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Tai Wesley

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Tai Wesley
Personal information
Born (1986-05-13) May 13, 1986 (age 38)
Orem, Utah
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High schoolProvo (Provo, Utah)
CollegeUtah State (2007–2011)
NBA draft2011: undrafted
Playing career2011–2020
PositionPower forward
Career history
2011–2012Den Bosch
2012–2013SPO Rouen
2013–2014Den Bosch
2014–2015Southland Sharks
2014–2016New Zealand Breakers
2016–2017Wellington Saints
2016–2018Melbourne United
2018–2019New Zealand Breakers
2019Brujos de Guayama
2019–2020South East Melbourne Phoenix
Career highlights and awards

Tai William Evans Wesley (born May 13, 1986) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Utah State Aggies, where he was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2011. After beginning his career with successful stints in Europe, he made a name for himself in Australia and New Zealand, winning two Australian NBL championships and three New Zealand NBL championships. Wesley also represented the Guam national team on numerous occasions.[1]

Early life

Wesley was born in Orem, Utah, to a Rotuman father and an American mother.[2][3] He lived in Guam from age 5–11 while his father worked at the University of Guam.[4][5] The family then returned to Utah where Wesley attended Provo High School.[2]

At Provo, Wesley played for school's basketball team and was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Utah by the Deseret News and the 4A Most Valuable Player by the Salt Lake Tribune as a prep senior. He averaged 16.7 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal per game during his senior season, while shooting 65 percent from the field. He led Provo to the state title and was named tournament MVP after averaging 19.3 points in four games.[2]

College career

After redshirting the 2004–05 season, Wesley did not join the Utah State Aggies until the 2007–08 season after he went on a two-year Mormon mission to Oaxaca, Mexico.[2]

Wesley started 24 games and played in all 35 in his first season at Utah State. He finished the year averaging 9.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists, while shooting 63.5 percent from the field and 72.2 percent from the free throw line.[2][6]

As a sophomore in 2008–09, Wesley started all 35 games and finished the season averaging 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, while shooting 59.2 percent from the field and 68.4 percent from the free throw line. He subsequently earned NABC All-District 6 second team honors. He was also named to the WAC all-tournament team after averaging 10.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists in helping the Aggies win the WAC Tournament.[2]

As a junior in 2009–10, Wesley started all 35 games and averaged 13.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 blocks.[2][6] He subsequently earned first-team all-WAC and NABC All-District 6 second team honors.[2] He was also named to the WAC all-tournament team for the second straight year after averaging 13.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists in helping the Aggies reach the final of the WAC Tournament.[2]

As a senior in 2010–11, Wesley was the cornerstone of the team, leading the Aggies in points, rebounds and steals per game. He earned honorable mention Associated Press All-America honors as well as being named the WAC Player of the Year. He was also named first-team all-WAC for the second consecutive season. He averaged career-best marks of 14.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, to go along with 2.1 assists per game. He started all 34 games, making it three consecutive seasons without missing a start to move to third in total career starts at USU (128). He also averaged 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game during the WAC Tournament to make the WAC all-tournament team for the third consecutive year while helping the Aggies win their second tournament title in three years.[3]

Professional career

Europe (2011–2014)

After attending a pre-draft workout with the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves,[7][8] Wesley moved to the Netherlands for the 2011–12 season, beginning his professional career with Den Bosch of the Dutch Basketball League.[9][10] In 41 games, he averaged 13.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.

For the 2012–13 season, Wesley moved to France to play for SPO Rouen Basket of the LNB Pro B.[11] In 33 games, he averaged 12.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Wesley returned to the Netherlands and Den Bosch for the 2013–14 season.[12][13] In 45 league games, he averaged 14.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He also averaged 17.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals in six EuroChallenge games. He was subsequently named to the All-DBL Team.[14]

New Zealand (2014–2017)

In June 2014, Wesley moved to New Zealand to play for the Southland Sharks.[15] He qualified as a non-restricted player via the FIBA Oceania Pacific Island rule due to his Fijian heritage and association with Guam Basketball.[15] In eight games to finish the 2014 New Zealand NBL season, he averaged 16.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game.[16]

