Tai Webster

Born in Auckland, Webster attended Westlake Boys High School and played for North Harbour Basketball.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

Webster joined the Auckland Pirates of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) for the 2012 season, playing two games for a team that won the championship.[http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?client=11-8336-114270-202747-16719616&sID=&action=PSTATS&pID=194487206 Player statistics for Tai Webster][http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-3990-0-0-0&sID=215066&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=19416341 Auckland NBL Champions]{{cite web | url=https://nznbl.basketball/past_champions/?championship_year=2012&gender=mens-nbl | title=2012 NBL CHAMPIONS: AUCKLAND PIRATES | work=NZNBL | access-date=19 February 2024 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219071936/https://nznbl.basketball/past_champions/?championship_year=2012&gender=mens-nbl | archive-date=19 February 2024}} He subsequently joined the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian NBL as a non-contracted development player for the 2012–13 NBL season.[https://web.archive.org/web/20130208201028/http://www.nzbreakers.co.nz/article/id/1dstg930gcbm317uckurjd1di5 BREAKERS WELCOME BACK WEBSTER AS ROSTER IS FINALISED]

In December 2012, Webster signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.[http://www.cornnation.com/2012/12/4/3727490/webster-officially-in-the-fold Webster Officially in the Fold] He had never heard of Nebraska when he was recruited, but signed with the team anyway.{{cite news |last1=Bruntz |first1=Michael |title=Webster reflects on winding, rewarding career |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/webster-reflects-on-winding-rewarding-career/ |accessdate=6 February 2020 |work=CBS Sports |date=5 March 2017}}

Webster joined the Waikato Pistons for the 2013 New Zealand NBL season.[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/8516797/Tai-Websters-signing-should-get-Pistons-firing Tai Webster's signing should get Pistons firing] In 15 games, he averaged 18.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

As a freshman for the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 2013–14, Webster was an immediate contributor, averaging 3.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 32 games (30 starts) while helping the Huskers reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998. He led Nebraska with 63 assists and was also among the team leaders in steals. Webster reached double figures four times, including a season-high 14 points against Georgia, and paced the squad in assists eight times. His season-best was five assists on three occasions.{{cite web | title = Tai Webster Bio | work = Huskers.com | url = http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209116067 | accessdate = 5 August 2014}}

As a sophomore in 2014–15, Webster backed up starters Terran Petteway and Shavon Shields. In 30 games (four starts), he averaged 3.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 18.4 minutes per game. Webster called the season "hugely disappointing" since his work in practice did not translate to higher production than as a freshman.

As a junior in 2015–16, Webster joined the Nebraska starting lineup. He averaged 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 27.7 minutes per game.

File:Tai_Webster_2017.jpg

As a senior in 2016–17, Webster averaged 17.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 34.7 minutes per game. Leading up to the NBA draft, many thought Webster could be a "second-round sleeper."{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/basketball/news/article.cfm?c_id=21&objectid=11836214|title=NBA: Brogdon surprise paves way for Kiwi Tai Webster's NBA dream|last=Chapman|first=Grant|date=11 April 2017|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=11 April 2017|language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2013–14

| style="text-align:left;"| Nebraska

| 32 || 30 || 22.8 || .304 || .171 || .619 || 2.1 || 2.0 || 0.8 || 0.1 || 3.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2014–15

| style="text-align:left;"| Nebraska

| 30 || 4 || 18.4 || .358 || .231 || .737 || 1.9 || 1.2 || 0.7 || 0.1 || 3.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2015–16

| style="text-align:left;"| Nebraska

| 34 || 18 || 27.7 || .474 || .350 || .740 || 4.1 || 1.9 || 1.4 || 0.4 || 10.1

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17

| style="text-align:left;"| Nebraska

| 31 || 31 || 34.7 || .421 || .294 || .744 || 5.1 || 4.0 || 1.4 || 0.1 || 17.0

|-

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 127 || 83 || 25.9 || .414 || .279 || .715 || 3.3 || 2.3 || 1.0 || 0.2 || 8.8

