From The Southland Times (13 January 2016)

Tai Wesley follows Southland Sharks team mate Kevin Braswell to Wellington

Tai Wesley playing for the Southland Sharks                                         photo: Robyn Edie

It is confirmed, Tai Wesley has followed Kevin Braswell and joined the Wellington Saints for the 2016 National Basketball League season.

Wesley was one of the best players in the 2015 NBL where he led the Southland Sharks to their second championship in three years.

He averaged 18.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and shot at over 65 percent from the field.

The New Zealand Breakers forward had initially indicated he would like to return to play for the Sharks in 2016. However, when his 2014 and 2015 Southland team mate, Kevin Braswell, landed the Saints coaching job it become apparent Wesley would follow him.

"Tai Wesley is person that you have to have on your team. When you start building a team he is someone you have to have. Beyond the talent you see on the court he is a guy that defines the words "great teammate."  Braswell said.

It has been a great couple of seasons for the former Utah State player, winning an ANBL title with the NZ Breakers and then a NZNBL title.

"This being my first year coaching and I need guys who I can trust and who I know well so that they can help make the transition from player to coach that much easier."

To date this season Wesley is averaging nearly 14 points and six rebounds in 12 games for the Breakers.

"Tai is a dominant player who can take over a game in many ways but what I love about Tai is he brings it every day in training. He pushes guys to be better and that is what we need in Wellington to be in the hunt for the title. Guys who are gonna come to compete every day of the week." 

Wesley joins other former Sharks players Dion Prewster and Leon Henry who have already been confirmed on the Sharks roster.