The National Maori basketball team will be taking on the Apunipima Australian Indigenous Basketball team in a three game trans-Tasman series, starting tomorrow in Gisborne. Game two will be in Te Awamutu and the third in Tauranga. Head of Maori Basketball, Willy Taurima, says the Australians are the favourites due to the team being the defending champions and featuring some players, which will be led by ANBL veteran Tyson Demos (191-G-88). 'It certainly won't be a whitewash. They have a few stars and we are missing a few guys due their obligations with the Breakers, but we've recruited enough experience to really have a crack at bringing the title back home to New Zealand.' The New Zealand Maori team that's been named boasts two recently retired Tall Blacks, nine NZ NBL current players, and eight former NZ Junior Tall Blacks. Taurima says there is a great rivalry building between the two teams. The last two events were highly competitive, with both nations holding a title each. 'This is the third year in the event's history. The first year was in 2014 when it was a two game series. It resulted in a draw at one win each, but New Zealand Maori won the title on point differential. The second year, in 2015, we lost two games to one. All three of those games went down to the wire, with about five points in it.' This year the event is being taken on the road to towns that Taurima says has a proud Maori representation in their communities. 'We wanted to widen the opportunity for people to see international basketball. And these will be great games with that good old Australian/New Zealand rivalry.' Courtesy of: basketball.org.nz
Boncourt lands Amir Williams, ex Taylor Hawks - 8 hours ago
POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET NEWS
follow us on
BC Boncourt Red Team (LNA) landed 25-year old American center Amir Williams (211-113kg-92, college: Ohio State). He played in the summer at Taylor Hawks in New Zealand NBL league. In 14 games he averaged 13.5ppg, 9.9rpg (#3 in the league), 1.7apg and 1.6bpg. It was a very successful season in his career as he was awarded Australiabasket.com All-New Zealand NBL Center of the Year and selected to Honorable Mention. The last season Williams played at another team Iowa Energy in U.S. NBA-G-Le... [read more]
BC Boncourt Red Team (LNA) landed 25-year old American center Amir Williams (211-113kg-92, college: Ohio State). He played in the summer at Taylor Hawks in New Zealand NBL league. In 14 games he averaged 13.5ppg, 9.9rpg (#3 in the league), 1.7apg and 1.6bpg. It was a very successful season in his career as he was awarded Australiabasket.com All-New Zealand NBL Center of the Year and selected to Honorable Mention. The last season Williams played at another team Iowa Energy in U.S. NBA-G-League where in 29 games he had 5.2ppg, 6.4rpg and 1.3bpg. He can count that season as a very successful as was awarded Australiabasket.com All-New Zealand NBL Center of the Year and selected to Honorable Mention. Two years ago Williams was drafted by Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League) in first round (6th overall). The former Ohio State staris in his third season in pro basketball. Williams won D-League Soutwest Division championship title in 2016. He has played also professionally in Georgia (Energy Invest).
Isaac Fotu (ex Zaragoza) signs at Ratiopharm - 8 hours ago
POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET NEWS
follow us on
Ratiopharm Ulm (BBL) landed 24-year old New Zealander international forward Isaac Fotu (203-104kg-93, college: Hawaii). He has a double citizenship as he also holds Tongan passport. Fotu has played for the last two years at Tecnyconta Zaragoza in Spanish Liga Endesa. In 32 games he averaged 9.5ppg and 5.7rpg last season. Fotu received All-Big West 1st Team award back in 2014 at his college time. Fotu also represented New Zealand at the FIBA Oceania Championships two years ago. He has play... [read more]
Ratiopharm Ulm (BBL) landed 24-year old New Zealander international forward Isaac Fotu (203-104kg-93, college: Hawaii). He has a double citizenship as he also holds Tongan passport. Fotu has played for the last two years at Tecnyconta Zaragoza in Spanish Liga Endesa. In 32 games he averaged 9.5ppg and 5.7rpg last season. Fotu received All-Big West 1st Team award back in 2014 at his college time. Fotu also represented New Zealand at the FIBA Oceania Championships two years ago. He has played previously professionally also in Australia (New Zealand Breakers). Fotu attended University of Hawaii until 2015 and it will be his third season in pro basketball. Let's have closer look into His outlook:
A young fiorward with huge international experience and winning mentality. Has great spin moves, can easily dunk and can score. Also, he can played tough-as-nails defense. Great upside for the SF position.
Leon Henry's double-double lands him Player of the Week award among New Zealanders playing currently abroad: - 4 days ago
POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET CENTER
follow us on
Here is the weekly review of the top performing New Zealand players, who play currently abroad. Zac Carter (203-F/G-89) was the major contributor in a Brisbane Capitals' victory against the fourth-ranked Sunshine CR in the Australian State League (second division) in Sunday night's game.
[read more]
Here is the weekly review of the top performing New Zealand players, who play currently abroad.
#1. This week's number one is former international forward Leon Henry (200-85, college: S.Idaho JC, currently plays in Australia). He led Ballarat Miners to a victory against the second-ranked Dandenong Rangers (13-6) 100-87 in the Australian State League (second division) last Sunday.
Henry recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 14 rebounds. He also added 6 assists.
