Webster Eyes Best in West

By Tom Hersz

If ever there was a free agent signing that raised eyebrows, it was this one. 

When the Perth Wildcats announced in June that they had signed Corey Webster to a two-year deal, there were many different reactions ranging from ‘Wow, Corey’s coming back to the NBL’ to ‘I never thought he’d play for anyone but the Breakers’ to ‘How will he fit there?’. 

But amongst all of that was the underlying rhetoric around Webster’s 2017 contract with Perth, which he walked away from to pursue opportunities overseas. Fans have long memories and some were surprised that Perth would go down that route again.

This, however, is a new Perth Wildcats organisation, with new ownership, a new-look front office and a desire to improve their roster after missing the postseason for the first time in 35 years.

And one thing you can’t deny is that Corey Webster is a talent. He is one of the most talented shooting guards to have played in the NBL in the last 15 years, a proven winner and will make your team better.

The 33-year-old has played 236 NBL games and boasts experience in Serbia, Greece, Israel, China, Italy and most recently, Egypt. 

With averages of 13.4 points, 3.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 2020/2021, Webster is still very much an offensive threat. 

“I was open to looking all around,” he told NBL Media, reflecting on his move to Perth. 

“But, I definitely wanted to be closer to home now that my kids are getting a bit older and I didn’t want to be so far away from my oldest son; he doesn’t live with me so it’s a bit tougher me being so far away. 

“I got into a great position here in Perth. I’m grateful to be recruited by this team again.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? COREY IS A CAT! ?<br><br>The Perth Wildcats are excited to announce the signing of three-time NBL Champion Corey Webster on a two-year deal.<br><br>More info: <a href="https://t.co/nLOYBSUxdw">https://t.co/nLOYBSUxdw</a> <a href="https://t.co/xA4CWLy71Y">pic.twitter.com/xA4CWLy71Y</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1536876208591613952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Even after some of the epic battles he had against the Wildcats while with the New Zealand Breakers, once some NBL options presented themselves to Webster and his agent, it soon became a pretty clear choice.

“There were a few teams that I was talking to, but I just felt like – obviously everyone knows the history of Perth,” he explained. 

“It’s a great club and the month that I’ve been here now I’ve really enjoyed it ... being around the guys, learning about the expectations they have as a club and joining a great bunch of guys. I think anyone recruited by Perth is lucky to be so. 

“(There's) high expectations, you know, championship expectations. The history here is unmatched in this league, so those were a couple of reasons why I was looking forward to playing with this club. 

“I’m not going to say it was a no-brainer, but Perth was definitely at the top of my list from the beginning.

“I’m honoured to be a Perth Wildcat for the next two seasons.”

Webster has been in Perth for around a month now and his family will join him from October, right in time for the Wildcats' tilt at a return to finals. 

“Obviously, I’ve had some great battles with Perth and the fans here are amazing. I think they’ve got like 12,000 memberships this year, so it’s going to be a sell-out every game for sure. I’m really looking forward to playing in front of that home crowd.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Corey Webster in Perth? Yeah he&#39;s had some fun there.<br><br>ICYMI C-Web is heading West to join the <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PerthWildcats</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> <a href="https://t.co/N4ZegxQwA4">pic.twitter.com/N4ZegxQwA4</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1536901465998258176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


It's very much a different looking Perth team this year, with new coach John Rillie at the helm, a host of new imports and renewed enthusiasm after a tough year in NBL22. 

“John’s a great guy,” Webster said. 

“He’s got a great energy, a positive guy. I previously played with him. He actually joined the Breakers towards the back end of his career when Kirk [Penney] got injured when I was younger, so I already had a relationship with John.

“I was happy to hear that he was coming in to take over that head coaching spot and he’s just bringing great energy to the team. We’ve got a great team, they’ve put together a really good team. We’ve got vets, we’ve got great imports, we’ve got guys like Bryce [Cotton] – we obviously know what he brings. And I think John’s the perfect coach for that. 

