Steven Adams' double-double lands him Player of the Week award among New Zealanders playing currently abroad:

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

Steven Adams

   #1. This week's number one is former international power forward Steven Adams (213-93, college: Pittsburgh, currently plays in NBA). He could not help the Memphis Grizzlies (3-2) in their last game. Despite Adams' good performance the Memphis Grizzlies (3-2) were edged 121-118 on the road by the Los Angeles Lakers. He had a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting 16 rebounds. Adams also added 6 assists in 34 minutes on the court. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. It's Adams' first year with the team. He has relatively good stats this season: 11.0ppg, 10.6rpg, 3.2apg, 2FGP: 56.1%(23-41) in five games he played so far. Adams played for the New Zealand senior national team two years ago.

Isaac Fotu

   #2. Second place goes to former international power forward Isaac Fotu (203-93, college: Hawaii, currently plays in Japan). He was the major contributor in a Tochigi Brex's victory against the leader Chiba Jets (6-3) crushing them 100-75 in the Japanese B1 League last Wednesday. Fotu scored 21 points, had 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists. in group East. Link Tochigi Brex Utsunomiya (5-4) is placed fifth. But the season just started, so everything may happen. This year Fotu has relatively solid stats: 14.2ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.4apg, 2FGP: 59.8%(52-87) and FT: 51.7%. He has a dual citizenship: Tongan and New Zealand. Fotu played for the New Zealand national team in 2019.

Maxwell Darling

   #3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was an experienced former international forward Maxwell Darling (196-0, agency: Octagon Europe, currently plays in Romania). He led Constanta to a double overtime (!!!) victory against the eighth-ranked Galati (1-1) 88-87 in the Romanian Liga Nationala on Wednesday night. Darling had a double-double by scoring 19 points and getting 15 rebounds. He also added 5 blocks in 37 minutes. BC Athletic Neptun Constanta (4-1) is placed third in the Liga Nationala. It's Darling's first season with the team. Darling has reliable stats this year: 14.0ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.8bpg, 2FGP: 54.5%, 3FGP: 42.9% and FT: 52.4% in four games. He played for the New Zealand national team two years ago.

Matt Freeman

   #4. Forward Matt Freeman (207-97, college: UCSB, currently plays in Germany) led Lions to a victory against the 12th-ranked Eagles (2-2) 92-87 in the German ProA (second division) on Saturday night. Freeman scored 12 points. PS Karlsruhe Lions (3-2) is placed seventh in the ProA. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Freeman's stats this season are: 10.8ppg, 3.8rpg and 1.3apg. He used to play for the New Zealand U19 national team back in 2015.


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

   #1. Shane Temara (205-F/C-95, college: N.Texas, currently plays in Norway) could not help Baerum Basket (3-2) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Temara's good performance Baerum Basket was defeated 93-87 at home by the leading Froya Basket. He scored 13 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Temara's stats this season are: 15.0ppg and 7.0rpg. He is a naturalized American. Temara used to play for Wellington Saints in New Zealand league.

   #2. Takiula Fahrensohn (201-G-99, agency: Haylett Sports, college: Portland, currently plays in Germany) was not able to help the league outsider Ehingen/Urspringschule (0-5) in their last game. Despite his good performance Ehingen/Urspringschule was crushed 116-84 on the road by the much higher-ranked (#9) Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. Fahrensohn scored 13 points in 21 minutes. So far Ehingen/Urspringschule lost all five games in the Regular Season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Fahrensohn's stats this year are: 11.0ppg, 3.4rpg and 1.4apg in five games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and German.


Other top New Zealand players, who play abroad:

Mojave King (196-G-2) plays for Adelaide 36ers in Australian NBL
Brayden Inger (203-F-99) plays for Cairns Taipans in Australian NBL
Yannick Wetzell (208-F) plays for New Zealand Breakers in Australian NBL
Hayden Collier (208-F) plays for Regina University in U Sports
Marcel Jones (203-F-85) plays for Sitra in Bahrain Premier League
Tohi Smith-Milner (206-F-95) plays for Melbourne Phoenix in Australian NBL
Shou Nisbet (196-G-97) plays for Chiba in Japanese B3 League