Ben Simmons selected the top Australian playing abroad in last week's games

Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of Australians who are currently playing abroad.

Ben Simmons

   #1. This week's number one is former international power forward Ben Simmons (208-96, college: LSU, currently plays in NBA). Simmons was the major contributor in a Philadelphia 76ers' victory against the Golden State Warriors (22-24) 108-98 in the NBA last Tuesday. He scored 22 points, had 8 rebounds and dished 4 assists. The Philadelphia 76ers have a solid 32-14 record this season. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. It's Simmons' fifth year with the team. Simmons has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 15.9ppg, 7.9rpg, 7.5apg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 56.2%(231-411), 3FGP: 33.3% and FT: 64.4%. Simmons played for the Australian senior national team seven years ago.

Joe Ingles

   #2. Second place goes to an experienced former international small forward Joe Ingles (203-87, currently plays in NBA). He led Utah Jazz to an easy victory against the Chicago Bulls (19-25) crushing them 120-95 in the NBA on Monday night. Ingles scored 17 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 25 minutes. The Utah Jazz has a very good 34-11 record this season. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. Ingles is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his seventh year in Utah Jazz's roster. He has very impressive stats this season: 12.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 4.3apg, 2FGP: 64.8%(59-91), 3FGP: 48.9%(111-227) and FT: 88.2% in 41 games he played so far. Ingles played for the Australian national team in 2019.

Patrick Mills

   #3. The Australian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international point guard Patrick Mills (183-88, college: St.Mary's, CA, currently plays in NBA). He could not help the San Antonio Spurs (23-20) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Mills' very good performance the San Antonio Spurs (23-20) were crushed 134-101 on the road by the Los Angeles Clippers. He was the second best scorer with 17 points. Mills also added 3 passes. Mills has been at the team for nine years. This season he has very high stats. Mills averages: 12.9ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.5apg, 2FGP: 53.6%, 3FGP: 39.4% and FT: 91.1%(51-56). He played for the Australian national team two years ago.

Brock Motum

   #4. Power forward Brock Motum (208-90, college: WSU, currently plays in Turkey) was not able to help Galatasaray (23-3) in their last game. Despite Motum's very good performance Galatasaray lost 101-105 on the opponent's court to the much lower-ranked (#13) Buyukcekmece. He was the second best scorer with 19 points in 35 minutes. The Regular Season already ended. Motum has relatively good stats this year: 14.5ppg, 3.6rpg and 1.7apg in 25 games. He used to play for the Australian national team back in 2016.

Angus Brandt

   #5. Former international center Angus Brandt (208-89, college: Oregon St., currently plays in Japan) was not able to secure a victory for Shiga L-Stars (16-31) in their last game. Despite his good performance the seventh-placed Shiga L-Stars (16-31) lost 75-90 at home to the higher-ranked (#3) Osaka Evessa in the West group. Brandt had a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting 18 rebounds. He also added 7 assists in 35 minutes. It was Shiga L-Stars' fifth consecutive loss in a row. This year Brandt has relatively solid stats: 12.1ppg, 8.7rpg and 3.4apg in 45 games. He used to play for the Australian national team three years ago.

Nick Kay

   #6. Power forward Nick Kay (206-92, college: MSU Denver, currently plays in Spain) led Real Betis to a victory against the seventh-ranked Joventut (15-11) 88-78 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Sunday. Kay recorded 12 points. Coosur Real Betis Sevillais placed 12th in the Liga Endesa. It's Kay's first season with the team. His overall stats this year are: 9.1ppg, 6.3rpg and 1.3apg. Kay is a former international player as he played for the Australian senior team two years ago.

Aron Baynes

   #7. Former international center Aron Baynes (208-86, college: WSU, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the Toronto Raptors (18-28) in their game against the Phoenix Suns (31-14) in the NBA. He scored 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. The Toronto Raptors (18-28) were defeated 104-100 in Phoenix by the Suns. Baynes' overall stats this season are: 5.9ppg and 5.2rpg. He used to play for the Australian national team two years ago.

Rhys Vague

   #8. Forward Rhys Vague (206-96, currently plays in Japan) contributed to a Kagawa FA's victory against the eighth-ranked Orange Vikings (16-31) 82-77 in the Japanese B2 League last Saturday. Vague scored 8 points, had 14 rebounds, passed 4 assists and added 2 blocks. Kagawa Five Arrows (26-26) are placed fourth in West group. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. Vague's overall stats this season are: 9.9ppg, 8.7rpg and 1.7apg. He used to play for the Australian national team back in 2013.

