Mitchell Newton selected the top New Zealander playing abroad in last week's games

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

Mitchell Newton

   #1. This week's number one is former international forward Mitchell Newton (199-95, currently plays in Australia). He contributed to Wanneroo's victory against the 14th-ranked Slammers (3-14) 83-75 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game. Newton scored 6 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 20 minutes on the court. in group NBL1 West. Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (13-3) are placed first in NBL1 West group. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. This year Newton averages: 5.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 2FGP: 52.0%, 3FGP: 14.3% in seven games he played so far. He played for the New Zealand senior national team six years ago.

Joe Cook-Green

   #2. Second place goes to former U19 international guard Joe Cook-Green (185-97, college: TxWes, currently plays in Australia). Cook-Green could not help Suns (4-13) in their last game on Friday. Despite his good performance the 11th-placed Suns (4-13) were crushed 113-65 on the road by the leading Hawks in the NBL1 West group. Cook-Green was the second best scorer with 13 points. He also added 5 boards, passed 3 assists and added 4 steals. Cook-Green's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. Cook-Green has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 24.8ppg, 5.8rpg, 4.0apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 50.9%, 3FGP: 55.2%(16-29) and FT: 69.0%. Cook-Green played for the New Zealand U19 national team in 2015.

Sioeli Vaiangina

   #3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former U18 international forward Sioeli Vaiangina (202-98, college: Panola JC, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Mitchell Newton and both played together in the last Australian State League game. Vaiangina managed to help Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves in a victory against the 14th-ranked Slammers (3-14) 83-75. He scored only 2 points in 9 minutes on the court. This year Vaiangina's overall stats are: 9.5ppg, 5.6rpg, 2FGP: 57.6%(68-118), 3FGP: 18.8% and FT: 53.0% in 19 games. He played for the New Zealand U18 national team seven years ago.

Ezra Nikora

   #4. Guard Ezra Nikora (183-91, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help Redbacks in their game against Magic (13-7) in the Australian State League (second division). He did not have that impressive stats last Friday. Nikora scored only 3 points in 9 minutes on the court. His team lost 80-93 in Mandurah to the lower-ranked (#4) Magic in the NBL1 West group. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important. This year Nikora's total stats are: 1.5ppg and 1.3apg in 16 games. He used to play for the New Zealand national team back in 2013.


One more player who has never been selected to any of national teams, but has New Zealand passport:

   #1. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-92, college: MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) contributed to Magic's victory against the fifth-ranked Redbacks (12-8) 93-80 in the Australian State League (second division) in Friday night's game. Shaw scored 6 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. in group NBL1 West. Mandurah Magic (9-8) is placed . His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Shaw's total stats this season are: 7.5ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.2apg.


Other top New Zealand players, who play abroad:

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
Isaac Fotu (203-PF-93) plays for Link Tochigi Brex Utsunomiya in Japanese B1 League
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
Jordan Ngatai (196-F-93) plays for Cairns Taipans in Australian NBL
Thomas Abercrombie (198-F-87) plays for New Zealand Breakers in Australian NBL
Yannick Wetzell (208-F) plays for New Zealand Breakers 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
Javaan Mumtaz (193-G) plays for Bendigo Braves in Australian State League
Shou Nisbet (196-G-97) plays for Tokyo Z in Japanese B2 League

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