Finn Delany 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.

Finn Delany

   #1. This week's number one is former international forward Finn Delany (198-95, college: SW Baptist, currently plays in Australia). He was the major contributor in a New Zealand Breakers' victory against the closely-ranked Kings (3-5) 82-75 in the Australian NBL in Sunday night's game. Delany recorded 21 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 35 minutes on the court. New Zealand Breakers (2-7) are located at the very bottom in the NBL. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Delany has relatively good stats this year: 13.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 45.7%, 3FGP: 34.0% and FT: 75.0% in nine games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Irish. Delany played for the New Zealand senior national team three years ago.

Steven Adams

   #2. Second place goes to former international power forward Steven Adams (213-93, college: Pittsburgh, currently plays in NBA). He could not help the Memphis Grizzlies (31-16) to beat the Dallas Mavericks (26-20). Adams scored 6 points, grabbed 6 boards, handed out 3 passes and blocked 2 shots. The Memphis Grizzlies (31-16) were crushed 112-85 on the road by the Mavericks. It's Adams' first season with the team. This year he averages: 6.8ppg, 9.3rpg, 3.0apg, 2FGP: 52.4% and FT: 57.5%. Adams played for the New Zealand national team in 2019.

Kruz Perrott-Hunt

   #3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was an experienced former international guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt (190-0, college: S.Dakota, currently plays college basketball in the States). He led S.Dakota to a victory against the Denver University (3-5) 80-71 in the NCAA on Thursday night. Perrott-Hunt scored 25 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished 3 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) in 39 minutes. The University of South Dakota has 3-3 conference record this season. This year Perrott-Hunt has relatively solid stats: 14.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 44.5%, 3FGP: 38.5% and FT: 84.3% in 17 games. He played for the New Zealand national team three years ago.

Samuel Waardenburg

   #4. Forward Samuel Waardenburg (208-99, currently studies in the States) contributed to an easy victory against the University of North Carolina (4-2) crushing them 85-57 in the NCAA in Tuesday night's game. Waardenburg recorded 21 points. The University of Miami has a very solid 6-1 conference record this season. Waardenburg is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his fifth year in , FL's roster. His overall stats this season are: 7.9ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.1apg and 1.1bpg. Waardenburg used to play for the New Zealand U19 national team back in 2017.

Tyrell Harrison

   #5. Former international center Tyrell Harrison (213-99, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Melbourne Phoenix (3-2) 100-84 in the Australian NBL last Saturday. He recorded 10 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 19 minutes. Brisbane Bullets (3-3) are placed sixth in the NBL. But the season just started, so everything may happen. This year Harrison's overall stats are: 7.7ppg, 8.0rpg and 1.3bpg in six games. He used to play for the New Zealand national team two years ago.

Yannick Wetzell

   #6. Forward Yannick Wetzell (208-96, college: SDSU, 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. Wetzell was not able to help New Zealand Breakers in their game against United (6-2). He recorded 7 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks in 31 minutes. The bottom-ranked New Zealand Breakers lost 78-89 in Melbourne to the leading United. Wetzell has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 17.4ppg, 7.6rpg and 1.1spg in eight games. Wetzell is a former international player as he played for the New Zealand senior team three years ago.

Shea Ili

   #7. Former international guard Shea Ili (184-92, currently plays in Australia) faced previously mentioned Yannick Wetzell in the Australian NBL last game. Ili contributed to United's victory against the league outsider New Zealand Breakers (2-7) 89-78. He recorded 8 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Ili's total stats this season are: 6.0ppg, 2.5rpg and 3.1apg. He used to play for the New Zealand national team two years ago.

Mac Stodart

   #8. Forward Mac Stodart (203-2, currently plays in NCAA2) contributed to an easy victory against the Adams State University (2-4) crushing them 103-65 in the NCAA2 on Monday night. Stodart scored 23 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 25 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs have 3-3 record this season. This year Stodart's total stats are: 6.3ppg and 2.1rpg in nine games. He used to play for the New Zealand U19 national team back in 2020.

Hyrum Harris

   #9. Former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-96, college: Umpqua CC, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an Adelaide 36ers' victory against the closely-ranked Perth Wildcats (5-2) 87-74 in the Australian NBL in Tuesday night's game. Harris recorded 6 points. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Adelaide 36ers (4-1) are placed second in the NBL. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Harris has averaged so far 3.3ppg and 2.7rpg. He used to play for the New Zealand national team two years ago.

Thomas Vodanovich

   #10. Forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-94, college: JMU, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for Kings (3-5) in their game against Illawarra Hawks (4-2) in the Australian NBL. Vodanovich recorded only 4 points in 11 minutes. Kings lost 89-97 in Gwynneville to the higher-ranked (#3) Illawarra Hawks. It was Kings' third consecutive loss in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Vodanovich has averaged so far 3.8ppg and 2.6rpg in eight games. He is a former international player as two years ago he still played for the New Zealand senior national team.

   #11. Former U19 international center Callum McRae (216-99, is currently at the American university) contributed to a 1-point UC Riverside's victory against the California State University Bakersfield 65-64 in the NCAA last Saturday. McRae recorded a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting 10 rebounds. McRae has averaged so far 9.1ppg, 8.5rpg and 2.1apg. He used to play for the New Zealand U19 national team five years ago.

