Webster claims second off-season title

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

NBL talents Corey Webster and Walter Brown have helped lift the Canterbury Rams to a drought-breaking NZNBL title.

Corey Webster’s dramatically successful off-season has continued, with the Perth Wildcats star helping an NBL-talent laden Canterbury Rams side lift the NZNBL title last week.

Webster linked up with the Rams at the back end of the NZNBL’s regular season, following a successful stint with Egyptian side Al Ahly – where he won the Basketball Africa League along side South Sudanese star Nuni Omot.

The Rams overcame the Rob Loe-led Auckland Tuatara 93-82. Webster claimed early bragging rights over Auckland coach Aaron Young, who will join the Perth Wildcats as an assistant coach in NBL24.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">THE CANTERBURY RAMS ARE 2023 CHAMPIONS ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SalsNBL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SalsNBL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/skysportnz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@skysportnz</a> <a href="https://t.co/6QNo76WjnR">pic.twitter.com/6QNo76WjnR</a></p>— Sal’s NBL (@nznbl) <a href="https://twitter.com/nznbl/status/1683023396001701888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Webster’s electric 25-point, seven-assist display helped place him within touching distance of being named Finals MVP, however that honour was awarded to American import Tevin Brown.

Tasmania development player Walter Brown added a crucial 10 points and nine rebounds in the win, while Auckland and South East Melbourne win Reuben Te Rangi top scored for the defeated side with 27 points.

JackJumpers coach Jarrad Weeks added 16 points for the Tuatara, while Breakers wing Cam Gliddon scored 10 points for the defeated finalists.

The victory marks the third NZNBL title for former South East Melbourne and New Zealand assistant, and current Rams head coach Judd Flavell, and represents the team's first title triumph in over three decades.

“This one is special,” Flavell said post-game. “For a club who’s been a great part of this league for a very long time, it’s been a long time coming.”

The Finals defeat puts a disappointing end it what was an exceptional season from Auckland. The Tuatara topped the ladder at the end of the regular season with a 13-5 record, while star players Loe and Weeks were both named to the competition’s All-Star Five.