As a result of his form with the Sharks, Wesley was offered a contract by the New Zealand Breakers to play in the Australian NBL.[17] He signed with the Breakers for the 2014–15 NBL season,[18][19] going on to earn player of the week honors for round 12[20] and helping the Breakers win the championship with a 2–1 grand final series victory over the Cairns Taipans.[21][22] In 32 games, he averaged 8.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.[23]

Wesley remained in New Zealand and re-joined the Southland Sharks for the 2015 New Zealand NBL season.[17] He was twice named player of the week[24][25] before earning Finals MVP honors after helping the Sharks win the championship with a 72–68 win over the Wellington Saints in the grand final.[26] In 20 games, he averaged 18.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per game.[16]

Wesley re-joined the Breakers for the 2015–16 NBL season[27] and was experimented at the centre position after he improved his fitness and lowered his weight during the off-season.[28] He started the season in good form before missing time in November 2015 with appendicitis.[29] He helped the Breakers return to the NBL Grand Final series,[30] where they lost 2–1 to the Perth Wildcats.[31] In 26 games, he averaged 11.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

For the 2016 New Zealand NBL season, Wesley joined the Wellington Saints.[32] He earned back-to-back Finals MVP honors after leading the Saints to the championship with a 94–82 win over the Super City Rangers in the grand final.[33][34] In 16 games, he averaged 15.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.[35] With the Saints in 2017,[36][37] he helped the team win back-to-back championships while earning a personal three-peat.[38] In 17 games, he averaged 19.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Wesley initially re-signed with the Saints for the 2018 season,[39] but ultimately did not re-join the team.[40][41]

Melbourne United (2016–2018)

On May 27, 2016, Wesley signed a two-year deal with Melbourne United.[42] He clashed with head coach Dean Demopoulos during the 2016–17 NBL season, which led to Wesley considering retirement at the end of the season. He averaged 8.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, which included games where he played only two or three minutes a game.[43]

Wesley was Melbourne's starting power forward in 2017–18 under new coach Dean Vickerman[43] and earned All-NBL Second Team honors.[44] In March 2018, he helped United defeat the Adelaide 36ers 3–2 in the NBL Grand Final series to claim his second Australian NBL championship.[45] He appeared in all 35 games in 2017–18, averaging 11.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 blocks per game.

Return to the Breakers (2018–2019)

On May 15, 2018, Wesley signed a one-year deal with the New Zealand Breakers, returning to the club for a second stint and on the final year of his status as a non-restricted player.[46][47][48] During pre-season, Wesley suffered what was his seventh broken nose in his career.[49] He appeared in all 28 games for the Breakers in 2018–19, averaging 14.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 blocks per game.

Brujos de Guayama (2019)

Following the NBL season, Wesley moved to Puerto Rico to play for Brujos de Guayama of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional.[50] In 24 games, he averaged 15.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 blocks per game.

South East Melbourne Phoenix (2019–2020)

On April 1, 2019, Wesley signed a three-year deal with the South East Melbourne Phoenix, a new franchise entering the NBL.[51] For the 2019–20 season, he was reclassified as an import player.[52] While his debut game for the Phoenix marked his 150th in the NBL,[53][54] he also injured his hamstring which ruled him out for nine weeks.[55][56][57]

On July 7, 2020, Wesley announced his retirement from basketball.[58][59]

National team career

Wesley represented the Guam national basketball team.[1] In July 2015, he helped Guam win gold at the Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea.[60] In November 2018, he played for Guam in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup pre-qualifiers in Thailand.[61] In Thailand, he played alongside his two older brothers, Mekeli and Russell, for the first time in an official tournament.[62]

Personal

Wesley is one of seven children of Susan and Hiagi Wesley.[2] His father is Fijian of Rotuman descent.[63] Wesley is the younger brother of former Brigham Young standout Mekeli Wesley, Utah Valley State graduate Russell Wesley, and 2003 all-state selection Tika Wesley.[2]

Wesley and his wife Chyna have three children.[58][64][65]

Between 2014 and 2018, Wesley was allowed to play in Australia and New Zealand as a non-restricted player under the now defunct "Oceania rule".[66] In April 2018, the Australian NBL granted Wesley another year as a local in order for him to begin the process of becoming naturalised.[44]

