Sioeli Vaiangina selected the top New Zealander playing abroad in last week's games

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

Sioeli Vaiangina

   #1. This week's number one is former U18 international forward Sioeli Vaiangina (202-98, college: Panola JC, currently plays in Australia). He was the major contributor in Wanneroo's victory against the 14th-ranked Suns (1-8) crushing them 103-75 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game. Vaiangina scored 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 27 minutes on the court; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his second season in pro basketball. in group NBL1 West. Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (7-1) are placed first. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. Vaiangina has relatively good stats this year: 11.4ppg, 5.3rpg, 2FGP: 56.3%(36-64), 3FGP: 28.6% and FT: 56.8% in nine games he played so far. He played for the New Zealand U18 national team seven years ago.

Shea Ili

   #2. Second place goes to an international guard Shea Ili (184-92, currently plays in Australia). Ili contributed to an easy victory against the fifth-ranked Melbourne Phoenix (19-17) 96-78 in a derby game in the Australian NBL last Friday. He recorded 9 points. Melbourne United (27-8) is placed first in the NBL. This season Ili averages: 6.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.0apg, 2FGP: 42.0%, 3FGP: 41.9% and FT: 76.7%. He is in the roster of the New Zealand senior national team.

Zane Meehl

   #3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was an experienced international guard Zane Meehl (188-86, college: Mid-Continent, currently plays in Australia). Meehl could not help Phoenix (5-1) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the fourth-placed Phoenix (5-1) lost 90-96 on the road to the much lower-ranked (#11) Ipswich Force in the NBL1 North group. Meehl recorded 15 points and added 5 passes in 35 minutes. This year Meehl has relatively solid stats: 10.3ppg, 4.3rpg, 4.5apg, 2FGP: 46.7% and FT: 75.0% in four games. He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian. Ex-Wellington Exodus Saints player is also a member of the New Zealand senior national team.

Zac Carter

   #4. Swingman Zac Carter (203-89, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help Brisbane Capitals in their game against Thunder (7-0) in the Australian State League (second division). He did not have that impressive stats last Friday. Carter recorded only 3 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 31 minutes. Brisbane Capitals (#5) lost 77-89 in Loganholme to the leading Thunder in the NBL1 North group. It's Carter's seventh season with the team. This year his overall stats are: 5.4ppg, 5.4rpg and 1.1apg in seven games. Carter is another player who holds two passports: New Zealand and Australian. He is also New Zealand national team player.

Tane Kirisome

   #5. International center Tane Kirisome (206-3, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Logan Thunder to win against the 12th-ranked Roar (1-3) 96-84 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday. He scored 5 points. in group NBL1 North. Logan Thunder (7-0) is placed first. So far his team won all seven games in the Regular Season. Kirisome's total stats this season are: 3.3ppg and 1.1rpg. He plays currently for 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. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-92, college: MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) led Magic to a victory against the 14th-ranked Suns (1-8) 83-69 in the Australian State League (second division) in Sunday night's game. Shaw scored 16 points, had 6 rebounds, passed 3 assists and added 2 blocks. in group NBL1 West. Mandurah Magic (9-8) is placed . Shaw's overall stats this season are: 9.0ppg, 4.7rpg and 1.9apg.

   #2. Matthew Wilson (200-F-92, currently plays in Australia). Wilson could not help Brisbane Spartans (6-0) to beat Townsville Heat (5-3). He scored 6 points. Brisbane Spartans (#2) were defeated 93-82 on the road by the second-ranked Townsville Heat in the NBL1 North group. Wilson's total stats this season are: 4.8ppg and 2.5rpg.

   #3. Dion Collins (203-F, college: CSC, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help Giants in their game against Senators (6-2) in the Australian State League (second division). He scored 9 points and added 4 assists in 31 minutes. But Giants (#9) were crushed 104-83 in Perth by the higher-ranked (#4) Senators in the NBL1 West group. This year Collins' total stats are: 6.9ppg and 4.3rpg in 10 games he played so far.


Other top New Zealand players, who play abroad:

Isaac Fotu (203-PF-93) plays for Venezia in Italian Serie A
Steven Adams (213-C/F-93) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
Aron Baynes (208-C-86) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
Maxwell Darling (196-F-0) plays for Illawarra Hawks in Australian NBL
Taylor Britt (187-G-96) plays for Perth Wildcats in Australian NBL
Tyrell Harrison (213-C-99) plays for Bullets in Australian NBL
Mojave King (196-G-2) plays for Cairns Taipans in Australian NBL
Jarrod Kenny (188-G-85) plays for Cairns Taipans in Australian NBL
Jordan Ngatai (196-F-93) plays for Cairns Taipans in Australian NBL
Finn Delany (198-F-95) plays for New Zealand Breakers in Australian NBL
Tai Webster (193-G-95) plays for New Zealand Breakers in Australian NBL
Corey Webster (188-G-88) plays for New Zealand Breakers in Australian NBL
Robert Loe (211-F-91) plays for New Zealand Breakers in Australian NBL
Thomas Abercrombie (198-F-87) plays for New Zealand Breakers in Australian NBL

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