Webster Ready to Make New Memories

Lincoln - Senior Kobe Webster’s first trip to Pinnacle Bank Arena brings back vivid memories – for all of the wrong reasons.

Webster was playing at Western Illinois when the Leathernecks traveled to Lincoln in November of 2018. Nebraska won in large part thanks to holding Webster in check. The 6-foot guard came into the game averaging 19 points per game, but was held to a career-low three points on 1-of-9 shooting before fouling out in 24 minutes.  It would be one of only two times that season the two-time All-Summit League guard was held out of double figures. 

“First off, I never want to play like that again,” Webster said of that game. “I had a pretty bad game when we played here, but I’m excited to hopefully come into PBA depending on regulations and safety protocols. I’m definitely excited to get back there and play in front of a home crowd.”

Webster remembered the fans who were engaged for that Saturday afternoon non-conference game.

“It was crazy. All the fans knew who you are they do their homework,” Webster said. “They know your stats and info better than some of the commentators. It was a great environment to play in, and now I’m excited to be a part of that now.”

When Webster announced in early March that he was going to graduate from Western Illinois and be a grad transfer, he heard from several programs before an in-person meeting with NU Coach Fred Hoiberg and assistant coach Matt Abdelmassih convinced him that coming to Nebraska would be a good fit. 

“Coach Hoiberg was the only head coach I got to talk to in person,” Webster said.  “When I sat down with him and Coach Matt, they laid everything out and how I would fit into the system. With Coach Hoiberg’s experience and the 5-out offense, I felt like this was a perfect place for me.”

Thus began a unique summer for Webster and the Huskers, adjusting to the protocols during COVID-19 while getting used to a whole new set of teammates. Webster, who graduated from Western Illinois in May, moved to Lincoln in early June to get to know his new teammates and prepare for his senior year.

“It has been a fairly easy transition for all of us,” Webster said. “We all have really clicked both on and off the court. Now, we have to sure up some things on the court, knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses and figuring out how each other plays.”

Webster brings the Huskers an experienced playmaker who has three years of starting experience from his days at Western Illinois. In his tenure with the Leathernecks, he totaled over 1,400 points and dished out nearly 300 assists, leading the program in both scoring and assists in each of his three seasons. 

While Webster started all 28 games as a freshman, that early playing time played a major role in allowing him to emerge as one of the top backcourt performers in the Summit League the past two seasons.

“From a basketball standpoint, the game started to slow down after my freshman year,” Webster said. “I was able to see things 2-3 steps ahead instead of being caught off guard and was able to play with a better pace and control myself a little more.”

Last season, Webster averaged 17.1 points, 3.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game, ranking in the top six in scoring, assists and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.72-to-1) en route to second-team All-Summit League accolades. He totaled six games with at least 20 points, highlighted by a school-record 40-point outburst against Omaha.

While Webster’s experience and backcourt ability makes him one of Nebraska’s leaders, the senior has seen a willingness in his new teammates to share that leadership role.  Last year, NU had one returning player, while the 2020-21 squad features five returnees with power conference experience as well as an incoming class full of experienced players.

“We have a lot of guys who are willing to take that role and lead. We have multiple guys, and that makes it easier,” Webster said.