Websters’ dream still alive
Corey and Tai Webster’s NBA dreams are set to continue, with the Kiwi brothers both getting a chance to impress at NBA Summer League.
Tai has signed with the Charlotte Hornets for NBA Summer League, while Corey joins the Dallas Mavericks.
Younger brother Tai, 22, was not selected in Friday’s NBA Draft, but quickly picked up by the Hornets.
The Hornets earlier worked out Webster before the draft, and were clearly intrigued enough for a second look.
The brothers join fellow Kiwis Steven Adams, Kirk Penney, Rob Loe and Thomas Abercrombie in having a crack in Summer League, which will be teeming with scouts.
Tai will initially play at the Orlando Summer League from July 1-6, while Corey will play solely in Las Vegas from July 7-17.
For Corey Webster, it will be his second time with an NBA franchise, after previously attending a training camp and pre-season with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2015.
After winning the New Zealand NBL MVP and championship with the undefeated Wellington Saints, Webster jetted off to a Mavericks minicamp this month, impressing enough to get the call to attend Summer League in Las Vegas.
Much like when he was with the Pelicans, he has been given every chance to make the
NBA by the Australian
NBL team he is contracted to.
Webster is on the books of the Perth Wildcats, and can come back to the league if he can’t crack the NBA.
Tai, meanwhile, will combine his NBA quest with the chance to perform in front of many overseas teams and scouts.
Many of those scouts come from European sides, with Webster’s international appearances and his senior season at Nebraska — 17 points, five rebounds and four assists per game — set to be good enough for a European gig if the NBA doesn’t come calling. That decision will be made after he chases his NBA dream, though. The success of the Webster brothers could also have an impact on whether they are available for the Tall Blacks’ Asia Cup campaign in Lebanon in August. Tall Blacks coach Paul Henare was supportive of his players giving their all to make the NBA: “It’s something we fully support.”