USA/NZL - Cornhuskers get Tall Black Webster

LINCOLN (NCAA/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - One of the many good and exciting stories at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Venezuela was the senior team debut of Tai Webster.

The 17-year-old point guard had a rough start to the event, struggling against The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

He had just six points and seven turnovers.

But then in 24 mesmerizing minutes against Angola, the 1.86m Webster scored on flashy drives to the basket and also buried one three-pointer after another.

He finished five of six from long range and had 21 points in the Tall Blacks' 68-64 win over Angola.

At the time, Webster didn't know precisely what his future plans in the sport would be.

Would he take up a scholarship and play college basketball in America, or might he turn professional in New Zealand or perhaps Australia?

Now we know.

Webster has apparently committed to play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, which is where Australia center Aleks Maric and Nigeria point guard Ade Dagunduro competed.

Nebraska had known about Webster for some time, but their secret was no more after the OQT, after Webster put on a dazzling display.

LSU, Virginia, Pittsburgh, North Carolina State, Wake Forest and Saint Mary's all grew interested after Webster's play in Caracas.

Saint Mary's is where many an Australian has played, including current national team guards Pat Mills and Matt Dellavedova.

According to reports in Lincoln, Nebraska, it helped that after Tim Miles became the Cornhuskers head coach, he named former Saint Louis assistant coach Chris Harriman to his staff.

Harriman, an Australian, is well known for his contacts and recruiting ability overseas.

Webster should be a leading figure for the Tall Blacks when they compete at the FIBA Oceania Championship next year and FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2014.

FIBA