Finn Delany's 32 points make him top New Zealand player abroad of the week

Here is the weekly review of the top performing New Zealand players, who play currently abroad.

Finn Delany

   #1. This week's number one is former international forward Finn Delany (198-95, college: SW Baptist, currently plays in Australia). He could not help New Zealand Breakers (9-19) in their last game. Despite Delany's very good performance New Zealand Breakers lost 82-91 on the road to the higher-ranked (#3) Melbourne Phoenix. He was the top scorer with 32 points. Delany also added 6 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 40 minutes on the court. It was New Zealand Breakers' third consecutive loss in a row. Delany has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 16.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.1apg, 2FGP: 61.3%(111-181), 3FGP: 34.7% and FT: 82.2% in 28 games he played so far. Delany played for the New Zealand senior national team two years ago.

Tai Webster

   #2. Second place goes to former international guard Tai Webster (193-95, college: Nebraska, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Finn Delany. But that was another game of his team in Australian NBL which we would like to mention. Webster. He was not able to help one of league's weakest teams New Zealand Breakers (9-19) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Webster's very good performance New Zealand Breakers were defeated 98-84 in Perth by the higher-ranked Wildcats (#7). He was the second best scorer with 20 points. Webster also added 7 rebounds. This season Webster has very high stats. He averages: 18.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 5.7apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 44.2%, 3FGP: 35.8% and FT: 55.4%. Former Advice First Waikato Pistons starter played for the New Zealand national team in 2019.

Isaac Fotu

   #3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former international power forward Isaac Fotu (203-93, college: Hawaii, currently plays in Italy). Fotu contributed to Venezia's victory against the closely-ranked Reggio Emilia (3-3) 71-65 in the Italian Serie A on Monday night. He scored 9 points in 27 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Umana Reyer Venezia (3-0) is placed first in the Serie A. So far his team won all three games in the Regular Season. They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. It's Fotu's first season with the team. This year Fotu's overall stats are: 9.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 2FGP: 64.1%(59-92), 3FGP: 53.3%(8-15) and FT: 62.2% in 18 games. He has a dual citizenship: Tongan and New Zealand. Fotu played for the New Zealand national team two years ago.

Robert Loe

   #4. Forward Robert Loe (211-91, college: St.Louis, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Finn Delany and both played together in the last Australian NBL game. Loe was not able to secure a victory for New Zealand Breakers (9-19) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite his very good performance New Zealand Breakers were defeated 91-82 in Melbourne by the higher-ranked Phoenix (#3). Loe was the second best scorer with 19 points. He also added 7 rebounds. Loe's total stats this season are: 6.5ppg and 3.9rpg. He is also New Zealand national team player.

Thomas Vodanovich

   #5. International forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-94, college: JMU, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help Kings (14-15) in their last game. Despite Vodanovich's good performance Kings lost 88-97 in Findon to the lower-ranked (#6) Adelaide 36ers. He recorded 13 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 25 minutes. It was Kings' third consecutive loss in a row. This year Vodanovich's total stats are: 5.6ppg and 2.7rpg in 29 games. He plays currently for the New Zealand national team.

Tyrell Harrison

   #6. Center Tyrell Harrison (213-99, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Kings (14-15) crushing them 93-70 in the Australian NBL last Thursday. Harrison scored 8 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and made 4 blocks. Brisbane Bullets (13-14) are placed sixth in the NBL. Harrison has averaged so far 4.8ppg, 5.8rpg and 1.1bpg. He is an international player who is currently on the senior New Zealand National Team roster.

James Hunter

   #7. Former international center James Hunter (208-91, college: S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia) led Sydney City Comets to a victory over the 12th-ranked Panthers (1-3) 79-72 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night. Hunter was MVP of the game. He recorded 19 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in 26 minutes. Sydney City Comets (3-4) are placed ninth in WARATAH group. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Hunter has very impressive stats this year: 22.1ppg, 10.0rpg, 2.0apg and 1.4spg in seven games. He used to play for the New Zealand national team four years ago.

Thomas Abercrombie

   #8. An experienced forward Thomas Abercrombie (198-87, college: WSU, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Finn Delany. He played also in the last Australian NBL game facing Tai Webster (above) in the other team. Abercrombie couldn't help one of league's weakest teams New Zealand Breakers (9-19) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his good performance New Zealand Breakers were defeated 98-84 in Perth by the higher-ranked Wildcats (#7). Abercrombie recorded 12 points. Abercrombie has relatively good stats this season: 10.6ppg and 3.3rpg. He used to play for the New Zealand national team back in 2019.

Shea Ili

   #9. International guard Shea Ili (184-92, currently plays in Australia) contributed to United's victory against the closely-ranked Melbourne Phoenix (16-14) 93-82 in a derby game in the Australian NBL last Saturday. Ili recorded 10 points in 17 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Melbourne United (23-6) is placed first in the NBL. Ili has averaged so far 7.0ppg, 2.2rpg and 2.0apg in 21 games. He is also in the roster of the New Zealand national team.

Sioeli Vaiangina

   #10. Forward Sioeli Vaiangina (202-98, college: Panola JC, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the tenth-ranked Suns (0-1) crushing them 84-61 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game. Vaiangina had a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 10 rebounds in 24 minutes. Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (2-0) are placed first in NBL1 West group. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This year Vaiangina has relatively solid stats: 13.5ppg, 7.5rpg and 1.5bpg in two games. He is a former U18 international player as seven years ago he still played for the New Zealand national team.