References

  1. ^ a b "Guam's Tai Wesley joins New Zealand NBL". FoxSportsPulse.com. June 17, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Tai Wesley Bio". UtahStateAggies.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Tai Wesley Bio". UtahStateAggies.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020.
  4. ^ "Q+A With Tai Wesley". NZBreakers.com.nz. July 22, 2014. Archived from the original on August 9, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  5. ^ Hinton, Marc (July 23, 2014). "Wesley arrival gives Breakers food for thought". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Tai Wesley Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  7. ^ "Wolves to workout Kanter, Williams on Thursday". USAToday.com. June 14, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  8. ^ "USU Hoops: Wesley's NBA look". SLTrib.com. June 16, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  9. ^ "EiffelTowers strikt Amerikaan Tai Wesley". OmroepBrabant.nl (in Dutch). June 15, 2011. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  10. ^ "Tai Wesley signs 1 year deal with Dutch team". usustats.com. June 15, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  11. ^ "ShamSports.com: Tai Wesley player profile". ShamSports.com. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  12. ^ "SPM Shoeters add Tai Wesley, David Gonzalvez". Sportando.com. August 7, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  13. ^ "Oude bekenden Wesley en Gonzalvez terug in Den Bosch". BD.nl (in Dutch). August 7, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  14. ^ "Meeste seizoenprijzen naar GasTerra Flames". iBasketball.nl (in Dutch). April 21, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  15. ^ a b Savory, Logan (June 5, 2014). "Southland Sharks bulk up their sagging stocks". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  16. ^ a b "Player statistics for Tai Wesley – NZNBL". FoxSportsPulse.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  17. ^ a b Savory, Logan (November 7, 2014). "Southland Sharks snare Wesley for second stint". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  18. ^ "BREAKERS SIGN GUAM INTERNATIONAL TO ROSTER". NZBreakers.com.nz. July 22, 2014. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  19. ^ "New Zealand Breakers sign power forward Tai Wesley". 3News.co.nz. July 22, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  20. ^ "R12 Player of the Week: Tai Wesley". NBL.com.au. December 31, 2014. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  21. ^ Anderson, Niall (March 8, 2015). "Ibekwe Historics Lead To Fourth Title For Breakers". NZhoops.co.nz. Archived from the original on January 13, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
  22. ^ "Grand Final Report: Ibekwe jumper wins Breakers the Championship". NBL.com.au. March 8, 2015. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
  23. ^ "Player statistics for Tai Wesley – ANBL". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  24. ^ "WESLEY AND FULLER ARE JOINT PLAYER'S OF THE WEEK". Basketball.org.nz. April 14, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  25. ^ "CRAIG AND WESLEY WIN WEEKLY AWARD". Basketball.org.nz. June 18, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  26. ^ Hyslop, Liam (July 5, 2015). "Southland Sharks beat Wellington Saints in tense NBL final". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  27. ^ "BREAKERS ADD ANOTHER TO THE CLASS OF 2015/16". NZBreakers.com.nz. May 15, 2015. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  28. ^ Hinton, Marc (October 4, 2015). "Small ball rules as NZ Breakers chase another Aussie NBL championship". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  29. ^ Hinton, Marc (November 12, 2015). "Setback for Breakers as forward Tai Wesley ruled out after appendix op". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  30. ^ Hinton, Marc (February 15, 2016). "In-form Tai Wesley expects double trouble from Melbourne in NBL semis". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  31. ^ "GF3 REPORT: WILDCATS BREAK NZ HOODOO FOR ANOTHER TITLE". NBL.com.au. March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  32. ^ Hyslop, Liam (January 13, 2016). "Wellington Saints pull off major coup with signing of Tai Wesley for NBL season". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  33. ^ "MOORE TAKES OUT NBL MVP". Basketball.org.nz. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  34. ^ "SAINTS CLAIM 9TH NBL TITLE". basketball.org.nz. June 6, 2016. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016.
  35. ^ "Player statistics for Tai Wesley". SportsTG.com. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  36. ^ Hyslop, Liam (March 8, 2017). "Star-studded Wellington Saints team roll into season with only one import - by choice". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  37. ^ Hyslop, Liam (May 18, 2017). "Tai Wesley's absence threatens Wellington Saints' undefeated record". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  38. ^ "SAINTS CREATE HISTORY CLAIMING THEIR TENTH TITLE". Basketball.org.nz. June 17, 2017. Archived from the original on January 26, 2019.
