lift the Breakers over the Taipans (83–81) and clinch New Zealand’s fourth title in five seasons.

Jackson (15 points) claimed his third championship and second Grand Final MVP award, becoming the first player in NBL history to win three NBL championships from his first three seasons.

2015/16
After claiming their fourth NBL championship in five years, New Zealand retained Dean Vickerman as coach and most of its title-winning roster, with Rhys Carter (to Sydney) and Ekene Ibekwe (to Europe) departing. Australian guard Shane McDonald (via Nunawading – SEABL) and rookie American big man Charles Jackson (via Tennessee Tech) were added, while Shea Ili, Tai Wynyard and Finn Delany formed part of the development group. Corey Webster left during the preseason to trial with the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, leading to Everard Bartlett (via Hawke’s Bay) being brought in as temporary cover. Tai Wesley returned after helping the Southland Sharks win the 2015 New Zealand NBL championship, where he was named Finals MVP.

New Zealand opened the season in Adelaide on October 7, where Wesley (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) started as Cedric Jackson (14 points and 6 assists) and Bartlett (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) led the Breakers, while Matthew Hodgson (18 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led Adelaide to a 90-71 victory. New Zealand trailed 51-26 at halftime, giving the club its second-lowest first-half score and second-largest halftime deficit at the time.

Wesley (11.7 points and 4.9 rebounds across 26 games) appeared in 21 regular-season games and all five playoff games, making four starts. He had been rested during the NBL Blitz after picking up a minor preseason injury but was available for the regular-season opener and played New Zealand’s first seven games before missing seven consecutive games. His first absence came against Melbourne on November 8 around the birth of his first child, before appendicitis required surgery three days later and a subsequent liver infection extended his recovery through early December.

One of Wesley’s biggest games came against Cairns on October 28, where Wesley (26 points and 8 rebounds) made 9-of-14 shots and seven of eight free throws as New Zealand defeated the Taipans 90-67. Webster (35 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) produced a career-high scoring performance and Cedric Jackson (10 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) provided support, while Torrey Craig (17 points and 3 rebounds) led Cairns. It was also a career-high scoring night for Wesley, who was awaiting the birth of his first child and said, “I feel great… I was having fun out there and when basketball’s fun, what else can go wrong.”

Wesley’s best game came against Adelaide on November 5, where Wesley (26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) made 11-of-22 shots as New Zealand defeated the 36ers 98-88. Charles Jackson (21 points and 10 rebounds) and Webster (20 points) provided support, while Daniel Johnson (20 points and 15 rebounds) led Adelaide. The performance gave Wesley consecutive 26-point games before his season was interrupted by the birth of his son and appendicitis.

After surgery and the liver infection kept him out for almost a month, Wesley returned against Sydney on December 11 and came from the bench for 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist as New Zealand defeated the Kings 96-84. Vukona (18 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Cedric Jackson (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists) led the Breakers, while Jason Cadee (19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) was Sydney’s best.

With New Zealand sitting 1-3 early in the season, Webster (19.8 points across 28 games) returned after failing to secure a roster spot with New Orleans. Duane Bailey (0.7 points across 3 games; to Plymouth) was removed from the full-time roster to create room for Webster and was offered the opportunity to remain as a training player before later signing with the Plymouth Raiders, while Bartlett (4.7 points across 32 games), who had initially joined as Webster’s temporary replacement, was retained for the remainder of the season. New Zealand won nine of its next eleven games to improve to 10-5 before losing five of the following six, with the slide eventually developing into a six-game losing streak.

Wesley produced another of his best games in the final regular-season game against minor premiers Melbourne at Hisense Arena on February 14, where Wesley (23 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) made 10-of-18 shots, grabbed the offensive rebound and scored the go-ahead basket with 5.4 seconds remaining before blocking Melbourne’s final drive. Vukona (10 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Ili (9 points and 3 rebounds) provided support, while Chris Goulding (22 points and 3 assists) led United. New Zealand won 70-68 to complete a five-game winning streak and finished fourth with a 16-12 record, edging Adelaide for the final playoff position. “We’re on a five-game win streak, we just beat the team we’re playing – twice. Confidence is high,” Wesley said before the semifinals.

