Here is the weekly review of the top performing New Zealand players, who play currently abroad.
#1. This week's number one is former international power forward
Isaac Fotu (203-1993, college:
Hawaii, currently plays in Japan). He led
Tochigi Brex to a victory over the eighth-ranked Toyama Grouses (20-32) crushing them
99-79 in the Japanese B1 League in Saturday night's game.
Fotu was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 25 points and getting 10 rebounds in 27 minutes on the court; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Fotu's first season in pro basketball. Link Tochigi Brex Utsunomiya (35-14) is placed third in East group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
Fotu has relatively good stats this year: 13.9ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.1apg, 2FGP: 61.3%(279-455), 3FGP: 37.5% and FT: 62.3% in 49 games he played so far.
He has a dual citizenship: Tongan and New Zealand.
Fotu played for the New Zealand senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international guard
Tai Webster (193-1995, agency:
Network Sports International, college:
Nebraska, currently plays in Lithuania). He was the main contributor in
Zalgiris' victory against the sixth-ranked Siauliai (13-15)
90-74 in the Lithuanian LKL last Saturday.
Webster was the best player in that game. He recorded 14 points; not bad, considering it's only Webster's first season in pro basketball. B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas (5-3) is placed second in the LKL.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
This season Webster averages: 7.4ppg, 1.4rpg, 2.4apg, 2FGP: 57.1%(40-70), 3FGP: 33.3% and FT: 66.7%.
Former Advice First Waikato Pistons starter played for the New Zealand national team in 19.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former international forward
Robert Loe (211-1991, college:
St.Louis, currently plays in Australia). He could not help
New Zealand Breakers (5-22) in their last game. Despite Loe's very good performance the bottom-ranked New Zealand Breakers were edged
88-86 on the road by the higher-ranked (#5) JackJumpers.
He was the top scorer with 27 points. Loe also added 7 rebounds and made 2 blocks in 29 minutes.
It was New Zealand Breakers' ninth consecutive loss in a row.
His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial.
This year Loe's overall stats are: 4.0ppg, 2.2rpg, 2FGP: 65.7%(23-35), 3FGP: 33.3% and FT: 57.1% in 20 games.
He played for the New Zealand national team year ago.
#4. Guard
Shea Ili (184-1992, currently plays in Australia) contributed to
United's victory against the seventh-ranked Bullets (10-17)
88-79 in the Australian NBL in Saturday night's game.
Ili scored 13 points, made 8 passes and 5 steals.
Melbourne United (13-5) is placed first in the NBL.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is quite important.
Ili's total stats this season are: 8.3ppg, 2.6rpg, 4.1apg and 1.4spg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 20.
#5. Former international forward
Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college:
JMU, currently plays in Australia) contributed to
Kings' victory against one of league's weakest teams Cairns Taipans (8-19)
87-77 in the Australian NBL last Thursday.
Vodanovich scored 9 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 19 minutes.
Sydney Kings (19-8) are placed second in the NBL.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is extremely important.
This year Vodanovich's total stats are: 3.3ppg and 2.0rpg in 26 games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#6. Forward
Maxwell Darling (196-2000, agency:
Octagon Europe, currently plays in Romania) contributed to
Constanta's victory against the league outsider Targu Jiu (0-2)
87-80 in the Romanian Liga Nationala in Saturday night's game.
He scored 12 points in 21 minutes.
BC Athletic Neptun Constanta (13-9) is placed fifth in the Liga Nationala.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the Regular Season.
This year Darling has relatively solid stats: 10.4ppg and 6.0rpg in 22 games.
He is a former international player as he played for the New Zealand senior team year ago.
#7. Former international forward
Finn Delany (198-1995, college:
SW Baptist, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Robert Loe and both played together in the last Australian NBL game.
Delany was not able to help
New Zealand Breakers in their game against JackJumpers (16-11).
He scored only 4 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
The bottom-ranked New Zealand Breakers were edged
88-86 in Hobart by the higher-ranked JackJumpers (#5).
Delany has reliable stats this season: 10.1ppg, 5.6rpg and 2.1apg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#8. Forward
Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college:
Umpqua CC, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Adelaide 36ers in a victory against the closely-ranked Kings (19-8)
90-82 in the Australian NBL on Sunday night.