   #11. International forward Jordan Ngatai (196-93, agency: BIG, college: BYU-Hawaii, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help Cairns Taipans in their game against Melbourne Phoenix in the Australian NBL. Ngatai scored 8 points. His team were crushed by 29 points 106-77. Ngatai has averaged so far 6.8ppg and 2.2rpg. He plays currently for the New Zealand national team.

   #12. International swingman Mitchell Dance (192-1, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help the league outsider Bandits in their game against Kilsyth Cobras in the Australian State League (second division). Despite his very good performance in Saturday night's game He was the top scorer with 18 points. Dance also added 6 rebounds and 4 assists. This season Dance has very high stats. He averages: 19.6ppg and 6.8rpg. Dance is also in the roster of the New Zealand national team.

   #13. Former international guard Corey Webster (188-88, college: Lambuth, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Finn Delany. He played also in the last Australian NBL game facing Robert Loe (above) in the other team. Webster couldn't help New Zealand Breakers in their game against Melbourne Phoenix. He scored only 4 points. His team were defeated 91-82. Webster has reliable stats this season: 14.6ppg, 3.7rpg and 2.7apg. He used to play for the New Zealand national team two years ago.

   #14. International guard Zane Meehl (188-86, college: Mid-Continent, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the 14th-ranked Rip City crushing them 98-56 in the Australian State League (second division) last Thursday. He scored 10 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 4 assists. It was his first game for Phoenix this season. Meehl plays currently for the New Zealand national team.

   #15. International guard Jarrod Kenny (188-85, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Jordan Ngatai and both played together in the last Australian NBL game. Kenny couldn't help Cairns Taipans in their game against Melbourne Phoenix. He cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones. Kenny scored only one point. His team were crushed by 29 points 106-77. Kenny has averaged so far 2.8ppg, 1.8rpg and 1.7apg. He is also in the roster of the New Zealand national team.


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

   #1. Experienced Mojave King (196-G-2, currently plays in Australia) could not help Cairns Taipans (7-22) in their last game on Saturday. Despite King's good performance the bottom-ranked Cairns Taipans were defeated 96-87 on the road by the higher-ranked Bullets (#6). He recorded 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. King has averaged so far 5.3ppg and 2.4rpg. He is a naturalized American. Strangely King has never played in New Zealand.

   #2. Aron Baynes (208-C-86, college: WSU, currently plays in NBA) was not able to help the Toronto Raptors in their game against the Chicago Bulls (29-40) in the NBA. He scored 6 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 21 minutes. The Toronto Raptors (26-42) lost 102-114 in Chicago to the Bulls. It was Raptors' fifth consecutive loss in a row. There are only two games left until the end of the NBA Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Baynes has averaged so far 5.9ppg and 5.1rpg in 49 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Australian and New Zealand.

   #3. Taine Wattie (190-G-98, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for Buccaneers (0-1) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Wattie's very good performance the 11th-placed Buccaneers (0-1) were crushed 103-69 in Kalgoorlie by the higher-ranked Giants (#6) in the NBL1 West group. He was the top scorer with 19 points. It was his first game for Buccaneers this season. But the season just started, so everything may happen.

   #4. Mason Bragg (182-G-93, currently plays in Australia) was the major contributor in a NW Tasmania Thunder's victory against the 14th-ranked Eltham Wildcats (1-4) 87-69 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night. Bragg had a double-double by scoring 15 points and making 12 passes. He also added 4 rebounds in 35 minutes. NW Tasmania Thunder (4-1) is placed fourth in NBL1 South group. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Bragg has averaged so far 9.6ppg, 4.4rpg, 5.0apg and 1.6spg in five games.

   #5. Javaan Mumtaz (193-G, college: ENMU, currently plays in Australia) led Bendigo Braves to an easy victory against the 16th-ranked Tigers (1-5) crushing them 100-62 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday. He recorded 12 points in 22 minutes. Bendigo Braves (4-1) are placed third in NBL1 South group. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Mumtaz has reliable stats this year: 11.2ppg, 1.8rpg and 1.8apg in five games.

   #6. Isaac Davidson (201-F-97, college: Sonoma St., currently plays in Australia) couldn't help one of league's weakest teams New Zealand Breakers in their game against Perth Wildcats in the Australian NBL. Davidson recorded 5 points in 8 minutes. His team lost 84-98. This year Davidson averages only 0.6ppg in eight games.

   #7. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-92, college: MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) led Magic to a victory against the 12th-ranked Cougars 88-81 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night. He recorded 15 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 20 minutes. Shaw's stats this year are: 12.7ppg, 5.3rpg and 2.0apg in three games.

   #8. Dion Collins (203-F, college: CSC, currently plays in Australia) faced previously mentioned Taine Wattie in the Australian State League last game. Collins contributed to an easy victory against the 11th-ranked Buccaneers crushing them 103-69. He recorded 6 points in 19 minutes. Collins has averaged so far 9.5ppg and 3.0rpg in two games.

   #9. Brandon Watkins (198-F, college: Mars Hill, currently plays in Australia) contributed to Devils' victory against the sixth-ranked Cavaliers 82-71 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night. He recorded 6 points. Watkins has averaged so far 7.3ppg, 5.6rpg and 1.1apg.

   #10. Zeke Meehl (181-G-88, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Sunshine Coast Phoenix in a victory against the 14th-ranked Rip City crushing them 98-56 in the Australian State League (second division) in Thursday night's game. He scored only one point in 16 minutes. It was his first game for Phoenix this season. Meehl is another player who holds two passports: New Zealand and Australian.