Family Tai Drives Webster

New Perth Wildcats signing Tai Webster has revealed he was in discussions with the club for a month before striking a deal earlier this week.

Webster moved to Perth from Petkim Spor of the Turkish Basketball Super League. No stranger to the NBL, Webster has had two stints with the New Zealand Breakers, most recently from 2020-21.

Webster is finally happy to become a Wildcat after a long negotiation period.

“It was long, took about a month of discussions,” Webster said.

“I had doubts and worries but I’m glad I’m here now and feel like I’ve made the right decision.”

Tai will join his brother Corey Webster at the ‘Cats, and mentions his presence was part of the reason he signed. The Webster brothers also played together at the Breakers.

“I want to be a lot closer to home, it’s important for me the older I get, spending more time at home, closer to home, obviously an opportunity to play with Corey again which is great,” Tai said.

“I want to win with Corey and have fun doing it and play for a great club like Perth.

“It’s Perth as well at the end of the day, it’s not every day you get an opportunity to come play with a club like Perth so it was an offer I couldn’t decline.”

The Wildcats and Breakers clash tomorrow night and Webster is unsure whether he will be ready to play against his former NBL team.

“I’m not expecting to play a whole bunch tomorrow honestly, today was the first day I went through practice,” he said.

Webster says he is “ready” for whatever coach John Rillie needs him to do to move forward this season and secure a place in the finals.

The Wildcats are sitting fifth on the ladder with a 10-8 record.

“I’m always ready, whatever they need from me I’m there and I’m ready to do it,” Webster said.

“I believe in myself and my ability, I think I have the ability to be one of the better players in this league and my presence will be felt out there for sure.”

The Wildcats play the Breakers tomorrow night at 5:30pm AEDT.