Ganymede 86
Years ago
Breakers sign Tai Wesley
The SKYCITY Breakers have followed up last week's news that Cedric Jackson has signed a two year contract to once again play for the club with another player signing, announcing Guam international Tai Wesley to the playing roster for the 2014/15 campaign.
Wesley has an interesting background that includes his recent stint with Paul Henare’s Southland Sharks in the Bartercard NBL, during which the power forward impressed with his scoring and rebounding ability, helping the undermanned Sharks into the Final Four weekend with 16 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
A Guam international, Wesley has a Fijian father and while he comes out of the American system at Utah State, he is not regarded as an import in the ANBL under the new FIBA Oceania Player Rule.
Henare spoke of what he has seen of Wesley at the Sharks and why he will be a good fit for the Breakers.
"He is a very versatile player, a very high IQ player, for a power forward he can handle the ball well and is a good passer and is mobile, a bit of a unique skill set and he brings a real versatility to the team, which will help us out.
“Tai is very good in the low post, I spoke to Gary Wilkinson about him when I was recruiting for the Sharks and Gary rated him highly as a post player, he has an array of moves down low where he can score. But he seems like a guy that will do whatever we need, rebound, pass, score, and has that versatility.
“He is obviously a very high quality person as well, he immersed himself into New Zealand in his short time at the Sharks and fitted in well. The new Oceania player rule is a great bonus, that was the reason we could get him in Southland but to have this caliber of player as a local is a big advantage."
Wesley revealed of another link to New Zealand and the Breakers that has led him via the Sharks to the North Shore based club.
“The contract between myself and the Breakers came about mostly because of Gary Wilkinson. He and I are really good friends and played college ball together for two years at Utah State so he actually recommended me to first go play with the Southland Sharks. He had a really good relationship with Pauli and since they were at a point where they needed a couple guys it worked out really well for me to step in and play. From there I think the Breakers saw me and, with Pauli being the assistant with the Breakers, we worked out a deal.”
Wesley is looking forward to the 'family’ environment that is renowned at the Breakers and spoke of his own large family growing up.
“I grew up in a BIG family. Not just big in numbers but also big in size. I have five brothers and one sister, and all my brothers are 6'3” or taller and all play ball. I have three older brothers who played division 1 college ball and my oldest brother (Mekeli) played six years pro in Europe. So basketball has been a big part of my life but another big part of my life has been my religion. At 19 years old I served a two year service mission for my church in Oaxaca Mexico.
Wesley has been married for two years and is looking forward to settling in New Zealand for the summer. The 28 year old has already heard plenty about the culture he is coming into at the SKYCITY Breakers.
“My expectations coming into the season are very high. I know the Breakers organization is very well known and respected and has a tradition of winning. I expect nothing less from this upcoming season.
“For me personally I would like to improve on the little things that make the difference when the game is close, things like rebounding, defence and setting screens. I think if I can improve on those things then I can help the team achieve our collective goals.”
Wesley will join the club in late August to begin preparations for the new season and will eagerly await the return of the club’s Tall Black players from the FIBA World Cup in Spain which gets underway in late August.
Tai Wesley Bio
28 years old
Guam International
US College Career with Utah State
After redshirting the 2004-05 season, Wesley did not join the Utah State Aggies until 2007–08 after he went on a two-year Mormon mission to Oaxaca, Mexico. In his freshman season, he shot 63.5% from the field, ranking sixth all-time at Utah State for a single-season. He also scored in double-figures 18 times, including three 20-point games. In 35 games (24 starts), he averaged 9.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
In his sophomore season, he was named to the WAC's all-tournament team and earned NABC All-District 6 second team honors. In 35 games (all starts), he averaged 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
In his junior season, he was named to the WAC's all-tournament team for the second-straight year and earned All-WAC first team and NABC All-District 6 second team honors. In 35 games (all starts), he averaged 13.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 27.5 minutes per game.
In his senior season, he earned All-WAC first team honours for the second-straight year. In 34 games, he averaged 14.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 29.2 minutes per game. In the 2011 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament semi-final, Wesley scored two free throws in the final seconds to defeat San Jose State 58-54.
