#1. This week's number one is former international power forward Nathan Jawai (208-86, college: Midland CC, currently plays in Euroleague). He led his Spanish team Regal FC Barcelona to a victory over the third-ranked Besiktas (2-1) 72-60 in the Euroleague in Thursday night's game.
Jawai was MVP of the game. He scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 24 minutes on the court.
Regal FC Barcelona (3-0) is placed first in group D.
So far his team won all three games in the Regular Season.
This year Jawai averages: 10.0ppg, 5.3rpg, 2FGP: 64.7%(11-17) in the three games he played so far.
He played for the Australian senior national team three years ago.
#2. Second place goes to an international center David Andersen (212-80, currently plays in Euroleague), who plays in Turkey. Andersen could not help Fenerbahce Ulker (2-1) in their last game on Thursday. Despite his good performance the third-placed Fenerbahce Ulker was defeated 83-75 on the road by the leading Real Madrid in the group A of Euroleague.
Andersen was the second best scorer with 13 points.
But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
Andersen's overall stats this year are: 6.0ppg, 2.0rpg, 2FGP: 33.3%.
He is in the roster of the Australian senior national team.
#3. The Australian player who performed third best last week abroad was an international center Aaron Baynes (208-86, college: Washington St., currently plays in Euroleague). Baynes was not able to help Union Olimpija (1-2) in their game against Panathinaikos (2-1) in the Euroleague, despite his very good performance on Friday night.
He was the top scorer with 16 points. Baynes also added 6 rebounds in 24 minutes.
But Union Olimpija (#4) was badly defeated 85-67 at home by the second-ranked Panathinaikos in the group A of Euroleague.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
Baynes is currently first on the league's list of best rebounders with 10.0rpg.
This year his other stats are: 15.3ppg, 2FGP: 56.3%(18-32) and FT: 66.7% in the three games.
Baynes has a dual citizenship: Australian and New Zealand.
He is also a member of the Australian senior national team.
#4. Small forward Joe Ingles (203-87, agency: Priority Sports, currently plays in Spain) is a teammate of previously mentioned Nathan Jawai. But that was another game of his team in Spanish ACB which we would like to mention.
Ingles contributed to an easy victory against the 12th-ranked CAI Zaragoza (2-3) 65-50.
He recorded 9 points and added 3 passes.
Regal FC Barcelona (3-2) is placed eighth in the ACB.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
Ingles' overall stats this season are: 8.6ppg, 2.0rpg and 1.8apg.
He is also Australian national team player.
#5. International power forward David Barlow (205-83, college: Metro St., currently plays in Spain) contributed to a 2-point UCAM Murcia's victory against the league outsider Lagun Aro GBC (0-5) 77-75 in the Spanish ACB last Sunday.
Barlow had a double-double by scoring 11 points and getting the same number of rebounds in 32 minutes.
UCAM Murcia (24-6) is placed in the ACB.
But the season is still in it's first stage and everything can happen.
This year Barlow's overall stats are: 6.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.2apg and 1.4spg in the five games.
He plays currently for the Australian national team.
#6. Center Aleks Maric (211-84, college: Nebraska, currently plays in Russia) was not able to secure a victory for Lokomotiv (2-2) in their game against Spartak St.Petersburg (0-0) in the Russian PBL. Despite his very good performance on Thursday night Maric was the top scorer with 20 points. He also added 5 rebounds.
But there are still lots of games to play and it's a long way to go.
Maric is currently fifth on the list of top scorers and also on the list of best rebounders (third place).
He has individually a very good season with high stats. Maric averages: 15.3ppg and 8.0rpg.
He is an international player who is currently on the senior Australian National Team roster.
#7. An experienced international forward Matt Nielsen (208-78, currently plays in VTB United League) managed to help BC Khimky Moscow Region in a victory against the sixth-ranked BC Donetsk (2-2) 72-58 in the VTB United League in Monday night's game.
Nielsen scored only 4 points in 10 minutes.
BC Khimky Moscow Region (3-1) is placed second in group A.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
This year Nielsen's total stats are: 3.0ppg, 1.5rpg and 1.5apg in the two games.
He is also Australian national team player.