Abercrombie (14 points and 6.3 rebounds across 31 games), Cedric Jackson (12.8 points, 6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals across 33 games), Charles Jackson (10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds across 33 games), Pledger (6.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 31 games) and Vukona (6.2 points and 7.4 rebounds across 29 games) formed the remainder of New Zealand’s main rotation. Webster earned All-NBL Second Team honours after finishing second in league scoring, while Cedric Jackson led the NBL in assists for the fourth time in his four seasons in the competition.

New Zealand opened its semifinal series against first-placed Melbourne at Hisense Arena, where Wesley (4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) came from the bench as Cedric Jackson (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals), Abercrombie (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) and Vukona (11 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) helped the Breakers recover from a seven-point second-half deficit to win 91-82. Hakim Warrick (24 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks) and Goulding (23 points and 5 rebounds) led Melbourne.

Game two moved to Vector Arena, where Wesley (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) made seven of 10 field goals as Abercrombie (23 points and 4 rebounds), Cedric Jackson (19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Webster (13 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) led New Zealand. Goulding (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), Warrick (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Daniel Kickert (16 points) led Melbourne, but the Breakers pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 91-78 victory, completing the 2-0 sweep and advancing to their fifth Grand Final in six seasons.

Perth hosted game one of the Grand Final at Perth Arena, where Wesley (8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) came from the bench as Webster (19 points and 2 steals), Cedric Jackson (14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Charles Jackson (11 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks) helped New Zealand recover from a 13-point deficit and briefly take the lead during the second half. Nathan Jawai (15 points), Matthew Knight (14 points and 5 rebounds) and Damian Martin (9 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Perth, with Martin making several decisive defensive plays as the Wildcats won 82-76.

Game two returned to Auckland, where Wesley (11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) helped New Zealand keep its season alive alongside Cedric Jackson (13 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals), Abercrombie (12 points and 5 rebounds) and Pledger (11 points and 4 rebounds). Jermaine Beal (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Jesse Wagstaff (13 points) led Perth, but Webster (10 points) made a three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining to push New Zealand four points ahead before the Breakers held on for a 72-68 victory and forced a deciding game.

The deciding game returned to Perth Arena in front of 13,090 fans, where Wesley (7 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) came from the bench as Abercrombie (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals) was New Zealand’s only player to reach double figures and Charles Jackson (7 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 block) battled inside. Casey Prather (19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block), Beal (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Martin (10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Perth, with Martin holding Cedric Jackson scoreless on five field-goal attempts before he fouled out early in the fourth quarter. Martin was named Grand Final MVP as Perth defeated New Zealand 75-52 to claim its seventh NBL championship, handing the Breakers their first playoff series loss to the Wildcats and their first Grand Final series defeat.

NBL Grand Final Game 3 Perth Wildcats vs. New Zealand Breakers Highlights #Hardball @PerthWildcats @NZBreakers https://t.co/TByADa2Xzn

— NBL (@NBL) March 6, 2016

MELBOURNE UNITED
2016/17
After finishing first with an 18-10 record in 2015/16 before being swept by New Zealand in the semifinals, Melbourne United entered Dean Demopoulos’ second season with another major roster change. With the league increasing the number of imports allowed to three, Stephen Holt and Hakim Warrick departed, while Daniel Kickert (to Brisbane) also left. United added Cedric Jackson (via New Zealand), Ramone Moore (via Europe), Devin Williams (via West Virginia), Tai Wesley (via New Zealand) and David Andersen (via Europe), while David Barlow returned after missing the previous season following an Achilles injury.

Wesley signed a two-year deal with Melbourne on May 27 after spending two seasons with New Zealand, where he helped the Breakers win the 2015 championship and reach the 2016 Grand Final. Wesley was able to be registered as a local under the NBL’s Asian player rule because of his Guam qualification, allowing United to add him without using one of its three import positions. United general manager Vince Crivelli said, “Tai will add the depth we want to our defensive structure and inside play,” while also highlighting his ability to shoot from outside.

