Basketball New Zealand

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Wellington Saints

Toby Robson, Dominion Post
It’s what Marquis Webb doesn’t tell you that hints at the sort of player and person the Wellington Saints have picked up for the 2008 Dominion Finance NBL season.

The American import jetted into Wellington this week without much fanfare, got down to practice, talked to The Dominion Post then boarded a ferry yesterday for a pre-season match against the Nelson Giants.

The 1.94m guard/small forward is from Paterson, New Jersey, 24 years old and recently graduated from Rutgers University with a double degree in history and labour studies.

But Webb doesn’t come with the big hype and ego associated with too many previous imports to arrive in Wellington.

“I live with my mom and my three brothers and younger sister,” he said when asked if he had a family. “I played at Rutgers and I started all four years. It was a great experience because I’m from New Jersey and my family were able to come out and watch me play. I had some great coaches and that’s why I’m where I am today.”

Webb’s just glad to have a chance to play after a short stint with the Anaheim Arsenal in the NBA Development league.

“I was not playing that much. I played a lot early on then my minutes got cut short and the coach told me to look at some other options. One of the assistant coaches knew Doug [Saints coach Doug Marty] and there was a connection there and here I am.

“I don’t know too much about New Zealand as far as the league, but I knew New Zealand was a westernised society and the people were friendly. I feel like I’m blessed to be here, I feel like I’m at home.”

What, no claims to 30 points a game? No big noting nicknames – remember Tony ‘Go Get It’ Jones and Michael ‘The Monster’ Robinson?

Webb could have mentioned he was affectionately known as ‘The Rock’ during his four years at Rutgers, starting 121 of 124 games and leading the team in his senior year.

He could have said he was the defensive player of the year in the tough Big East conference during his college career and that coaches always matched him against the other team’s best player.

He could have talked about the 28 points he scored against South Carolina State or the training camp with the Philadelphia 76ers late last year. But over-hyped talk of the NBA isn’t for this import.

“You have to be realistic and you have to fine-tune your game. This is an opportunity to come here and get better as a basketball player and it’s an opportunity to travel the world. Like I say, I feel blessed for the opportunity.

“I want to win a championship, to bring some energy to this team.

“In previous years I hear the Saints have won multiple championships but not recently, so that’s my goal here.”