“He understands the game, he was a great player himself, which always helps. To have a coach that really knows the game like he does and played at a high level, you can kind of relate to him a bit easier and relate to things he’s talking about.

“But, he’s really emphasising defensive rebounding. Obviously, that’s a bit different from how his game was. He was known more for being a scorer, but he knows the talent and the weapons we have at the offensive end, so he’s really focusing on defensive rebounding. 

“So far it’s been great. He’s been awesome to work with and just brings a great energy to the group.”

How Rillie played and how Webster plays are very similar. You could say they were cut from the same cloth, so to speak; both aggressive scorers, elite shooters and players who can impact a game in many ways. 

Webster, a three-time NBL champion is determined to deliver for his new team, and his new coach. 

“He (Rillie) intends to use me just the same as I’ve always been used,” Webster explained. 

“I’m an aggressive offensive player who can impact a game in different ways, whether it’d be creating for others or scoring myself. And then, just focusing in on our defence and going hard at that end. 

“He’s one of those guys, as long as you’re bringing effort then he’s happy. Sometimes the game doesn’t go your way, but as long as you’re giving 100 per cent effort at both ends of the floor and being aggressive, then he’s happy. So, those are kind of the conversations. 

“He’s just telling me to be myself and be aggressive. I really like the offensive philosophies he’s put in and he’s really clear with his defensive philosophies. So far, it’s really just being myself. 

“Just getting to know a new bunch of guys and just trying to do what I can do at the highest level, and help the club win.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">?? Corey Webster<br>?? TaShawn Thomas<br>?? Brady Manek<br><br>The lads arrived safely in Perth and met their new teammates for the first time this morning! <a href="https://t.co/1DiUKMjcsE">pic.twitter.com/1DiUKMjcsE</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1557983134603685888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


One guy he’s getting to know well is the three-time MVP and face of the Wildcats, Cotton. In fact, word out of the team's camp so far is that Webster is not only fitting in really well, but that he’s already building a nice chemistry with the number 11. 

Some may struggle to see how two elite offensive talents would fit together. Some may mistakenly think that they both need the ball in their hands to succeed, but the Wildcats signed Webster because they believe he can complement his fellow star. 

“Bryce is just an amazing player,” he said. 

“Everyone knows that and it’s awesome to be out there with him. I feel like I can just make his job a bit easier. Not that he (Cotton) hasn’t had scorers around him in the past, but it always helps when you’re that type of player to have another weapon who gets that attention at the defensive end. It opens up lanes for him, it gives him more space on the floor to play, and that’s vice-versa. 

“I think this year we’ve got shooters all over the floor with (Todd) Blanchfield, Brady Manek and guys like that. We’re going to be dangerous and I think it just complements each other. We’re both unselfish players, we like to make plays for others too, but we can obviously put the ball in the hole as well. 

“I’m really enjoying working with him and sometimes watching what he does at practice is pretty amazing, so I think it’s going to be a really exciting year, for sure. I’m really enjoying that so far.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? Putting the ??? in ??A?Y ?<br><br>New <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PerthWildcats</a> trio, Corey Webster, TaShawn Thomas, and Brady Manek, got their paws on their new red threads today ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> <a href="https://t.co/ujVAEXGSwR">pic.twitter.com/ujVAEXGSwR</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1559103388851515392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

As for Webster's goals, well, like the Perth Wildcats' organisation, he has high expectations.

“Winning the championship is always the ultimate goal,” he explained. 

“That’s why you’re here and what you’re building for – that kind of goes without saying.

“I (personally) don’t have too much to prove. I’m one of the older guys now, I’m turning 34 this year, so I’m not the youngest guy anymore. I’ve shown the league what I can do, won a few championships, had a few good years and been around for a while. 

“So, it’s not so much proving myself or having a point to prove. I just want to compete at the best of my ability, whatever it takes to win games ... stay healthy and just compete all the way through the season, and hopefully we’re there at the end to fight for that championship.”