Melbourne opened the season against New Zealand at Vector Arena on October 7, where Wesley (15 points and 1 rebound) came from the bench and top-scored against his former team. Jackson (14 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Andersen (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) provided support, while Thomas Abercrombie (14 points and 5 rebounds) led New Zealand to a 76-71 victory.

Wesley (8.5 points and 3.3 rebounds across 28 games) came from the bench in every game and, alongside Majok Majok (5.5 points and 5.5 rebounds across 28 games), was one of only two Melbourne players to appear in all 28 games. Wesley did not miss a game through injury or illness during the season.

Wesley’s highest-scoring game came in Adelaide on October 14, where he finished with 18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal as Melbourne collected its first win of the season with a 98-87 victory over the 36ers. Todd Blanchfield (17 points and 5 rebounds) and Moore (14 points and 5 assists) provided support, while Jerome Randle (20 points) led Adelaide.

Wesley’s season also included a disciplinary issue following Melbourne’s 72-69 loss to Perth at Hisense Arena on October 23, where Wesley (10 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block), Majok (12 points and 5 rebounds) and Andersen (9 points and 5 rebounds) led United, while Casey Prather (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Perth’s leading scorer. Wesley was charged with unreasonable contact with the face after an incident with Jameel McKay during the fourth quarter which left McKay with a chipped tooth. The charge carried a one-game suspension, but Wesley accepted an early guilty plea which reduced the penalty to a $500 fine with no suspension, allowing him to remain available for every game.

Wesley’s best game came against Cairns at Hisense Arena on November 18, where he made 6-of-9 field goals and three of four three-pointers to finish with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal as Melbourne defeated the Taipans 84-79 and ended a five-game losing streak. Chris Goulding (30 points and 5 rebounds) made eight three-pointers in his return from injury, while Casper Ware (12 points and 6 assists) made his NBL debut after joining United during the week, and Fuquan Edwin (12 points) led Cairns.

Melbourne’s five-game losing streak had left the club at 3-7 and came during a period of significant injuries and import turnover. Jackson (8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals across 9 games) had been released on November 9 when United was 3-6, with the club making the move as part of a change in direction, before Ware (via Washington) arrived as his replacement. Ware (22.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals across 18 games) immediately became Melbourne’s leading scorer and helped United win 10 of its final 18 games. Goulding (16.4 points across 22 games) missed six games while managing ankle problems, Blanchfield (7.9 points and 3.6 rebounds across 22 games) missed time with a groin injury and Barlow (5.1 points across 19 games) missed the opening nine games with a calf injury before returning on November 12.

Melbourne’s frontcourt was also heavily affected by injuries. Andersen (9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds across 19 games) injured his knee against Perth in December and missed almost eight weeks, while Williams (3.2 points and 3.9 rebounds across 16 games) missed five weeks with a knee injury. Josh Boone (via Izmir) was signed on December 23 as a temporary injury replacement while Andersen and Williams were sidelined. Boone (10.1 points and 9.3 rebounds across 12 games) quickly became one of United’s most productive rebounders and was retained for the remainder of the season on January 31, with Williams released after returning to full fitness because Melbourne could not retain all of its imports. Moore (10 points across 20 games) later suffered a season-ending calf injury, leading to Lasan Kromah (via Patras) joining as his injury replacement, with Kromah (1 point across 3 games) seeing limited action.

Injuries and the continued roster changes prevented United from maintaining a settled rotation, with only five players appearing in at least 21 games and Wesley and Majok the only two to play all 28. Melbourne also went 3-5 in games decided by five points or fewer. Ware earned All-NBL First Team honours despite playing only 18 games, while Wesley later revealed the difficult season under Demopoulos had left him considering retirement. Melbourne and Demopoulos parted ways following the season.

