“Wasn’t even a second thought”: Why Webster jumped at his Sixers chance

Adelaide 36ers recruit Corey Webster says he didn’t think twice about joining the club when the opportunity arose.

Webster was signed as an injury replacement for his Tall Blacks teammate Flynn Cameron, who is recovering from an ankle injury.

A veteran of 287 NBL games and winner of three NBL championships, Webster has been out of the country playing in New Zealand and in China for the last two seasons but says when the call came from Sixers coach Trevor Gleeson about a possible return, he didn’t need long to make up his mind.

“I was overseas in China playing in some random tournaments here and there,” he explained during a press conference on Friday morning.

“So, you know, when I got the call and (they) said that they were interested, there wasn't even a second thought.

“It was like, ‘yep’, a chance to play for a championship calibre team, a great coach, be back with Bryce (Cotton) - obviously, we played together in Perth, and we’ve got a great relationship.

“So man, I didn't even think twice. If they wanted me, I'll be there.”

He said Gleeson had a simple role for him, and he was excited to work with the five-time championship winning coach.

“Obviously, we all know how great Trevor is as a coach,” Webster said.

“He has been around for a long time. We worked together a little bit in the past with our NBL trip to China so (I’m) a little bit familiar with him and his style.

“He kind of just said ‘be yourself out there. We all know what you can do on the floor’ and whatever's needed of me of the time that I do get, I'll try and contribute to winning.”

After 20 hours in transit from China to Auckland for a stop home to see his three children for a night, then onto Adelaide on Tuesday night, Webster joined the 36ers’ shootaround on Wednesday morning before suiting up that night for the game against Melbourne United.

While he only saw 4:36 of gametime and admitted he wasn’t able to find any rhythm, the 37-year-old enjoyed the experience of playing in front of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre crowd.

“It was amazing, man,” he smiled. “It was loud in there during that (last quarter) run, and that's obviously the energy that you need as a team.

“Everyone feeds off that atmosphere, and it was great.

“I heard that I think Adelaide's had like three years in a row, sold out crowds or something like that so that's just amazing for the sport overall, and obviously Adelaide, the city.

“It's great to be a part of and I'm sure they’re going to keep growing, but it was just an amazing atmosphere.”

After taking part in his first full training session with the team on Friday, Webster will join the group for the trip to Sydney, for what will be a rematch of last season’s dramatic Championship Series.

Webster wasn’t part of the narrow loss in overtime of game five, but given his own championship experience has some advice for his new teammates around how to handle the rematch.

“I know a few of the guys probably have that in the back of their mind, but, you know, in this game, you’ve got to kind of stay in the moment, focus on what you can control in that moment and just turn up and play your best game,”  he said.

“Obviously, they got so close to winning that championship last year, but you don't really want to go in there kind of focussing on the past and then that stuff.

“Just be in the moment and try and play Adelaide 36ers basketball.”

Sunday’s game against Sydney tips off at 2:30pm ACDT. You can watch it live on ESPN via Kayo or Disney+.

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