|-

{{S-end}}

After going undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft, Webster played for the Golden State Warriors during the 2017 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.{{cite web|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Tai-Webster/Summary/37821|title=Tai Webster|work=realgm.com|accessdate=13 March 2021}} He later signed with the Skyliners Frankfurt in Germany for the 2017–18 season.{{cite news |title=Former Husker Tai Webster signs with German team Fraport Skyliners |url=https://www.omaha.com/sports/college/huskers/blogs/former-husker-tai-webster-signs-with-german-team-fraport-skyliners/article_b8ef1706-94c6-11e7-a676-839bc3d44eb8.html |accessdate=6 February 2020 |work=Omaha World-Herald |date=8 September 2017}} He posted 14.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game in his rookie season.{{cite web |title=Galatasaray signs Jaka Klobucar and Tai Webster |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/turkey/bsl/284941/galatasaray-signs-jaka-klobucar-and-tai-webster.html |website=Sportando |date=7 August 2018 |accessdate=7 August 2018}}

On 7 August 2018, Webster signed with the Turkish team Galatasaray. He re-signed with Galatasaray on 7 August 2019.{{cite web |title=Galatasaray re-signs Aaron Harrison, Zach Auguste and Tai Webster |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/galatasaray-re-signs-aaron-harrison-zach-auguste-and-tai-webster/ |website=Sportando |date=7 August 2019 |accessdate=13 March 2021}}

On 15 July 2020, Webster signed a one-year contract with the New Zealand Breakers, returning to the team for a second stint.{{cite web |title=New Zealand Breakers confirm Tai Webster signing for upcoming Australian NBL season |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/122141722/new-zealand-breakers-confirm-tai-webster-signing-for-upcoming-australian-nbl-season |website=Stuff |language=en |date=15 July 2020 |accessdate=15 July 2020}} On 9 April 2021, he was ruled out for four weeks with an Achilles injury.{{cite web | last=Hinton | first=Marc | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300272918/rob-loe-rejoins-nz-breakers-for-remainder-of-nbl-season-tai-webster-out-injured | title=Rob Loe rejoins NZ Breakers for remainder of NBL season, Tai Webster out injured | work=stuff.co.nz | date=9 April 2021 | access-date=9 April 2021}} Webster averaged 17.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game during the 2020–21 season.{{cite news |last1=Uluc |first1=Olgun |title=NBL Free Agency: who's on the move |url=https://www.espn.com/nbl/story/_/id/31715766/nbl-free-agency-move |access-date=29 June 2021 |work=ESPN |date=26 June 2021}}

On 11 July 2021, Webster re-signed with the Breakers on a two-year deal.{{cite news |title=Breakers Beat Off Overseas Rivals and Tai Webster Stays for Two More Years |url= https://www.nzbreakers.basketball/news/breakers-beat-off-overseas-rivals-and-tai-webster-stays-for-two-more-years |website=nzbreakers.basketball|access-date=11 July 2021 |date=11 July 2021}} However, on 20 September 2021, he was released by the Breakers{{cite web |title=Tai Webster and Breakers Agree Release |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/tai-webster-and-breakers-agree-release |website=NBL.com.au |date=20 September 2021 |access-date=20 September 2021}} reportedly due to his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine.{{cite web |title=NZ Breakers part ways with Tai Webster because of Covid-19 vaccination stance |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300411439/nz-breakers-part-ways-with-tai-webster-because-of-covid19-vaccination-stance |website=stuff.co.nz|access-date=20 September 2021 |date=20 September 2021}}

On 2 November 2021, Webster signed with Lithuanian team Žalgiris Kaunas for the rest of the 2021–22 season.{{Cite web|url=https://zalgiris.lt/en/news/bc-zalgiris/97831/|title=Tai Webster replaces Emmanuel Mudiay in Zalgiris|last=|first=|date=2 November 2021|website=zalgiris.lt|publisher=|access-date=2 November 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.euroleague.net/news/i/bwhik83xan6ic5bg/webster-in-mudiay-out-of-zalgiris-backcourt|title=Webster in, Mudiay out of Zalgiris backcourt|last=|first=|website=euroleague.net|date=1 November 2021|access-date=1 January 2022}}