Melbourne’s season ended against Perth at a sold-out Hisense Arena on February 12, where Wesley (4 points and 1 rebound) played 5:30 from the bench as Boone (27 points and 11 rebounds) and Ware (27 points and 6 assists) led United, while Prather (26 points and 11 assists) helped Perth win 96-94 and secure its 31st consecutive postseason appearance, leaving Melbourne sixth with a 13-15 record.

2017/18
After finishing sixth with a 13–15 record and missing the playoffs, Melbourne replaced Dean Demopoulos with former Sydney assistant Dean Vickerman on a two-year deal. Todd Blanchfield (to Sydney) and Ramone Moore (to Adelaide) departed, while David Barlow, Josh Boone and Casper Ware returned. Vickerman added Craig Moller (via Sydney), Casey Prather (via Perth) and Daniel Dillon (via Hiroshima), although Dillon ruptured his Achilles while playing for Kilsyth before the season and was ruled out for six-to-eight months, leading Melbourne to add Peter Hooley (via Ballarat) as his injury replacement.

Melbourne opened the season in Adelaide on October 5, where Wesley (10 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) helped United defeat the 36ers 99–97, with Ware (23 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Prather (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) leading Melbourne while Nathan Sobey (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Adelaide’s best.

Wesley (11.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 35 games) entered the second season of the two-year deal he had signed with Melbourne in May 2016. After clashing with Demopoulos and considering retirement following a difficult first season with United, Wesley became Melbourne’s starting power forward under Vickerman and played in all 35 games, missing none through injury.

After the season began, Felix Von Hofe (0.5 points across 4 games) and Durrell McDonald (0 points across 1 game) were added as development players on October 13.

One of Wesley’s best games came against Sydney on November 11, where Wesley (21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) shot 9-of-11 from the field and made all three of his three-point attempts as Melbourne defeated the Kings 108–90 in front of 8,196 fans at Hisense Arena. Prather (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Boone (19 points and 13 rebounds) provided support, while Jason Cadee (17 points and 5 assists) and Brad Newley (17 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney.

Wesley’s best game for the season came in Illawarra on December 16, where Wesley (19 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) made all seven of his field-goal attempts and all four free throws as Melbourne defeated the Hawks 84–78. Boone (18 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 steal) provided support, while Demitrius Conger (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra. The win ended a run of four consecutive road losses for United but came at a cost when Prather (4 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) fell on his outstretched left arm during the second quarter and dislocated his elbow.

The injury ruled Prather (15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 23 games) out for at least eight weeks, with Von Hofe initially elevated before former NBA forward Carrick Felix (via Long Island Nets) joined as his injury replacement. Felix (8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds across 10 games) helped Melbourne go 9–1 during his ten appearances. With David Andersen (5 points across 26 games) later unavailable with a foot injury, Chris Patton (via Cairns) joined as an injury replacement and appeared in two games for United.

Wesley produced another 21-point game in Perth on January 12, where Wesley (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Melbourne to an 82–80 win over the reigning champion Wildcats in front of 13,611 fans at Perth Arena. Ware (18 points) provided support, while JP Tokoto (25 points and 6 rebounds) led Perth as Melbourne snapped a six-game losing streak against the Wildcats, collected its seventh consecutive victory and moved to the top of the ladder.

Prather returned against Perth on February 16 after passing the required medical tests, with NBL rules requiring Felix to be removed from Melbourne’s active roster once Prather was declared healthy. Felix remained with the club and was eligible to return if another import suffered a qualifying injury, while Patton was also retained by United.

Ware (16.6 points and 4.3 assists across 35 games), Chris Goulding (14.7 points across 33 games) and Boone (12.9 points and 8.9 rebounds across 35 games) joined Wesley and Prather as Melbourne’s major contributors as United won 15 of its final 18 regular-season games and finished first with a 20–8 record. Ware and Boone were named to the All-NBL First Team, Wesley earned All-NBL Second Team honours after finishing 15th in MVP voting with 55 votes, and Vickerman was named Coach of the Year. Wesley was also named Melbourne’s Most Improved Player.