#8. Power forward Mark Worthington (202-83, college: Metro St., currently plays in Adriatic League) couldn't help Radnicki KG (2-4) in their game against Partizan (5-0) in the Adriatic League. Despite his very good performance last Sunday Worthington was the second best scorer with 15 points. He also added 4 rebounds (went 5 for 5 at the free throw line).
It's Worthington's first season with the team.
Worthington is currently ninth on the league's list of top scorers.
He has very reliable stats this season: 13.2ppg and 3.0rpg.
Worthington plays currently for the Australian national team.
#9. Former international point guard Rhys Carter (190-84, currently plays in Sweden) contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Solna Vikings (4-2) 93-74 in the Swedish Basketligan on Wednesday night.
He scored 15 points and added 7 passes in 24 minutes.
Uppsala Basket (5-2) is placed third in the Basketligan.
Carter belongs to league's best passers (ranked #3) and also on the list of most steals (third place).
This year he has very good stats: 11.1ppg, 2.6rpg, 5.1apg and 2.4spg in the seven games.
Carter used to play for the Australian national team
three years ago.
#10. Swingman Brad Newley (199-85, agency: Beo Basket, currently plays in Spain) contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked CAI Zaragoza (2-3) 74-56 in the Spanish ACB in Sunday night's game.
He scored 7 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 3 assists.
Herbalife Gran Canaria 2014 (3-2) is placed tenth in the ACB.
Newley has relatively good stats this season: 10.6ppg, 4.6rpg and 1.6apg.
He is an international player who is currently on the senior Australian National Team roster.
#11. Former international guard Steven Markovic (190-85, currently plays in Adriatic League) is a teammate of previously mentioned Mark Worthington and both played together in the last Adriatic League game.
Markovic couldn't help Radnicki KG in their game against Partizan. He cannot count Sunday's game as one of the best ones.
Markovic scored only 3 points.
His team was defeated 91-80.
Markovic is currently sixth on the league's list of best passers.
He has averaged so far 3.4ppg, 2.4rpg and 3.6apg.
Markovic used to play for the Australian national team
three years ago.
#12. Former international guard Anthony Stewart (196-70, currently plays in Slovakia) couldn't help Svit in their game against Handlova in the Slovakian Extraliga, despite his good performance last Saturday.
He was the top scorer with 12 points. Stewart also added 7 rebounds in 31 minutes.
But his team lost 69-82.
Stewart is currently fourth on the league's list of best rebounders with 8.0rpg.
This year he also averages: 14.7ppg and 1.7apg in the three games.
Stewart used to play for the Australian national team
back in 2001.
#13. International power forward Daniel Kickert (208-83, college: St.Mary's, CA, currently plays in Ukraine) was the main contributor in Dnipro's victory against the league outsider BC Kyiv 75-67 in the Ukrainian Superleague in Saturday night's game.
Kickert was the best player in that game. He scored 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 25 minutes.
This year Kickert has relatively solid stats: 14.7ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3bpg and 1.1spg in the seven games.
He is also Australian national team player.
The list of other players, who all have Australian passport but never been selected to any of Australian national teams:
#1. Experienced Mick Pennisi (210-C-75, college: E.Michigan, currently plays in Philippines), who plays in the Filipino PBA could not help Barako Bull (2-4) in their last game. Despite Pennisi's good performance Barako Bull (#7) was edged 92-91 on the road by the higher-ranked (#5) San Mig Coffee in the Philippine Cup group.
He recorded 12 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in 39 minutes.
This year Pennisi has relatively solid stats: 11.3ppg, 5.7rpg and 2.0apg in the three games he played so far.
He has a dual citizenship: Australian and Filipino.
#2.Michael Kingma (208-C-79, agency: R.H.Consultancy, currently plays in Holland) was not able to help Groningen (4-1) in their game against M.Magixx (3-2) in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Kingma recorded only 4 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Groningen was badly defeated 83-64 in Nijmegen by the lower-ranked M.Magixx (#4).
It was Groningen's first loss after four consecutive victories.
Kingma has averaged so far 2.8ppg and 4.4rpg.
He is another player who holds two passports: Australian and Dutch.
#3.Adrien Sturt (209-C-86, college: Snow CC, currently plays in United Kingdom) was the major contributor in a London Lions' victory against the closely-ranked Cheshire Jets (1-5) 82-75 in the British BBL in Sunday night's game.