On 31 July 2022, Webster signed with Petkim Spor of the Turkish Basketball Super League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketfaul.com/haber?haber=102460|title=Eski Galatasaraylı Petkim'de|last=|first=|date=31 July 2022|website=|publisher=basketfaul|language=tr|access-date=5 August 2022}} He was released on 30 December 2022.{{cite web|url=http://www.petkimspor.org/tesekkurler-tai-webster/|title=TEŞEKKÜRLER TAİ WEBSTER|work=petkimspor.org|date=30 December 2022|access-date=31 December 2022|language=Turkish}}

On 2 January 2023, Webster signed with the Perth Wildcats in Australia for the rest of the 2022–23 NBL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/wildcats-sign-sharp-shooting-tai-webster|title=Wildcats sign sharp-shooting Tai Webster|work=wildcats.com.au|date=2 January 2023|access-date=2 January 2023}} He played for the Otago Nuggets during the 2023 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web|last=Seconi|first=Adrian|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/otago-nuggets-score-coup-signing-22-cap-tall-black|title=Otago Nuggets score coup with signing of 22-cap Tall Black|work=odt.co.nz|date=1 June 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230601020133/https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/otago-nuggets-score-coup-signing-22-cap-tall-black|archive-date=1 June 2023}}

Webster returned to the Wildcats for the 2023–24 NBL season{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/tai-webster-re-signs-with-the-wildcats|title=Tai Webster re-signs with the Wildcats|work=wildcats.com.au|date=21 April 2023|access-date=21 April 2023}} and averaged 8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.9 steals per game, while shooting at 46 per cent from the field.{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/we-have-a-great-chance-tai-locked-in-for-nbl25|title='We have a great chance': Tai locked in for NBL25|work=wildcats.com.au|date=12 April 2024|access-date=12 April 2024}}

Webster re-joined the Nuggets for the 2024 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web|last=Seconi|first=Adrian|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/tai-webster-returning-boost-nuggets|title=Tai Webster returning to boost Nuggets|work=odt.co.nz|date=9 February 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209072004/https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/tai-webster-returning-boost-nuggets|archive-date=9 February 2024}} On 2 May 2024, he scored a career-high 40 points in a 96–85 loss to the Canterbury Rams.{{cite web|url=https://nznbl.basketball/canterbury-vs-otago-rams-outlast-nuggets/|title=CANTERBURY VS OTAGO: RAMS OUTLAST NUGGETS|work=nznbl.basketball|date=2 May 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505002032/https://nznbl.basketball/canterbury-vs-otago-rams-outlast-nuggets/|archive-date=5 May 2024}}{{cite web|last=Seconi|first=Adrian|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/websters-40-point-haul-not-enough-nuggets|title=Webster's 40-point haul not enough for Nuggets|work=odt.co.nz|date=2 May 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505001515/https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/websters-40-point-haul-not-enough-nuggets|archive-date=5 May 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/otagonuggetsnbl/posts/pfbid0KxYw9KoQn1jCuP67QguRkcopaw6m4iEzqDB4n8ZxiHE5ndV7ExqVVSwvXkGeiuxEl|title=Career night for Tai Webster|work=facebook.com/otagonuggetsnbl|date=2 May 2024|access-date=5 May 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/wildcats/posts/pfbid02Go5SZcwsgfBX4DuZe1Cw6m3Z5Ent4PxW1JkQxi7BSthw1pENCpyZLhbeMg5QizjYl|title=The NZ cold ain't getting to Tai!|work=facebook.com/wildcats|date=4 May 2024|access-date=5 May 2024}}