Melbourne opened the semifinals against New Zealand at Hisense Arena with an 88–77 win, where Wesley (13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided frontcourt support behind Ware (33 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Prather (15 points and 5 rebounds), while DJ Newbill (19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Shea Ili (16 points and 5 assists) led the Breakers.

Game two moved to Spark Arena, where Wesley (4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks) helped Melbourne complete the sweep with an 88–86 overtime win. Boone (33 points, 15 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) scored the winning putback at the buzzer, while Ware (15 points and 6 assists) and Goulding (14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) also contributed. Newbill (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Kirk Penney (17 points) led New Zealand as United advanced to the Grand Final.

Adelaide swept reigning champion Perth in the other semifinal to set up the Grand Final.

Melbourne opened the Grand Final with a 107–96 win at Hisense Arena, where Wesley (11 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks) made a major contribution at both ends alongside Goulding (26 points and 4 rebounds), Ware (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Boone (17 points and 7 rebounds). Ware suffered a hip injury following a first-quarter collision but returned after halftime, while Daniel Johnson (18 points and 5 rebounds) and Shannon Shorter (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals) led Adelaide.

Adelaide levelled the series with a 110–95 win in game two, where Wesley (12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 blocks) fouled out as Melbourne struggled with foul trouble. Prather (20 points and 7 rebounds) and Goulding (19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led United, while Majok Deng (18 points and 6 rebounds), Creek (17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Moore (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Adelaide. Josh Childress (13 points and 8 rebounds) suffered a shoulder injury during the fourth quarter and missed the remainder of the series.

The series returned to Melbourne for game three, where Wesley (9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) was involved in the increasingly physical series after headbutting Sobey (9 points and 4 assists) during the first quarter. A separate clash between Sobey and Prather at halftime resulted in Sobey being ejected and sparked a melee involving both teams, before Melbourne held on for a 101–98 win behind Ware (25 points and 3 assists), Prather (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) and Goulding (15 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals), while Johnson (20 points and 3 assists), Moore (18 points and 2 steals) and Deng (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Adelaide. Wesley was handed a one-game suspension for the first-quarter incident but accepted an early guilty plea and a $1,000 fine, allowing him to remain available for game four.

Game four moved to Adelaide, where Wesley (6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks) and Melbourne fell behind 55–31 by halftime before the 36ers won 90–81 to force a deciding game five. Prather (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led United, while Johnson (21 points and 9 rebounds), Sobey (16 points and 4 rebounds) and Shorter (14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led Adelaide.

The deciding game five returned to Hisense Arena, where Wesley (14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Goulding (23 points and 4 rebounds), Ware (23 points), Prather (19 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 block) and Boone (10 points and 12 rebounds) led Melbourne to a 100–82 win in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,300. Shorter (20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Johnson (17 points and 8 rebounds) and Creek (15 points and 10 rebounds) led Adelaide. Reflecting on the decider, Wesley said, “I remember thinking how grateful I was that we had home-court advantage because Adelaide is a tough place to win.” Goulding was named Grand Final MVP as Melbourne won the series 3–2 and Wesley collected his second NBL championship.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
2018/19
After finishing fourth with a 15-13 record and being swept by Melbourne in the semifinals the previous season, the Breakers underwent major changes when a consortium headed by former NBA player Matt Walsh became majority shareholders through Breakers Basketball Ltd, ending the 13-year ownership of Liz and Paul Blackwell. Paul Henare’s 15-year association with the club as a player and coach came to an end, Kirk Penney retired, while Alex Pledger (to Melbourne), Mika Vukona (to Brisbane), and Robert Loe (to Cairns) also departed. Thomas Abercrombie was appointed captain and former Breakers guard Kevin Braswell took over as head coach, rebuilding the roster with Corey Webster (via Europe), Tai Wesley (via Melbourne), Jarrad Weeks (via Cairns), Majok Majok (via Melbourne), Patrick Richard, Armani Moore, and Shawn Long.

