Basketball: Corey Webster cut by NBA team

Corey Webster. Photo / Sarah Ivey.

Corey Webster's NBA run has come to an end - for now.

The New Zealand Breakers guard has been cut by the New Orleans Pelicans, and is returning to New Zealand after playing in the NBA preseason.

Webster latched on to the Pelicans after they were impressed by strong international performances for the Tall Blacks, with Webster initially fighting with three other guards for a guaranteed roster spot.

However, an injury to Norris Cole which will see him miss the start of the NBA regular season left the Pelicans scrambling for other guard options - first signing Euroleague standout Bo McCalebb before inking Nate Robinson to a one year veteran minimum's deal.

Those signings pushed the Pelicans over the 20 roster spots they were allowed to have in preseason, meaning Webster was the unfortunate player to be cut from the roster.

Webster played 21 minutes in three preseason games, totalling six assists and four points. Asked to play out of position as a full-time point guard, he didn't look out of place during any of his time on court, but didn't have the standout game which perhaps could have kept in in the mix for a longer period of time.

Now Webster is returning home, where he will link up with the Breakers for the remainder of the season.

"I will reset my goals and one of them is returning home to the Breakers and having a great season for them. I am on the radar of a number of NBA clubs and scouts now and I need to build on this with a great season for the Breakers to help the club and to help achieve my own goals," said Webster.

"I want to say thank you to everyone at the Pelicans for the way they have opened their doors to me these past few weeks. I have learned so much and felt like I belonged there, one day I hope to return and secure that NBA deal that I have dreamed about since I was a youngster. Now though it is time to get back to work with the Breakers."

His return will leave Dean Vickerman's side with a welcome dilemma, with the question of whether the Breakers will look to keep the impressive Everard Bartlett at the expense of Australian guard Shane McDonald.

Bartlett has turned heads during preseason and the first three games of the regular season after being signed as a game-by-game replacement for Webster. However, his three-point shooting skillset will likely be slightly marginalised with Webster returning. McDonald has been quiet to begin the campaign, but is more of a ball-handler than Bartlett, perhaps offering an extra dimension that the Breakers may wish to keep on board.

Breakers CEO Richard Clarke says the team will make that decision after the Breakers return from Perth.

"For now we are looking forward to Corey returning on the weekend, once he gets back and the team returns from Perth we will have some decisions to make around the roster, notably with Everard (Bartlett) who is covering Corey. Those decisions will be made after meeting with the coaching staff and talking through all options with them and Everard but we have a number of things to consider."

Clarke says that subject to all the necessary clearances coming through in time, Webster will likely suit up against the Sydney Kings next Wednesday - a return which would be a much-needed boost for a Breakers side lacking offensive polish, opening 1-2 and staring at some tough encounters over the next few weeks.