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COREY Webster has been impressing at New Orleans Pelicans NBA camp making it increasingly likely he will miss at least the opening of the NZ Breakers’ NBL title defence.

The Breakers open their season against Adelaide 36ers at Titanium Security Arena next Wednesday but Webster, star of New Zealand’s championship NBL campaign and also of the Tall Blacks’ 2014 FIBA World Cup, looks likely to make it through camp and into the Pelicans’ pre-season games.

The good news for Breakers fans is if he is eventually cut, he will return to the NBL at the height of his already stellar game.

STANDING TALL: A proud Corey Webster tweeted this pic in his New Orleans gear.

Of course then there also is the likelihood he could stick, the shooting guard known as “Clear and Present Danger” in a dogfight with four others for the last two roster spots.

It’s an eclectic quintet too with Webster battling six-year NBA veteran Chris Douglas (222 career games), five-year pro Jeff Adrien (153), guard Sean Kilpatrick — who last season played four late-season games for Minnesota — and Bryce Dejean-Jones.

Originally from Iowa State, Dejean-Jones looked solid for New Orleans during the NBA Summer League in July.

But Webster is much appreciated as the standout of the NZ Tall Blacks team at last year’s World Cup in Spain.

His championship was anchored by 26 and 22-point games against Lithuania and Turkey respectively.

“I’m excited to see that competition in camp,” Pelicans general manager Dell Demps said.

“They’re all good players.

“They’ve all had success.

“Jeff and CDR have done well in the NBA.

“Corey has been a really good player internationally and played with the New Zealand national team.

“Bryce played well for our summer league team and was one of the most efficient players on our team this year. He had a good summer.

“Sean Kilpatrick has been a productive player his entire life, everywhere he’s gone. He keeps it real simple. His whole career he’s been very efficient.”

NBA teams finalise their rosters on October 26 and are allowed to carry a maximum of 15 players. New Orleans has 13 players now on contract.

There are no limitations on how many players it can suit during the pre-season.

New Orleans has seven preseason games from Saturday through to October 23.

After facing the 36ers in Adelaide, New Zealand is at home to Townsville Crocodiles on Sunday, October 11.

The Breakers are away to Illawarra Hawks on October 14, then at Perth Wildcats on October 16.

They host the Sydney Kings on October 21 which potentially would be the last game Webster would miss if he doesn’t make the Pelicans’ final roster.

Their next game is at home on October 28 in the first meeting with their 2014-15 grand final opponent Cairns Taipans.

Webster would be back by then, unless he is playing in the NBA along with New Zealand’s other big name, Steven Adams at Oklahoma City Thunder.

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