Wesley returned to New Zealand on a one-year deal on May 15 after helping Melbourne win the 2018 NBL championship. It marked his second stint with the Breakers, having previously helped the club win the 2015 championship, while his relationship with Braswell from their championship seasons together at the Wellington Saints and the club’s family environment helped bring him back. Wesley said, “We are excited to be rejoining the Breakers family, we have only good experiences with them and we felt it was right to come back.” The season would also be Wesley’s final year playing in the NBL as a non-restricted player before being classified as an import the following year.

Wesley suffered a broken nose during the preseason but was able to take part in the Breakers’ NBLxNBA trip to the United States. New Zealand pushed the Phoenix Suns before falling 86-91, with Wesley (15 points and 7 rebounds) and Webster (27 points and 7 assists) leading 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 Wesley (12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) was one of the Breakers’ better performers, but the Bullets won 86-73 behind Cameron Gliddon (29 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals), with Webster (23 points) and Long (10 points and 7 rebounds) leading New Zealand alongside him.

Wesley (14.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) played all 28 games and missed no regular-season games through injury, overcoming the broken nose suffered during the preseason to become one of the most consistent parts of a new-look Breakers frontcourt. New Zealand struggled for consistency around him, winning only four of its first 12 games and enduring a five-game losing streak through November and December.

His highest-scoring game came against his former team Melbourne on October 14, when Wesley (25 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists) led New Zealand to an 88-81 road victory only months after helping United win the championship. Abercrombie (16 points and 5 rebounds) and Richard (15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) provided support, while Chris Goulding (22 points) led Melbourne.

Wesley (22 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) was again New Zealand’s leading scorer against Perth on November 3, making 10-of-17 from the field, but the Wildcats defeated the Breakers 92-78 behind Bryce Cotton (23 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals), with Webster (19 points) and Long (10 points and 14 rebounds) providing support.

Later that month, Wesley (16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) was reported by referee Michael Aylen for comments made towards him during the fourth quarter of New Zealand’s 86-91 loss to Perth at RAC Arena. After returning from international commitments with Guam, Wesley pleaded no contest at the NBL Tribunal and accepted a $1000 fine, with $250 suspended for two years, but received no suspension and remained available for the Breakers.

Wesley’s best overall game of the season came against Adelaide on January 4, when Wesley (19 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) helped New Zealand erase an eight-point halftime deficit and defeat the 36ers 104-96. Long (28 points, 18 rebounds, and 3 blocks) set a Breakers franchise record with 18 rebounds and Richard (18 points and 3 rebounds) added support, while Nathan Sobey (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Adelaide.

After three consecutive losses dropped New Zealand to 8-12 and the bottom of the ladder, Wesley (16 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) produced one of his best all-around performances against Cairns in New Plymouth on January 24, making 7-of-11 from the field as the Breakers won 113-106 and kept their slim playoff hopes alive. Long (32 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks) dominated inside and Weeks (12 points and 3 rebounds) provided support, while DJ Newbill (32 points) led Cairns.

With both teams already eliminated from playoff contention, Wesley (23 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) made 10-of-14 from the field against Illawarra on February 9 as New Zealand won 96-81 at WIN Entertainment Centre. Long (24 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks) combined with Wesley to dominate inside and Ili (12 points and 3 assists) added support, while Brian Conklin (20 points and 4 rebounds) led the Hawks.

Long (18.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks) emerged as New Zealand’s leading scorer and finished second in the NBL in both rebounding and blocked shots, earning All-NBL Second Team honours and the Breakers Club MVP award. Richard (11 points and 3.6 rebounds), Webster (10.4 points), 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) were the other major contributors, with Weeks producing the best season of his career and finishing runner-up for both Best Sixth Man and Most Improved Player.

With his one-year Breakers deal completed, Wesley (to South East Melbourne) became the Phoenix’s first import signing on April 1, agreeing to a three-year contract with a club option on the final season. The move returned him to Melbourne after one year in New Zealand, but unlike his previous five NBL seasons he would now occupy an import position. Wesley said, “I can’t wait to get back to Melbourne! My family and I love it there.”

