Corey Webster captaining his beloved Tall Blacks may have been the stuff of dreams during a sometimes complicated but hugely successful basketball journey for the supremely talented Kiwi shooting guard, but the 35-year-old ‘walking bucket’ will have that honour when he suits up in the Philippines on November 21, and in Christchurch against Chinese Taipei on November 25 in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifying games.
It is some 16 years now since a fresh faced 19-year-old Webster debuted for the national team at the 2008 Olympic Qualifiers, since then clocking up 97 games in the black singlet, often in hostile environments and almost always against the odds.
Head Coach Judd Flavell had no hesitation in turning to Webster to lead in the Philippines and at home in Christchurch, where they joined forces in 2023 to take the Rams to the Sal’s NBL title.
“Corey and I go way back to his first formative steps at the Breakers when I joined the coaching staff, in my stints as assistant coach with the Tall Blacks, and more recently with the Rams as we helped Canterbury secure a national title.
“Corey has navigated some ups and downs in his career and in his life – but has emerged a much more mature and well-rounded human being – I saw that firsthand with the Rams and I have no doubt he is the man to lead this group into battle next week.
“One thing that has always been a constant is his love and passion for the Tall Blacks. You could never question his loyalty to the team nor what the environment and singlet mean to him. You can argue his best basketball has been played after hearing the national anthem, his battles along the way with some of the world’s best guards are testament to that, as is the respect he gets from those opponents around the world.
“I know how much this will mean to him, knowing how highly he values the Tall Blacks environment, the players that have gone before him, played alongside him, and are yet to experience pulling on the black singlet and embracing all that it means.”
Webster confirmed that line of thinking and love for this team when recalling the call from Flavell to make himself available, and then to captain this group.
“These decisions always need thinking about, especially with a young family and home life, but anytime I am available I am going to put my hand up until I retire from the game- which I haven’t yet,” said Webster.
“As soon as Juddy called I knew I would put my hand up, it is always an honour to put that black singlet on, no matter how long I have been playing for the Tall Blacks if I can get up and play a game, then I love being a part of it.
“Judd has had a massive influence on my basketball career – I was part of the first development group they created at the Breakers, I think Tom (Abercombie) was there, BJ (Anthony), me and a few others. That was my path to the Breakers and professional basketball and Judd led that development team and the work we did, way back in around 2006.
“I was delighted that Basketball New Zealand made the decision to give Judd the job, to keep it as a New Zealand led team and there is no better coach right now than Judd to take on that role. He is back-to-back Sal’s NBL Champion, in the past he has won ABNL championships with the Breakers and has been part of the Tall Blacks as a player and assistant coach, to me he is the perfect guy for the job.”
A humble Webster will carry few nerves when leading the team in the upcoming games in the Philippines and Christchurch.
“I have been a leader on the Tall Blacks for a few years, so I don’t think I will change much in the way I lead, it is more about trying to influence the next generation, the up-and-coming players. Teaching players about the culture of the Tall Blacks.
“There is no bigger honour than to lead your country in battle, now I am coming to the end of my career, this is a fitting and maybe perfect end to it all to maybe captain the Tall Blacks for a few games. I am just going to lead the best way I can, do what I do and help the young guys immerse themselves and learn about the Tall Blacks culture.”
At 35, there is no doubt Webster is coming towards the end of his decorated career, one that has delivered 4 New Zealand championships, 3 Australian Titles, an African championship, and numerous personal honours. The former Westlake High School and Harbour Basketball star has played all over the world, in Serbia, Greece, Israel, China, Italy, Egypt and Montenegro, and flirted with the NBA with pre-season games and trials in 2015 and again in 2017.
Always a confident player, Webster has that innate ability to step up to the level of those around him and against him, best exemplified by two tournaments that stand out on his storied CV.
Webster’s numbers and performances at the 2016 Olympic qualifying tournament in the Philippines almost dragged New Zealand to the Beijing Games, going toe to toe with NBA laden heavyweights France and Canada, posting 21.7 points per game (2nd ranked individual) as an under-sized New Zealand gave as good as they got in narrow defeats to both nations. Others to stand out were brother Tai, Tom Abercrombie, Isaac Fotu, and Mika Vukona, along with the emergence of a young Shea Ili on the world stage.