  39. ^ "Wellington Saints re-sign Melbourne United standout Tai Wesley for 2018 NBL season". Stuff.co.nz. January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  40. ^ NZhoops (April 20, 2018). "As a result, understand that Tai Wesley..." Twitter. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  41. ^ Egan, Brendon (April 24, 2018). "Wellington Saints look to send coach Kevin Braswell off in style with another NBL title". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  42. ^ "TAI WESLEY UNITES WITH MELBOURNE". NBL.com.au. May 27, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  43. ^ a b ""Crappy" 2017 Nearly Made Me Retire: Wesley". NBL.com.au. July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  44. ^ a b Ward, Roy (April 16, 2018). "Melbourne United put offer to Goulding, Wesley to leave". SMH.com.au. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  45. ^ "NBL finals: Melbourne United beats Adelaide 36ers 100–82 in game five to win the title". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  46. ^ "The New Zealand Breakers Sign Tai Wesley". NBL.com.au. May 15, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  47. ^ Hinton, Marc (May 15, 2018). "Breakers get their man – proven winner Tai Wesley coming 'home' on one-year deal". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  48. ^ Hinton, Marc (September 2, 2018). "Breakers owner Matt Walsh: 'We're still a Kiwi club, but this is a business'". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved September 3, 2018. ...a Guam-qualified American who is on the final year of his status as an unrestricted player.
  49. ^ Hinton, Marc (September 24, 2018). "Breakers forward Tai Wesley ready to shake off broken nose to play Phoenix Suns". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  50. ^ "Brujos firman a Tai Wesley". bsnpr.com (in Spanish). January 26, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  51. ^ "Tai Wesley signs with South East Melbourne". NBL.com.au. April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  52. ^ Hinton, Marc (May 25, 2019). "NZ Breakers owner Matt Walsh declares big moves are just around the corner". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved May 25, 2019. ...and most consistent unrestricted player Tai Wesley (who reclassifies as an import next season) also jump ship to the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
  53. ^ "Wesley ready for Throwdown battle". semphoenix.com.au. October 3, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  54. ^ Ward, Roy (October 3, 2019). "Early risers: Phoenix fire first shot to upset United". smh.com.au. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  55. ^ "Wesley Sidelined by Hamstring Injury". NBL.com.au. October 5, 2019. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  56. ^ Ward, Roy (December 3, 2019). "Lean Wesley on verge of Phoenix return". smh.com.au. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  57. ^ Hersz, Tom (December 30, 2019). "Tai Wesley: Feeling Good". NBL.com.au. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  58. ^ a b "Tai Wesley Announces Retirement". NBL.com.au. July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020. Wesley is currently living in Idaho with wife Chyna and their three young kids and can't wait to start his life as a normal dad.
  59. ^ Michaels, Jake (July 7, 2020). "NBL icon Tai Wesley calls time on playing career". ESPN.com.au. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  60. ^ Hinton, Marc (September 3, 2015). "Slimmed down Tai Wesley aims for expanded role with New Zealand Breakers". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  61. ^ Tomas, Jojo Santo (November 23, 2018). "Team Guam faces historic FIBA challenge". tallahassee.com. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  62. ^ Hinton, Marc (December 3, 2018). "Slam-dunk family reunion as Breakers star Tai Wesley makes history with Guam". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  63. ^ "Tai Wesley a prize catch for Southland Sharks". Stuff.co.nz. June 14, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  64. ^ Hinton, Marc (November 10, 2014). "NZ Breakers still mad but satisfied with NBL's response to referee howler". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  65. ^ Hurley, Bevan (January 31, 2016). "'Major' victory for basketball star as Internal Affairs drops baby name challenge". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  66. ^ Ward, Roy (December 13, 2017). "Melbourne United's Tai Wesley fears he may be forced from league next year". SMH.com.au. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
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