New Zealand closed the season in Brisbane on February 16, where Wesley (17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) scored 10 points in the fourth quarter as the Breakers threatened to derail Brisbane’s playoff push, with Long (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Delany (9 points and 3 rebounds) providing support, while Lamar Patterson (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Bullets to an 84-78 win as New Zealand finished sixth with a 12-16 record.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
2019/20
South East Melbourne entered the NBL as its newest franchise under inaugural head coach Simon Mitchell, with Mitch Creek signed as the club’s marquee player. The Phoenix then built an experienced roster around him, adding Ben Madgen (via Europe), Adam Gibson (via Brisbane), Kyle Adnam (via Sydney), John Roberson (via Russia) and Keith Benson (via Germany).

After spending the previous season with New Zealand, the two-time NBL champion became South East Melbourne’s first import signing on April 1, agreeing to a three-year deal with a club option on the final season. “I can’t wait to get back to Melbourne! My family and I love it there and are excited to get involved with the basketball community in the South East,” he said.

He made an immediate impact during the pre-season, scoring 20 points as South East Melbourne defeated Sydney 96-87 before producing a game-high 23 points against his former club in a 102-95 win over New Zealand as the Phoenix completed their first NBL Blitz unbeaten.

South East Melbourne’s first-ever regular-season game came against cross-town rivals Melbourne United on October 3 in the first ‘Throwdown’. Wesley (8 points) made all three of his field-goal attempts in the opening five minutes before suffering a hamstring injury and leaving the game. Creek (28 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Roberson (20 points) carried the Phoenix from there as they made 12 of 23 three-pointers and defeated United 91-88, while Shawn Long (26 points, 13 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) was Melbourne’s best.

Wesley (10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds across 18 games) missed the next 10 games because of the hamstring injury, with Jaye Crockett (8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds across 9 games) signed as a temporary injury replacement. South East Melbourne won its next two games to begin its inaugural season 3-0 before suffering its first loss in Perth, and had fallen to 6-5 by the time Wesley was ready to return.

After more than nine weeks on the sidelines, Wesley (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) returned against Perth on December 8. Creek (31 points) and Madgen (20 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) led South East Melbourne, while Bryce Cotton (26 points and 4 rebounds) helped the Wildcats win 108-98 and leave the Phoenix with a 6-6 record.

Wesley’s best game of the season came against Illawarra on December 28, where he made 10 of 15 field-goal attempts, including three three-pointers, and finished with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal. Roberson (28 points and 5 assists) and Creek (25 points and 5 rebounds) helped South East Melbourne defeat the Hawks 112-102 and improve to 8-9, moving within one game of fourth-placed Cairns, while Todd Blanchfield (22 points and 5 rebounds) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Keith Benson (5.8 points and 3.9 rebounds across 16 games) had been part of South East Melbourne’s opening roster before being replaced during the second half of the season by Devondrick Walker (7.4 points across 8 games), who made his Phoenix debut against Perth on January 17.

South East Melbourne were led by Creek (20.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals across 26 games) and Roberson (20.2 points and 5.6 assists across 28 games), with Madgen (12.1 points and 4.8 rebounds across 28 games), Adnam (9.1 points across 28 games) and Dane Pineau (8.1 points and 8.7 rebounds across 28 games) providing the other major contributions. The Phoenix led the NBL in scoring at 95.4 points per game, but struggled away from home, winning only three of 14 road games. After reaching the midpoint of the season at 6-6, South East Melbourne managed only three wins from its final 16 games, with the campaign proving to be Wesley’s final NBL season.

Wesley’s final NBL game came against Melbourne United on February 16, where he finished with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Madgen (23 points and 4 rebounds) and Roberson (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) provided support, while Chris Goulding (28 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) led Melbourne to a 109-90 victory, extending South East Melbourne’s losing streak to eight games and leaving the Phoenix second-last with a 9-19 record.

Tai Wesley played six seasons across three NBL teams. This included the New Zealand Breakers, Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix. He averaged 10.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 167 NBL games.