Brayden Inger selected the top New Zealander playing abroad in last week's games

- August 2, 2019

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

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.

Brayden Inger

#1. This week's number one is former U19 international forward Brayden Inger (203-99, currently plays in Australia). Inger could not help Buccaneers (19-7) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his good performance the third-placed Buccaneers (19-7) were crushed 110-84 on the road by the leading Lightning in the SBL group. Inger recorded 12 points. The Regular Season already ended. It's Inger's first season with the team. This year he averages: 9.5ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.9apg, 1.5spg, 3FGP: 36.3% and FT: 83.3%. Inger played for the New Zealand U19 national team two years ago.

Tohi Smith-Milner

#2. Second place goes to an international power forward Tohi Smith-Milner (206-95, college: Polk State CC, currently plays in Australia). He was not able to help Kilsyth Cobras in their game against Ballarat Miners (16-4) in the Australian State League (second division), despite his very good performance on Saturday night. Smith-Milner had a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 11 rebounds in 30 minutes. But Kilsyth Cobras (#5) lost 66-80 in Wendouree to the leading Ballarat Miners in the NBL1 group. Smith-Milner has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.5ppg, 8.5rpg, 2.0apg, 2FGP: 56.9%(87-153), 3FGP: 36.0% and FT: 70.9% in 21 games he played so far. Ex-Canterbury Rams player is in the roster of the New Zealand senior national team.

James Paringatai

#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was an experienced former international forward James Paringatai (201-86, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Brayden Inger and both played together in the last Australian State League game. Paringatai. He was not able to secure a victory for Buccaneers (19-7) in their game against Lightning (16-6). Paringatai did not beat the league record on Saturday evening. He recorded only 2 points. Buccaneers (#3) were crushed 110-84 in North Lake by the leading Lightning in the SBL group. Paringatai's overall stats this season are: 2.8ppg, 1.4rpg, 2FGP: 47.5%, 3FGP: 25.0% and FT: 54.5%. He played for the New Zealand national team six years ago.

Zane Meehl

   #4. Guard Zane Meehl (188-86, college: Mid-Continent, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Sunshine Coast Phoenix to win against the third-ranked Thunder (12-5) 77-71 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday. Meehl recorded only 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Sunshine Coast Phoenix (7-9) is placed ninth in QBL group. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Meehl has relatively good stats this season: 10.9ppg, 3.4rpg and 2.3apg. 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. Zac Carter (203-F/G-89, currently plays in Australia) led Brisbane Capitals to a victory against the sixth-ranked Rockhampton Rockets (10-6) 106-95 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game. He recorded 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 34 minutes. Brisbane Capitals (16-1) are placed first in QBL group. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. It's Carter's sixth season with the team. This year Carter averages: 7.5ppg, 5.5rpg and 1.6apg in 10 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.

   #2. Thomas Giles (180-G-88, currently plays in Australia) contributed to a Norths Soul Sports Bears' victory against the fifth-ranked Sydney City Comets (14-7) 79-74 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game. Giles recorded 6 points. Northern Suburbs Bears (15-6) are placed third in WARATAH group. It was his team's ninth consecutive victory in a row. They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. Giles has been at the team for four years. His overall stats this season are: 2.6ppg, 2.0rpg and 1.7apg.

   #3. Judson Seumanu, who plays in the Australian Local Leagues (fifth division) could not help Pacers (4-14) to beat Black Angels (8-16). Seumanu recorded 8 points and added 5 assists in 17 minutes. Pacers (#9) lost 74-79 on the road to the lower-ranked (#10) Black Angels in the Big V D1 group. It was Pacers' fifth consecutive loss in a row. The Regular Season already ended. This year Seumanu's overall stats are: 7.7ppg, 4.3rpg and 2.8apg in 21 games.

   #4. Zeke Meehl (181-G-88, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Sunshine Coast Phoenix in a victory against the third-ranked Thunder (12-5) 77-71 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game. Meehl recorded only 2 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 26 minutes. Sunshine Coast Phoenix (7-9) is placed ninth in QBL group. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is quite important. Meehl has relatively good stats this year: 11.5ppg, 2.9rpg and 2.6apg in 14 games. He is another player who holds two passports: New Zealand and Australian.

   #5. Jaxson Macfarlane (196-F-98, currently plays in Australia) helped Gators win their game against the 11th-ranked Giants (6-18) 83-70 in the Australian Local Leagues (fifth division) on Sunday night. He recorded 6 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 22 minutes. Shepparton Gators (18-5) are placed second in Big V D1 group. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. This year Macfarlane's overall stats are: 7.2ppg and 4.6rpg in 22 games.

   #6. Javaan Mumtaz (193-G, college: E.New Mexico, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Jaxson Macfarlane and both played together in the last Australian Local Leagues game. Mumtaz helped Gators win their game against the 11th-ranked Giants 83-70. He recorded 18 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Mumtaz has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 18.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.4apg and 1.3spg.