Basketball: Corey Webster full of confidence ahead of NBA camp

Corey Webster is heading to New Orleans for a week-long trial. Photo / Getty

Corey Webster may be in elite company training with the New Orleans Pelicans, but he is full of confidence as he begins working towards securing a fulltime contract and fulfilling his NBA dream.

The Tall Blacks shooting guard feels confident working out and competing for spots with some of the best players in the world and insists he can't feel overawed heading into the Pelicans training camp at the end of the month.

The 26-year-old is intent on raising his game to match the killer instinct of the players around him and laughed off suggestions he might doubt his own ability or suffer from performance anxiety.

"No, I don't get that at all. I've got a good confidence about me," Webster told Radio Sport.

"I've played at international level and against some of the world's best players and I've always competed on the floor. I've always found a way to contribute and to try and do what I can do so I come in with a good confidence.

"If you come in here without the mindset, they're just going to eat you up and spit you out again.

"The killer instinct that these guys have over here in the big league's is just on another level so you have to take yourself to that level to be able to compete and I think I do that quite well."

Webster has just completed four days of introductory training and knows he needs to produce his best throughout the Pelicans four-day camp between September 29 and October 2.

The end goal is to land a multi-year contract and Webster is backing himself to claim a shooting guard spot.

"For sure. I don't think I'd be here if I was just making up numbers," he said. "They're looking for a guard, that's one of the main reasons why I quickly jumped on this opportunity and flew over here straight away.

"They've signed 13 players and there's two spots available, so I'll just be ready to come in and fight for that spot and try and prove to them that I'm good enough to compete at this level consistently."

The former Westlake Boy's High product admits he is living the dream and feels comfortable in the ultra-professional environment, but realises the hard work is only just beginning.

"It feels really good. Obviously it's been a dream of mine since I was a little kid. And once I first stepped on to the floor on my first day I was like 'this is it, this is where I belong'.

"When I started working out with the guys I realised I can play at this level and compete. I just knew this is where I'm supposed to be.

"I'm just grateful for the opportunity to try and prove myself and I'll give it my best."

The difference between the Breakers relatively modest training facilities and the Pelicans first class set-up was striking, but Webster is feeling at ease in his new surrounds.

"One of the big differences is obviously the brand new facilities. They are only two years old, so that type of stuff is a big shock. You walk into some amazing places but other than that nothing's been a shock so it's been good."