And at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, Webster went even better, posting 22.8 points per game (3rd of all players), 4.6 rebounds per game, and 5.6 assists per game (9th of all players) as New Zealand competed superbly with Giannis Antetokounmpo led Greece, perennial heavyweights Brazil, defeated a shell-shocked Montenegro, and earned a historic first ever win over Turkey to claim 19th place.
Webster hopes to add yet more to that stellar CV and can’t wait to lead the team out in Christchurch, where he has wonderful recent memories.
“I have a connection with the Rams from the championship win in 2023, it will be great to get down there in front of a packed crowd in that fantastic arena, Rams fans are very passionate and they love basketball and support basketball very well, no doubt they will turn out and bring that passion, I hope we can put on a good show for them.”
He also talks excitedly about the chance to return to the Philippines to play in front of some of the most passionate fans on the planet.
“They turn out in their tens of thousands and pack their arenas and love their national team. Playing in Manilla is something that not too many players get to experience, it is always amazing and to have a game over there in this window is a great experience for any player – I know it will be electric.”
Webster has the final word in his love for the Tall Blacks and what the team, teammates past and present, and culture has meant to him throughout his career.
“I was brought into the Tall Blacks as a teenager and have been part of the group for a long time, essentially growing up around these guys. I have always felt comfortable around this group and put in the hard work to be a member of this team for many years. I hold the Tall Blacks and the environment in high regard, they are a group and people I can reach out to and always were there for me when I was going through anything or when times were tough.
“Those challenges early in my career are part of my story and have helped me become a better person and a better professional. You are growing up and suddenly you are in this professional atmosphere that you know nothing about, you are still a young kid and there was a lot of learnings for me. But the Tall Blacks were always there for me, to help me through those times. I have a lot of love for this team and the culture, we have created such a beautiful thing and there is so much pride in playing for the Tall Blacks, hopefully I can continue for some time yet – while the body holds up!”
Tall Blacks Roster to play FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers
Taylor Britt, Guard, Canterbury Rams, 28 years old, 27 games for New Zealand
Corey Webster, Guard, Auckland Tuatara, 35, 97 games, Captain
Kaia Isaac, Guard, BNZ Breakers/Canterbury Rams, 21, 0 games
Flyn Cameron, Guard, Melbourne United/Taranaki Airs, 24, 26 games
Izayah Mauriohooho Le’afa, Guard, Sydney Kings/Wellington Saints, 27, 25 games
Walter Brown, Guard/Forward, Tasmania Jackjumpers/Canterbury Rams, 21, 14 games
Hyrum Harris, Forward, Perth Wildcats/Wellington Saints, 28, 17 games
Tom Vodanovich, Forward, Southeast Melbourne Phoenix/Auckland Tuatara, 30, 14 games
Oscar Goodman, Forward, NBA Global Academy/New Plymouth Boys, 17, 0 games
Max Darling, Forward, BNZ Breakers/Canterbury Rams, 24, 4 games
Sam Mennenga, Forward/Centre, BNZ Breakers, 22, 8 games
Sam Waardenburg, Centre/Forward, Cairns Taipans, 25, 1 game
Tyrell Harrison, Centre, Brisbane Bullets, 25, 10 games
Judd Flavell Head Coach
Michael Fitchett Asstistant Coach
Aaron Young Asstistant Coach
Logan Poloai Doctor
Steve McAdam Physiotherapist
Paul Minehan Massage Therapist/Logistics
Dave Wildash Manager
Tall Blacks Schedule – Asia Cup Qualifiers 2025
22 Feb 2024 – NZL vs Chinese Taipei (away): WON 89-69
25 Feb 2024 – NZL vs Hong Kong (Auckland): WON 88-49
21 Nov 2024 – NZL vs Philippines (away)
25 Nov 2024 – NZL vs Chinese Taipei (Christchurch): 7pm, Wolfbrook Arena
20 Feb 2025 – NZL vs Hong Kong (away)
23 Feb 2025 – NZL vs Philippines (New Zealand)
5-17 Aug 2025 – FIBA Asia Cup 2025 (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
Get tickets now for Tall Blacks vs Chinese Taipei; Monday 25 November in Christchurch: Tall BlackTICKETS