Sturt scored 17 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 20 minutes.
London Lions (2-5) is placed eighth in the BBL.
This year Sturt has relatively solid stats: 12.0ppg, 5.6rpg and 1.4apg in the five games.
#4.Lee Jeka (187-G-83, agency: Limelight Hoops, currently plays in Germany), who plays in the German ProA (second division) was not able to secure a victory for Science City Jena (1-5) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his good performance Science City Jena was defeated 87-79 in Cuxhaven by the much higher-ranked BasCats (#5).
Jeka scored 12 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 4 assists.
This season Jeka has relatively solid stats: 13.8ppg, 3.3rpg and 4.3apg.
He has both British and Australian nationalities.
#5.Josh Duinker (210-F/C-89, college: Richmond, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Caceres Basket (1-3) in their game against Planasa NV (2-2) in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division).
Duinker recorded 7 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 18 minutes.
Caceres Basket lost 69-75 in Pamplona to the higher-ranked (#7) Planasa NV.
Duinker has averaged so far 8.3ppg, 5.0rpg and 1.8apg in the four games.
He also holds two passports: Australian and Dutch.
#6.Triantafillos Tzakopoulos (187-G-85, currently plays in Germany) managed to help Duesseldorf Baskets to win against the closely-ranked MLP Academics Heidelberg 97-82 in the German ProA (second division) on Sunday night.
He scored only 3 points and added 3 passes.
Tzakopoulos has averaged so far 6.8ppg, 1.3rpg and 3.0apg.
He has Greek and Australian nationalities.
Blokotehna lands Dwayne Benjamin, ex Geraldton B. - 10 hours ago
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Newly promoted KK Blokotehna Gevgelija (Prva Liga) landed 24-year old American forward Dwayne Benjamin (201-93, college: Oregon). He played in the summer at Geraldton Buccaneers in Australian SBL. Benjamin managed to play in three leagues in two countries last year (!!!). In 29 SBL games he averaged impressive 26.4ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.7apg, 1.8spg and 1.0bpg. He helped them to make it to the semifinals. It was a very successful season in his career as he was selected to Australiabasket.com All-... [read more]
Newly promoted KK Blokotehna Gevgelija (Prva Liga) landed 24-year old American forward Dwayne Benjamin (201-93, college: Oregon). He played in the summer at Geraldton Buccaneers in Australian SBL. Benjamin managed to play in three leagues in two countries last year (!!!). In 29 SBL games he averaged impressive 26.4ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.7apg, 1.8spg and 1.0bpg. He helped them to make it to the semifinals. It was a very successful season in his career as he was selected to Australiabasket.com All-Australian SBL 1st Team and to the All-Star Game. The last season Benjamin played for Bakken in Danish Ligaen where in 5 games he had 12.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.4apg and 1.2spg. He also played 6 games in Basketball Champions League where he recorded 7.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.2apg and 1.0spg. Benjamin's college team won Pac-12 Tournament in 2016. He graduated from University of Oregon in 2016 and it will be his second season in pro basketball.
The race to snap up Australian big man Andrew Bogut (213-C-84, college: Utah) is hotting up as the seven-footer nears a return to action following his lengthy spell on the sidelines. The 32-year old's time with the Cleveland Cavaliers will go down in history, ending after less than a minute into Bogut's debut when the Aussie suffered a season-ending leg break. While the Cavs waived the 2015 NBA champion at the end of the year, they are now one of a number of franchises that are reportedly... [read more]
The race to snap up Australian big man Andrew Bogut (213-C-84, college: Utah) is hotting up as the seven-footer nears a return to action following his lengthy spell on the sidelines. The 32-year old's time with the Cleveland Cavaliers will go down in history, ending after less than a minute into Bogut's debut when the Aussie suffered a season-ending leg break. While the Cavs waived the 2015 NBA champion at the end of the year, they are now one of a number of franchises that are reportedly in the race to sign the fit-again Bogut. One of the best players in Australian history, interest is high Down Under as to where the centre will be playing next season.