It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group SEABL-East. Ballarat Miners (13-7) are placed second.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
Henry has relatively good stats this season: 10.6ppg, 10.2rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2bpg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 58.3%(21-36), 3FGP: 18.8% and FT: 28.6%.
He played for the New Zealand senior national team five years ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international power forward Tohi Smith-Milner (206-95, college: Polk State CC, currently plays in Australia). Smith-Milner contributed to a Frankston Blues' victory against the fifth-ranked Bendigo Braves (9-12) 102-95 in the Australian State League (second division) in Friday night's game.
He scored 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Smith-Milner's second season in pro basketball. Frankston Blues (8-13) are placed sixth in SEABL-South group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial.
This season Smith-Milner averages: 8.6ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.4apg, 2FGP: 47.8%, 3FGP: 23.3% and FT: 70.6%.
Former Canterbury Rams starter played for the New Zealand national team in 2014.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former international forward James Paringatai (201-86, currently plays in Australia). He could not help Buccaneers (17-6) to beat Redbacks (14-11).
Paringatai scored 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in only 13 minutes.
The third-placed Buccaneers (17-6) lost 90-96 on the road to the lower-ranked (#5) Redbacks in the SBL group.
It was Buccaneers' fourth consecutive loss in a row.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season.
This year Paringatai's overall stats are: 4.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 2FGP: 45.6% and FT: 60.9% in 21 games he played so far.
He played for the New Zealand national team four years ago.
#4. Forward Dyson King-Hawea (200-92, currently plays in Australia) helped Spectres win their game against the second-ranked Dandenong Rangers (13-6) 87-75 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
King-Hawea scored 6 points.
It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group SEABL-East. Nunawading Spectres (15-5) are placed first.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season.
King-Hawea's total stats this season are: 6.6ppg, 4.2rpg and 1.4apg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 2014.
#5. U19 international guard Tobias Cameron (193-99, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help the league outsider Rollers in their game against Brisbane Spartans (13-0) in the Australian State League (second division).
Cameron scored 8 points, grabbed 6 boards, dished 3 assists and stole 3 balls in 19 minutes.
Rollers (#13) lost 76-83 in Brisbane to the leading Spartans in the QBL group.
So far Rollers lost all thirteen games in the Regular Season.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season.
This year Cameron's total stats are: 6.5ppg, 3.2rpg and 1.8apg in six games.
He plays currently for the New Zealand U19 national team.
#6. Guard Zane Meehl (188-86, college: Mid-Continent, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for Sunshine CR (8-4) in their game against Brisbane Capitals (7-5) in the Australian State League (second division).
He scored 7 points in 18 minutes.
Sunshine CR (#4) lost 72-79 at home to the lower-ranked (#6) Brisbane Capitals in the QBL group.
It was Sunshine CR's third consecutive loss in a row.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Meehl has averaged so far 7.4ppg and 1.5rpg in 11 games.
He is a former university international player as he played for the New Zealand team ten years ago.
#7. Former international power forward Dennis Tawhiti (198-90, currently plays in Australia) managed to help East Perth Eagles to win against the 14th-ranked Magic (4-18) 129-122 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Tawhiti scored only 2 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
East Perth Eagles (4-12) are placed in SBL group.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Tawhiti has averaged so far 8.2ppg, 4.4rpg and 1.1apg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
four years ago.
The list of other players, who all have New Zealand passport but never been selected to any of New Zealand national teams:
#1.Zac Carter (203-F/G-89, currently plays in Australia) was the major contributor in a Brisbane Capitals' victory against the fourth-ranked Sunshine CR (8-4) 79-72 in the Australian State League (second division) in Sunday night's game.
He scored 14 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 28 minutes.
Brisbane Capitals (10-2) are placed second in QBL group.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
Carter has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.1ppg, 5.1rpg and 2.0apg in 10 games he played so far.
Carter has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.
#2.Zeke Meehl (181-G-88, currently plays in Australia) faced previously mentioned Zac Carter in the Australian State League last game.
Meehl could not help Sunshine CR (8-4) in their last game. Despite his good performance the fourth-placed Sunshine CR (8-4) lost 72-79 at home to the lower-ranked (#6) Brisbane Capitals in the QBL group.
Meehl was the second best scorer with 14 points. He also added 9 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 27 minutes.
It was Sunshine CR's third consecutive loss in a row.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial.
This year Meehl has relatively solid stats: 12.9ppg, 3.6rpg and 2.5apg in 10 games.
He is another player who holds two passports: New Zealand and Australian.
#3.Zeb Lovell (197-G/F-93, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help Eastern Mavericks in their game against South Adelaide Panthers (2-15) in the Australian State League (second division). Despite his very good performance last Saturday Lovell scored 13 points.
His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season.
It's Lovell's first season with the team.
Lovell has averaged so far 8.2ppg and 1.3apg.
Copyright (c) 1998-2017 Eurobasket Inc. Disclaimer
WARNING:
Do not copy, redistribute, publish or otherwise exploit information that you download from the site !
Do not encumber, license, modify, publish, sell, transfer or transmit, or in any way exploit, any of the
content of the site, nor will you attempt to do so.