Webster re-joined the Wildcats for 2024–25 NBL season. He missed five games over the first half of the season and then on 19 December 2024, he was ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury.{{cite news |last1=Robinson |first1=Chris |title=Wildcats' backcourt blow: Webster sidelined until February |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/tai-webster-injury-perth-wildcats-guard-to-miss-six-weeks-with-hamstring-setback-c-17137596 |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=The West Australian |date=19 December 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web|last=O'Donoghue|first=Craig|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/perth-wildcats-decision-to-rule-tai-webster-out-for-six-weeks-was-based-on-having-him-fit-for-finals-c-17150489|title=Perth Wildcats' decision to rule Tai Webster out for six weeks was based on having him fit for finals|work=The West Australian|date=20 December 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241220063606/https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/perth-wildcats-decision-to-rule-tai-webster-out-for-six-weeks-was-based-on-having-him-fit-for-finals-c-17150489|archive-date=20 December 2024}}

On 6 March 2025, Webster signed with JL Bourg Basket of the French LNB Élite.{{cite news |last1=Fontaine |first1=Manon |title=Tai Webster rejoint l'équipe |url=https://www.jlbourg-basket.com/2025/03/06/taiwebsterrejointlequipe/ |access-date=7 March 2025 |work=JL Bourg Basket |date=6 March 2025 |language=French}}

In 2012, Webster represented New Zealand at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where he averaged 13.5 points per game. He went on to represent New Zealand at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/10400144/Tall-Blacks-cut-down-squad-for-FIBA-World-Cup/ Tall Blacks cut down squad for FIBA World Cup] and the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.{{cite web|url=https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/98847/pid2//sid/12526/tid/337/tid2//_/2016_FIBA_Olympic_Qualifying_Tournament/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904170746/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/98847/pid2/sid/12526/tid/337/tid2/_/2016_FIBA_Olympic_Qualifying_Tournament/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 September 2019|title=Tai Webster|work=fiba.com|accessdate=13 March 2021}}

{{Euroleague player statistics legend}}

{{Euroleague player statistics start}}

|-

| align="left" | 2021–22

| align="left" | Žalgiris

| 21 || 7 || 12.5 || .326 || .222 || .739 || .9 || 1.6 || .3 || .1 || 4.0 || 2.0

|- class="sortbottom"

| align="center" colspan="2"| Career

| 21 || 7 || 12.5 || .326 || .222 || .739 || .9 || 1.6 || .3 || .1 || 4.0 || 2.0

{{S-end}}

Webster is the son of Tony and Cherry Webster. His father played college basketball for Hawaii and played professionally in New Zealand. His older brother, Corey, also plays professional basketball.

As of January 2024, Webster had a son.{{cite web|last=O'Donoghue|first=Craig|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/perth-wildcats-star-tai-webster-promises-to-entertain-when-he-plays-in-native-new-zealand-as-a-visitor-c-13112753|title=Perth Wildcats star Tai Webster promises to entertain when he plays in native New Zealand as a visitor|work=The West Australian|date=4 January 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240104071413/https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/perth-wildcats-star-tai-webster-promises-to-entertain-when-he-plays-in-native-new-zealand-as-a-visitor-c-13112753|archive-date=4 January 2024}} In May 2024, he joined his partner in the U.S. ahead of the birth of their child.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/NZNBL/posts/pfbid0PvzSPUtPEPzjPJcSYZyhu76H7i1994iAdgmRAzoSPEG634WHdCcrvpj6pYHEF3YQl|title=Tai Webster will depart the Night 'n Day Otago Nuggets following tonight's game against the Tuatara|work=facebook.com/NZNBL|date=16 May 2024|access-date=16 May 2024}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.wildcats.com.au/player/3692/30276/tai-webster Perth Wildcats profile]
• [https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tai-webster/008961/ EuroLeague profile]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170707091955/https://huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209116067 Nebraska Cornhuskers bio]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20190104175809/http://stats.washingtonpost.com/cbk/players.asp?id=122099 WashingtonPost.com profile]

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Category:1995 births

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