Having been traded to Philadelphia from the Dallas Mavericks, Bogut was bought out by the 76ers before signing for the Cavaliers. But after fracturing his tibia less than a minute into his debut, the Australian spent the rest of the year watching on as his team-mates went all the way to the NBA Finals, losing to Golden State. While his 2016 wasn't great for a number of reasons, his stats remained consistent, averaging 2.9 points and 8.1 rebounds in just over 21 minutes per game. He might be in the twilight of his career, but the veteran still apparently has plenty to offer if the number of top teams looking to sign him is any evidence.
There are few big men as effective on the boards as Bogut, providing a big body on the paint and an experienced head for those pressurised moments. He's averaged ten points and 8.9 rebounds during a stellar 12-year career that started when he was the number-one overall pick in the 2005 Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. And when it comes to the free agency, there aren't many seven-footers who boast the experience and big game know-how as Bogut, and it's no surprise to see so many teams being tipped by the latest betting advice to be in the running for the finals next season now looking to add him to their rosters ahead of the new campaign.
One of those teams interested in Bogut is the Boston Celtics, who are in need of an experienced rebounder, and also have fellow Aussie Aron Baynes on their roster. It's a similar story for the San Antonio Spurs, who will be hoping Patty Mills will help swing a deal to bring the veteran to the franchise. Both teams wouldn't be able to offer him a starting role, but the two championship contenders will have big roles available for Bogut should he be interested.
Also in the race to sign the big Aussie are the Utah Jazz, home to Aussie duo Joe Ingles and Dante Exum - which could certainly play a factor in Bogut's decision. And then there is the nostalgic option, with the veteran's first ever NBA team, the Bucks, also very much interested in re-signing a player who enjoyed a very successful seven seasons in Milwaukee after drafting him in 2005. These two teams might not be expected to be in the running for the finals, but both could offer the 32-year old the chance to play for teams that would give him plenty of court time.
NZ Breakers' coach Paul Henare slams team's performance in 39-point loss - 2 days ago
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NZ Breakers coach Paul Henare would like to make a public apology to the people of Taranaki for his side's performance against Melbourne United on Tuesday night. New Plymouth's TSB Stadium hosted an Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) pre-season game between the two sides, with Melbourne cruising to a 101-62 win. While he said earlier in the week that the result wasn't their top priority, after the match Henare said the way the team played was a huge concern. "That was unacceptab... [read more]
NZ Breakers coach Paul Henare would like to make a public apology to the people of Taranaki for his side's performance against Melbourne United on Tuesday night. New Plymouth's TSB Stadium hosted an Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) pre-season game between the two sides, with Melbourne cruising to a 101-62 win. While he said earlier in the week that the result wasn't their top priority, after the match Henare said the way the team played was a huge concern. "That was unacceptable, and hopefully this team never puts anything close to that on the floor again," he said. The Breakers came into the game after beating Melbourne in Napier on Sunday, but were no match for the league favourites this time around. "Melbourne played well tonight, they came out and made some change defensively and they got after it. But in terms of us turning up, not one of us did and that's a real shame considering the good support we've had here." Led by import guard Casper Ware (178-PG-90, college: Long Beach St.) and big man Josh Boone (208-F/C-84, college: Connecticut), the visitors were a step ahead of the Breakers for much of the game to take a convincing, and rare, victory on New Zealand soil. Boone opened the scoring going 1-2 from the charity stripe after Vukona's first foul, however a hot start from Breakers import guards Edgar Sosa (190-PG-88, college: Louisville) and D.J. Newbill (193-G-92, college: Penn St.) putting the home side ahead. It didn't last long though, as Melbourne were able to claim a number of second chance points on largely uncontested offensive rebounds - much to Henare's dismay. From there, it was one-way traffic as the Breakers slumped to a 39-point thrashing. "We got schooled, and hopefully these guys remember that." The Kiwi side were only able to convert on 29 per cent of their shots, had twice as many turnovers as Melbourne, with the visitors also posting 20 more assists than their hosts. Henare said there was not a single positive to take out of Tuesday's game, aside from being able to take the team to a different part of the country. "Maybe the one good thing is that we got our a*** kicked and it is the pre-season. We've got an opportunity to turn a few things around, but they'll be hurting." The Breakers will now look to sort themselves out before their final pre-season game in Tauranga against the Brisbane Bullets on September 27. Their first game of the ANBL season is against the Cairns Taipans in Auckland on October 8. Courtesy of: stuff.co.nz
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