   #12. Former U19 international point guard Flynn Cameron (196-0, currently plays college basketball in the States) is a teammate of previously mentioned Callum McRae. However that was another game of his team in NCAA which brought him to that list. Cameron contributed to an UC Riverside's victory against the Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo University 57-46. He scored 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds (was perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line) in 36 minutes. Cameron has reliable stats this year: 10.8ppg, 4.4rpg and 1.5apg in 14 games. He used to play for the New Zealand U19 national team back in 2019.

   #13. Former international forward Maxwell Darling (196-0, agency: Octagon Europe, currently plays in Romania) couldn't help Constanta in their game against Sibiu in the Romanian Liga Nationala. Darling recorded 7 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. His team was edged 77-75. Darling averaged so far 12.9ppg, 7.3rpg and 1.2apg. He used to play for the New Zealand national team three years ago.

   #14. Former international center Jack Salt (208-96, college: Virginia, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Tyrell Harrison and both played together in the last Australian NBL game. Salt managed to help Brisbane Bullets in a victory against the closely-ranked Melbourne Phoenix 100-84. He recorded only 4 points in 11 minutes. Salt has averaged so far 4.7ppg and 2.7rpg in three games. He used to play for the New Zealand national team back in 2018.

   #15. Former U19 international swingman Sean Murphy (197-2, currently plays in NCAA2) couldn't help the University of Nebraska-Kearney (2-6) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Murphy's good performance his team was defeated 80-65 in Maryville by the Northwest Missouri State University. He scored 11 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Murphy has averaged so far 5.4ppg, 6.0rpg and 1.2apg. He used to play for the New Zealand U19 national team two years ago.


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

   #1. Experienced Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (198-F-1, currently plays in NCAA2) led University of Hawaii at Hilo to a 3-point victory against the Academy of Art (5-3) 75-72 in the NCAA2 on Friday night. Tait-Jones recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and getting 13 rebounds. He also added 3 assists and 2 blocks. The University of Hawaii at Hilo has a very good 5-1 record this season. Tait-Jones has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 17.9ppg, 8.7rpg, 2.4apg and 1.1spg.

   #2. Shane Temara (205-F/C-95, college: N.Texas, currently plays in Norway) could not help Baerum Basket (10-8) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Temara's very good performance Baerum Basket was defeated 87-75 on the road by the leading Froya Basket. He was the second best scorer with 18 points. Temara also added 8 rebounds and made 2 blocks. This season Temara has very high stats. He averages: 18.4ppg, 7.8rpg and 1.6apg. Temara is a naturalized American. He used to play for Wellington Saints in New Zealand league.

   #3. Takiula Fahrensohn (201-G-99, agency: Haylett Sports, college: Portland, currently plays in Germany) was not able to help the league outsider Ehingen/Urspringschule (0-19) in their last game. Despite Fahrensohn's good performance the bottom-ranked Ehingen/Urspringschule lost 75-82 on the opponent's court to the much higher-ranked (#5) Leverkusen. He recorded 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 28 minutes. So far Ehingen/Urspringschule lost all nineteen games in the Regular Season. Fahrensohn has reliable stats this year: 12.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.1apg and 1.2spg in 19 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and German.

   #4. Mojave King (196-G-2, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Adelaide 36ers in a victory against the closely-ranked Perth Wildcats (5-2) 87-74 in the Australian NBL in Tuesday night's game. King recorded only 3 points in 12 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Adelaide 36ers (4-1) are placed second in the NBL. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. King has averaged so far 3.7ppg and 1.7rpg in six games. He is a naturalized American. Strangely King has never played in New Zealand.

   #5. Hayden Collier (208-F, college: Laramie CC, currently plays in Canada) contributed to an easy victory against the Bobcats (2-8) crushing them 86-55 in the U Sports in Friday night's game. He recorded 8 points in only 11 minutes. The Regina University has a solid 7-3 record this season. Collier has averaged so far 5.5ppg and 2.5rpg in two games.

   #6. Matt Brien (193-G, currently plays in NCAA2) contributed to a 2-point University of Nebraska-Kearney's victory against the Missouri Western State University 81-79 in the NCAA2 on Thursday night. He recorded 7 points in 17 minutes. Brien has averaged so far 2.7ppg and 1.1rpg in 11 games.

   #7. Corey Le'Aupepe (198-F, currently plays in NAIA) was not able to secure a victory for the Menlo College (5-5) in their last game on Thursday. Despite his very good performance the Menlo College was defeated 71-63 in El Cajon by the San Diego Christian College. Le'Aupepe recorded 15 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Le'Aupepe averaged so far 14.2ppg, 5.8rpg and 1.3apg.

   #8. Finn McClure (183-PG, currently plays in NAIA) contributed to an Milligan College's surprising victory against the Columbia International University 92-73 in the NAIA in Thursday night's game. He recorded 5 points in 17 minutes. McClure has averaged so far 5.0ppg, 2.7rpg and 1.3apg in seven games.