By Patrick Lujan
Tai Wesley greats Thunder center Steven Adams before tipoff. (photo by Mekeli Wesley)
Guam National Basketball player Tai Wesley ventured with his pro Australian team – Melbourne United – into America and almost pulled off an upset in Oklahoma City on Sunday.
Taking on the new-look Thunder with the addition of superstars Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, Melbourne just came up short 86-85 in an exhibition game.
Wesley, who had some sibling support from brothers Mekeli, Keli’li and Tg, played 30 minutes and scored 13 points to go along with five assists and four rebounds.
“Oh man, it was so cool,” Wesley explained about the experience of playing a top NBA team.
It was an opportunity for Wesley to go up against Paul George once again. They competed with one another in college with Wesley at Utah State and George at Fresno State.
However, not much time was available after the game for the two to hang out.
Wesley brothers Tai, Mekeli and Russ are all part of the Guam Men’s National Basketball Team. Tai and Mekeli were huge parts of Guam’s gold medal team in the 2015 Pacific Games.
Tai Wesley also greats superstar Russell Westbrook on the court. (photo by Mekeli Wesley)
Melbourne United flew all the way to OKC for the one exhibition game. They head straight back to Australia tomorrow.
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(AP/Carlos Osorio)
