Tohi Smith-Milner selected the top New Zealander playing abroad in last week's games

We bring you last week's top performances from New Zealanders who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.

Tohi Smith-Milner

   #1. This week's number one is an international power forward Tohi Smith-Milner (206-95, college: Polk State CC, currently plays in Australia). He led Kilsyth Cobras to a victory over the 15th-ranked NW Tasmania Thunder (6-10) 86-81 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game. Smith-Milner was MVP of the game. He recorded 25 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 36 minutes on the court. Kilsyth Cobras (10-7) are placed fifth in NBL1 group. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Smith-Milner has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.7ppg, 8.2rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 58.0%(69-119), 3FGP: 34.2% and FT: 75.0% in 17 games he played so far. Ex-Canterbury Rams player is currently a member of the New Zealand senior national team.

Brayden Inger

   #2. Second place goes to former U19 international forward Brayden Inger (203-99, currently plays in Australia). Inger contributed to Buccaneers' victory against the third-ranked Flames (16-6) 74-66 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday. He recorded 10 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Geraldton Buccaneers (15-6) are placed fourth in SBL group. Inger's overall stats this season are: 9.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 51.9%, 3FGP: 31.6% and FT: 82.4%. He played for the New Zealand U19 national team in 2017.

James Hunter

   #3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former international center James Hunter (208-91, college: S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia). Hunter could not help Knox Raiders (13-4) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his good performance the third-placed Knox Raiders (13-4) were crushed 106-66 on the road by the lower-ranked Spectres (#6) in the NBL1 group. Hunter was the second best scorer with 10 points. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. Hunter has relatively good stats this season: 12.1ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 57.7%(30-52), 3FGP: 40.5% and FT: 88.9%. Former Manawatu Jets starter played for the New Zealand national team two years ago.

Zane Meehl

   #4. An experienced guard Zane Meehl (188-86, college: Mid-Continent, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help Phoenix in their game against Brisbane Capitals (1-12) in the Australian State League (second division). He cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones. Meehl recorded only 3 points. Phoenix (#9) was badly defeated 103-83 in Brisbane by the lower-ranked Capitals (#14) in the QBL group. It was Phoenix's sixth consecutive loss in a row. This season Meehl has relatively solid stats: 10.9ppg, 3.8rpg and 2.5apg. He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian. Meehl used to play for the New Zealand university national team back in 2007.


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

   #1. Emmerson Potts-Broughton (183-G, college: Lee JC, currently plays in Australia) could not help Pacers (4-11) in their last game. Despite Potts-Broughton's very good performance the eighth-placed Pacers (4-11) lost 75-81 on the road to the lower-ranked (#8) Seahawks in the Big V D1 group. He was the top scorer with 22 points. Potts-Broughton also added 9 rebounds in 37 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his third season in pro basketball. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Potts-Broughton has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.2ppg, 6.8rpg and 2.1apg in nine games he played so far.

   #2. Zac Carter (203-F/G-89, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the ninth-ranked Phoenix (6-6) crushing them 103-83 in the Australian State League (second division) last Friday. He recorded 6 points in only 13 minutes. Brisbane Capitals (13-0) are placed first in QBL group. So far his team won all thirteen games in the Regular Season. It's Carter's fifth season with the team. This year Carter's overall stats are: 7.5ppg, 5.8rpg and 1.8apg in six games. He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.

   #3. Zeke Meehl (181-G-88, currently plays in Australia) led Phoenix to a victory against the leader Brisbane Spartans (12-0) 107-101 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night. Meehl recorded 11 points and added 5 assists. Sunshine Coast Phoenix (5-7) is placed ninth in QBL group. It was his team's first victory after six consecutive loses. This season Meehl has relatively solid stats: 12.9ppg, 3.1rpg and 2.1apg. He is another player who holds two passports: New Zealand and Australian.

   #4. Judson Seumanu is a teammate of previously mentioned Emmerson Potts-Broughton and both played together in the last Australian Local Leagues game. Seumanu was not able to help Pacers in their game against Seahawks (8-11). He recorded 9 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in 28 minutes. But Pacers (#8) lost 75-81 in Warrnambool to the lower-ranked (#8) Seahawks in the Big V D1 group. This year Seumanu's overall stats are: 7.8ppg, 4.7rpg and 3.1apg in 17 games.


Other top New Zealand players, who play abroad:

Tai Jack Webster (193-G-95) plays for Galatasaray in Turkish BSL
Steven Adams (213-C/F-93) plays for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
Aron Baynes (208-C-86) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
Isaac Fotu (203-F-93) plays for ratiopharm Ulm in German BBL
Maxwell Darling (196-F-0) plays for KK Vrijednosnice Osijek in Croatian Premijer Liga
Max de Geest (193-G-0) plays for New Zealand Breakers in Australian NBL
Corey Webster (188-G-88) plays for New Zealand Breakers in Australian NBL
Shea Ili (184-G-92) plays for United in Australian NBL
Shou Nisbet (196-G-97) plays for Tokyo Z in Japanese B2 League
Thomas Giles (180-G-88) plays for Norths Soul Sports Bears in Australian State League
James Paringatai (201-F-86) plays for Buccaneers in Australian State League
Isaac Miller-Jose (203-F) plays for Manitoba University in U Sports

Notice: The list above includes only some of the New Zealand playing currently abroad. Go to New Zealand Abroad Page to see completed list.