LoveBroker
Years ago

Tai Wesley's

This is an interesting article stating Tai Wesley may not get the special restricted player exemption next year once his current contract runs out.

He may have to play as an import if the exemption is not extended to Guam, could he get an import slot?

I don't see why not if the price is right....stats-wise he is better than Nnanna Egwu, Delvon Johnson and of course Derek Cooke Jr. Note : I am not suggesting any of those imports are no good, just that there are imports taking up a slot with lesser stats than Wesley.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/melbourne-uniteds-tai-wesley-fears-he-may-be-forced-from-league-next-year-20171213-h03xiz.html

Article below...

Melbourne United forward Tai Wesley will play his 100th NBL game on Saturday night and it should be a joyous occasion.

But Wesley fears his time in the league could soon be over if he is forced to play as an import next season.

Wesley was born in Utah but spent part of his upbringing on the island of Guam, a US territory in the Western Pacific, which plays international basketball in the FIBA Oceania region.

Wesley and his brothers still play for the Guam national team.

In 2014 the NBL and Basketball Australia allowed Oceania players to be classed as local players just like Australian and New Zealand players.

The idea was for promising talents from the smaller Oceania nations to play in the NBL, but the rule was largely used to sign dual internationals who had played US college basketball.

New Zealand Breakers signed Wesley under the rule and he won a championship in 2015 before moving to Melbourne on a two-year deal at the start of last season.

But the exemption rule was changed at the start of this season from an "Asian or Oceania" player rule to a "special restricted player" rule.

The change was enacted to encourage clubs to chase the best possible players from major Asian markets - with the aim to attract more overseas fans – and their contracts are not counted under the league's salary cap.

The NBL told The Age that China, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the Philippines and Taiwan were the countries for this season and before free agency each year the countries would be reviewed, with clubs able to propose potential additions.

With Wesley already under contract for this season the league allowed him to remain an unrestricted player and have spoken with his agent about his options for next season.

It's unlikely Guam will be added to the list of countries as it is too small to draw many viewers.

It's understood if Wesley chose to start the process to become a naturalised Australian or New Zealand player the league may allow his unrestricted status to continue while he goes through the process.

Wesley's wife and two young children are in Melbourne and he would love to finish his career in Australia, but he knows teams would find it a lot harder to sign him as an import.

"You go on these teams with a Dave Barlow or Thomas Abercrombie or Mika Vukona and you see this guy has notched up 250 or 300 games and you think 'man I will never get there'," Wesley said on Wednesday.

"So to get 100 is cool. If they let me continue to be a local I would love to stay in this league and finish my career here.

"If I can continue to play as a local in this league I would look forward to getting 200 games."

Wesley said his nationality caught less attention when he played for the Breakers although keen NBL supporters were aware of the Oceania rule soon after it was introduced.

"I was in a good situation where I was playing for New Zealand Breakers and everyone thought I was Kiwi – no one questioned it," Wesley said.

"Then I started doing these interviews and people realised I don't sound like a Kiwi or an Aussie so people started asking 'where is this guy from?' They had to pull up a globe and find Guam."

The NBL, Melbourne United and Wesley's agent are expected to continue talks as the season continues.

Melbourne United play Illawarra Hawks in Wollongong on Saturday night at 7.30pm.

Topic #42369 | Report this topic


LoveBroker  
Years ago

Isaac....so sorry I accidently posted it before finishing the thread title, which should be Tai Wesley's Special Restricted Player status.

Reply #661635 | Report this post


AngusH  
Years ago

He's safe for another contract or two, but it will probably limit how long he manages to bounce around the league once age creeps in.

Reply #661637 | Report this post


Zodiac  
Years ago

His contract expires at the end of the season and I remember hearing somewhere that from next season onwards he'll have to play as import from now on.

Reply #661638 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

"His contract expires at the end of the season and I remember hearing somewhere that from next season onwards he'll have to play as import from now on."

Where did you hear that???

Reply #661639 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Rule shouldn't change for Tai, he should get a spot as an import or move on. Didn't that Brisbane guard ( name escapes me- played at United) try something similar. I believe Melbourne only have two players contracted for next year.

Reply #661642 | Report this post


Zodiac  
Years ago

Where did you hear that???


I think it was from a commentator during a game early in the season.

Reply #661643 | Report this post


Zodiac  
Years ago

I believe Melbourne only have two players contracted for next year.


Moller & Adnam isn't it?

Reply #661644 | Report this post


Dome Rat  
Years ago

Holt has claim to a philippine passport but is playing as an American.

In short you have to be born in the country you have a passport for to play under that passport

Reply #661645 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Holt was considering/being considered for an "Asian player" rule which didn't exist at the time he played for Melbourne. They were going to bring the rule in, and get Holt to play as an Asian local.

Reply #661646 | Report this post


LoveBroker  
Years ago

"Moller & Adnam"

According to many these 2 will be the cornerstones of the United franchise.

Reply #661647 | Report this post


koberulz  
Years ago

I remember hearing somewhere that from next season onwards he'll have to play as import
Where did you hear that???
I think it was from a commentator during a game early in the season.


I have no idea what's happening here.

Reply #661648 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Yes I believe commentary did say Moller and Adnam. If the change the rules for Tai does it open up for other players, where do you draw the line. Australia starting to get a depth of players but so few spots in the Nbl.

Reply #661649 | Report this post


koberulz  
Years ago

If the change the rules for Tai does it open up for other players, where do you draw the line.
I would imagine any rule change for him would just specifically grandfather him in, similar to what happened this season.

Reply #661650 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Thanks kobe for posting nothing that contributes to the topic.
"I would magine" means nothing.

Reply #661654 | Report this post


LoveBroker  
Years ago

The article suggests they allowed him to continue as a special restricted player as he is still under the contract (when Oceania was recognised).

Next year Oceania is not recognised, and his current contract would have expired.

Reply #661655 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

"I would magine" means nothing.

“I would imagine” means “this is what I think will happen.” KR is giving his opinion, based on a precedent.

That is the worst troll of KR ever.

Reply #661656 | Report this post


Hogwash  
Years ago

Some third imports are bench players for their respective teams I would say Wesley is on par with some of them

Reply #661976 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

KR talking out of hi arse again.
If Adnam is the cornerstone of the United going ahead then every other team will be celebrating the W's.

Reply #661979 | Report this post




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