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 forward
Yannick Wetzell (208-1996, college:
SDSU, currently plays in Spain). He managed to help Bitci Baskonia Vitoria in a victory against the closely-ranked Valencia (23-11)
76-59 in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Monday night's game.
Wetzell scored only 4 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 16 minutes on the court.
Bitci Baskonia Vitoria (20-14) is placed sixth in the Liga Endesa.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
This year Wetzell averages: 3.4ppg, 2.4rpg, 2FGP: 54.2% and FT: 71.4% in nine games he played so far.
He played for the New Zealand senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international guard
Shea Ili (184-1992, currently plays in Australia). Ili led
Sabres to a victory over the 15th-ranked Dandenong Rangers (2-6)
86-73 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
He was MVP of the game. Ili scored 27 points (!!!), grabbed 7 boards, dished 8 assists and stole 5 balls in 35 minutes.
Sandringham Sabres (6-4) are placed sixth in NBL1 South group.
It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row.
Ili has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 21.0ppg, 6.6rpg, 6.4apg, 2.0spg, 2FGP: 59.6%(28-47), 3FGP: 27.8% and FT: 76.0% in five games.
Ili played for the New Zealand national team in 20.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former international swingman
Reuben Te Rangi (198-1994, currently plays in Australia). He could not help
Knox Raiders (5-3) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Te Rangi's very good performance the ninth-placed Knox Raiders (5-3) were defeated
80-76 on the road by the much lower-ranked Cavaliers (#17) in the NBL1 South group.
He was the top scorer with 18 points. Te Rangi also added 6 rebounds.
Te Rangi has relatively good stats this season: 10.7ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 42.9%, 3FGP: 40.9% and FT: 43.8%.
He played for the New Zealand national team year ago.
#4. Forward
Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college:
HPU, currently plays in Australia) was the main contributor in
Phoenix's victory against the 11th-ranked Roar (2-3) crushing them
108-66 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
Janssen was the best player in that game. He had a double-double by scoring 25 points and getting 14 rebounds. Janssen also added 2 blocks in 28 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Sunshine Coast Phoenix (5-2) is placed second in NBL1 North group.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
Janssen has very impressive stats this year: 15.7ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.0apg and 1.7bpg in seven games.
He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.
Janssen used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 21.
#5. Former U18 international forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-1998, college:
Panola JC, currently plays in Australia) contributed to
Wanneroo's victory against the sixth-ranked Magic (5-4)
92-84 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Vaiangina scored 10 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and made 2 blocks in 27 minutes.
Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (8-0) are placed first in NBL1 West group.
So far his team won all eight games in the Regular Season.
This year Vaiangina's overall stats are: 9.3ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg and 1.6bpg in eight games.
He used to play for the New Zealand U18 national team
years ago.
#6. An experienced swingman
Zac Carter (203-1989, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
South West Metro Pirates in their game against Salties (4-2) in the Australian State League (second division).
Carter scored only 4 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished 3 assists.
South West Metro Pirates (#9) were badly defeated
99-83 by the higher-ranked Salties (#5) in the NBL1 North group.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
Carter's total stats this year are: 8.6ppg, 11.6rpg and 1.4apg.
He is a former international player as he played for the New Zealand senior team year ago.
#7. Former international swingman
Dion Prewster (195-1990, agency:
BIG, college:
SF Austin, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Shea Ili. But that was another game of his team in Australian State League which we would like to mention.
Prewster contributed to a 1-point
Sabres' victory against the 13th-ranked Knox Raiders (4-5)
80-79.
He was the top player that evening. Prewster scored 16 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 29 minutes; not bad, considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Sandringham Sabres (6-4) are placed sixth in NBL1 South group.
It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row.
This year Prewster has relatively solid stats: 11.2ppg, 4.2rpg and 2.4apg in five games.
He is a naturalized American.
Prewster used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
He played also for Wellington Exodus Saints in New Zealand league.
#8. Center
James Hunter (208-1991, college:
S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia) was the major contributor in
Mustangs' victory against the seventh-ranked Bandits (5-5)
90-89 in the Australian State League (second division) in Sunday night's game.
Hunter scored 15 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
Maitland Mustangs (5-5) are placed sixth in NBL1 East group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
This season Hunter has very high stats. He averages: 15.4ppg, 8.2rpg and 1.2bpg.
Hunter used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 17.
The list of other players, who all have New Zealand passport but never been selected to any of New Zealand national teams: #1. Taine Wattie (190-G-1998, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Townsville Heat (2-3) in their last game on Friday. Despite Wattie's very good performance the 12th-placed Townsville Heat (2-3) was defeated
100-91 on the road by the higher-ranked Rockets (#6) in the NBL1 North group.
He was the second best scorer with 23 points. Wattie also added 7 boards, dished 4 assists and stole 4 balls.
But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
Wattie has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.0apg and 2.0spg.
#2. Mason Bragg (182-G-1993, currently plays in Australia) led
Phoenix to an easy victory against the 11th-ranked Roar (2-3) crushing them
108-66 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
He scored 19 points, grabbed 7 boards, dished 9 assists and stole 4 balls.
Sunshine Coast Phoenix (5-2) is placed second in NBL1 North group.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
This season Bragg has very high stats. He averages: 18.6ppg, 4.7rpg, 6.3apg and 2.3spg.
#3. Javaan Mumtaz (193-G, college:
ENMU, currently plays in Australia) contributed to a 2-point
Northside Wizards' victory against the 16th-ranked Brisbane Spartans (0-5)
104-102 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
He scored 9 points and added 4 passes in 26 minutes.
Northside Wizards (12-2) are placed first in NBL1 North group.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Mumtaz's total stats are: 8.3ppg, 3.0rpg and 2.3apg in four games he played so far.
#4. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-1992, college:
MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Suns in their game against Buccaneers (9-0) in the Australian State League (second division). He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
Shaw scored only 2 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
Suns (#11) were crushed
88-59 in Wonthella by the leading Buccaneers in the NBL1 West group.
It was Suns' seventh consecutive loss in a row.
Shaw's total stats this season are: 8.5ppg and 7.4rpg.
#5. Experienced
Kazlo Evans (187-G-1980, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for
South Adelaide Panthers (7-1) in their game against Sturt Sabres (6-2) in the Australian State League (second division). He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
Evans scored only 3 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 21 minutes.
South Adelaide Panthers lost
76-83 in Pasadena to the lower-ranked (#3) Sturt Sabres in the NBL1 Central group.
This year Evans' total stats are: 3.0ppg, 3.0rpg and 2.6apg in eight games.
#6. Dylan Ryburn (185-G, college:
Southeast CC, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help
Vikings in their game against Jets in the Australian State League (second division). He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
Ryburn scored only 2 points.
His team were crushed by 35 points
88-53.
This season Ryburn averages just 3.0ppg.