Harris scored only 3 points in 16 minutes.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Adelaide 36ers (10-8) are placed fourth in the NBL.
His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season.
Harris has averaged so far 4.4ppg and 2.7rpg in 20 games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 22.
#9. An experienced former international guard
Jarrod Kenny (186-1985, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for
Cairns Taipans (8-19) in their game against Perth Wildcats (16-11) in the Australian NBL.
Kenny scored 6 points.
Cairns Taipans were badly defeated
106-87 in Perth by the higher-ranked Wildcats (#4).
It was Cairns Taipans' third consecutive loss in a row.
His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season.
Kenny has averaged so far 3.3ppg, 1.4rpg and 1.9apg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#10. Forward
Thomas Abercrombie (198-1987, college:
WSU, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Robert Loe. He played also in the last Australian NBL game facing Finn Delany (above) in the other team.
Abercrombie couldn't help
New Zealand Breakers (5-22) in their game against JackJumpers (16-11).
He scored 5 points.
The bottom-ranked New Zealand Breakers were edged
88-86 in Hobart by the higher-ranked JackJumpers (#5).
Abercrombie has averaged so far 8.0ppg and 2.1rpg.
He is a former international player as years ago he still played for the New Zealand senior national team.
#11. Former international forward
Mitchell Newton (199-1995, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the fifth-ranked Suns
80-62 in the Australian State League (second division) in Thursday night's game.
Newton scored 8 points and added 4 passes in 18 minutes.
Newton has averaged so far 7.5ppg, 2.5rpg and 2.0apg in two games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#12. Former international center
Jack Salt (208-1996, college:
Virginia, currently plays in Australia) faced previously mentioned Shea Ili in the Australian NBL last game.
Salt couldn't help
Bullets in their game against United. He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
Salt scored only 3 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 15 minutes.
His team lost
79-88.
Salt has averaged so far 2.9ppg and 2.7rpg in 21 games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 18.
#13. Former U18 international forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-1998, 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 contributed to an easy victory against the fifth-ranked Suns
80-62.
He scored only 4 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Vaiangina has averaged so far 6.5ppg and 4.5rpg.
He used to play for the New Zealand U18 national team
years ago.
#14. Former international power forward
Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college:
Washington, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Robert Loe. He played also in the last Australian NBL game facing Thomas Abercrombie (above) in the other team.
Timmins couldn't help
New Zealand Breakers in their game against JackJumpers. He cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones.
Timmins scored only 2 points in 7 minutes on the court.
His team were edged
88-86.
Timmins has averaged so far 3.1ppg and 2.1rpg in 14 games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 19.
#15. Former international guard
Joshua Bloxham (186-90, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Mitchell Newton. He played also in the last Australian State League game facing Sioeli Vaiangina (above) in the other team.
Bloxham contributed to an easy victory against the fifth-ranked Suns
80-62.
He scored 5 points. It was his first game for Wanneroo this season.
Bloxham used to play for the New Zealand national team
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. Mojave King (196-G-2002, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an
Adelaide 36ers' victory against the closely-ranked Kings (19-8)
90-82 in the Australian NBL on Sunday night.
King scored 6 points.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Adelaide 36ers (10-8) are placed fourth in the NBL.
His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season.
King has averaged so far 3.2ppg and 1.2rpg.
He is a naturalized American.
Strangely King has never played in New Zealand.
#2. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-1992, college:
MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Suns (1-1) in their last game. Despite Shaw's very good performance the fifth-placed Suns (1-1) lost
93-102 on the road to the lower-ranked (#6) Senators in the NBL1 West group.
He was the top scorer with 22 points. Shaw also added 8 rebounds in 30 minutes.
But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
Shaw's stats this year are: 14.3ppg and 11.0rpg in three games he played so far.
#3. Shane Temara (205-F/C-1995, college:
N.Texas, currently plays in Norway) was not able to help one of league's weakest teams
Baerum Basket (18-9) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Temara's good performance Baerum Basket was defeated
80-74 in Bergen by the second-ranked Gimle BBK.
He recorded 10 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Temara has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 18.7ppg, 7.4rpg and 1.3apg.
Temara is a naturalized American.
He used to play for Wellington Saints in New Zealand league.