Josh Wilcher

   #9. Former international point guard Josh Wilcher (178-91, college: Cent.Wyoming, currently plays in United Kingdom) helped Bristol Acadamy Flyers win their game against the closely-ranked Worcester Wolves (2-4) crushing them 82-62 in the British BBL last Friday. He scored 6 points and added 7 assists in 23 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Bristol Academy Flyers (2-4) is placed third in the BBL. This year Wilcher's overall stats are: 9.8ppg, 1.8rpg and 4.7apg in 13 games. He used to play for the Australian national team twelve years ago.


The list of other players, who all have Australian passport but never been selected to any of Australian national teams:

   #1. Kyrie Irving (190-G-92, college: Duke, currently plays in NBA) led Brooklyn Nets to a victory over the Washington Wizards (15-28) 113-106 in the NBA in Sunday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Irving recorded 28 points (!!!), 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals (made all of his seven free throws) in 35 minutes. The Brooklyn Nets have a solid 31-15 record this season. Irving has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 28.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 5.7apg and 1.2spg in 31 games he played so far. Irving is a naturalized American. Strangely he has never played in Australia.

   #2. Lachlan Anderson (206-F-97, college: EKU, currently plays in North Macedonia) was the main contributor in a TFT Skopje's victory against the tenth-ranked MZT Skopje II (6-13) 90-74 in a derby game in the North Macedonian Prva Liga on Sunday night. Anderson was MVP of the game. He recorded 20 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Anderson's third season in pro basketball. KK TFT Skopje (12-4) is placed second in the Prva Liga. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. It's Anderson's first year with the team. This season he has very high stats. Anderson averages: 18.5ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.7apg and 1.1spg.

   #3. Venkatesha Jois (203-F-93, college: EWU, currently plays in Serbia) contributed to an easy victory against the 11th-ranked Napredak (11-17) crushing them 102-74 in the Serbian KLS on Saturday night. He recorded 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 24 minutes. KK Pirot (8-18) is placed 16th in the KLS. It was his team's first victory after four consecutive loses. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. This year Jois' overall stats are: 10.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.7apg and 1.3spg in seven games.

   #4. Jesse Hunt (203-F-97, college: EWU, currently plays in Germany) could not help Rasta Vechta (1-2) in their last game. Despite Hunt's good performance Rasta Vechta was crushed 103-79 on the road by the lower-ranked (#4) BG Goettingen. He recorded 10 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 21 minutes. This year Hunt's overall stats are: 8.1ppg and 6.2rpg in 13 games.

   #5. Experienced Josh Green (196-G-0, college: Arizona, currently plays in NBA) was not able to help the Dallas Mavericks in their game against the Indiana Pacers (21-23) in the NBA. He scored 7 points. The Dallas Mavericks (23-21) were defeated 109-94 in Indianapolis by the Indiana Pacers. Green's overall stats this season are: 2.4ppg and 1.8rpg.

   #6. Dominic Gilbert (198-G/F-96, college: UBC, currently plays in Holland) contributed to an easy victory against the leader Leiden 106-90 in the Dutch DBL in Saturday night's game. He recorded 6 points and added 3 passes in 17 minutes. This year Gilbert's overall stats are: 6.1ppg, 3.6rpg and 1.6apg in 13 games. He has a dual citizenship: Australian and Croatian.

   #7. Marshall Nelson (188-G-94, college: WBU, currently plays in Iceland) was not able to secure a victory for one of league's weakest teams Grindavik (5-4) in their last game. Despite Nelson's good performance Grindavik was crushed 115-82 at home by the leading Keflavik. He scored 11 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 9 assists in 26 minutes. Nelson has very impressive stats this year: 17.7ppg, 3.9rpg, 5.9apg and 1.4spg in seven games. He is another player who holds two passports: Belgian and Australian.

   #8. Hayden Blankley (198-G, currently plays in NCAA2) contributed to a 1-point West Texas A&M University's victory against the Lincoln Memorial University 87-86 in the NCAA2 in Thursday night's game. Blankley recorded 15 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Blankley's overall stats this season are: 4.8ppg and 3.0rpg.

   #9. Ryan Beisty (200-F-95, college: Regis Univ., currently plays in United Kingdom) managed to help Plymouth University Raiders to win against the league leader Manchester Giants crushing them 101-80 in the British BBL on Sunday night. Beisty scored only 3 points. Beisty's total stats this season are: 3.2ppg and 2.5rpg. He has both Australian and British nationalities.

   #10. Timothy Kearney (202-SG-86, currently plays in Sweden) contributed to a BC Lulea's victory against the league outsider Fryshuset 102-93 in the Swedish Basketligan in Friday night's game. Kearney recorded only 3 points in 12 minutes. This year Kearney's total stats are: 3.6ppg and 2.4rpg in 24 games. He also holds two passports: Australian and Swedish.