We bring you last week's top performances from New Zealanders who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.
#1. This week's number one is an experienced former international swingman
Zac Carter (203-1989, currently plays in Australia). He could not help
South West Metro Pirates (2-17) in their last game. Despite Carter's very good performance the 13th-placed South West Metro Pirates (2-17) were crushed
125-91 on the road by the higher-ranked (#8) Thunder in the NBL1 North group.
He was the top scorer with 22 points. Carter also added 9 rebounds and 4 assists in 36 minutes on the court.
The Regular Season already ended.
Carter has relatively good stats this year: 10.3ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 47.2%, 3FGP: 28.2% and FT: 68.6% in 18 games he played so far.
He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.
Former Advice First Waikato Pistons starter 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 was the major contributor in
Sabres' victory against the leader Huskies (17-6)
85-77 in the Australian State League (second division) last Friday.
He recorded 28 points (!!!), 4 rebounds and 9 assists.
Sandringham Sabres (15-6) are placed fourth in NBL1 South group.
It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical.
Ili has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 23.4ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.9apg, 2.0spg, 2FGP: 54.3%, 3FGP: 31.6% and FT: 83.5%.
Ili played for the New Zealand national team in 22.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former international swingman
Mitchell Dance (192-2001, currently plays in Australia). He led
Eltham Wildcats to a victory over the 11th-ranked Ringwood Hawks (10-12)
68-63 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
Dance was MVP of the game. He recorded 20 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 37 minutes.
Eltham Wildcats (7-13) are placed 15th in NBL1 South group.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial.
Dance has very impressive stats this year: 18.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 48.0%, 3FGP: 26.2% and FT: 58.4% in 19 games.
He played for the New Zealand national team year ago.
#4. Forward
Tohi Smith-Milner (206-1995, agency:
BIG, college:
Polk State CC, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Shea Ili and both played together in the last Australian State League game.
Smith-Milner was the main contributor in
Sabres' victory against the leader Huskies (17-6)
85-77.
He was the best player in that game. Smith-Milner recorded a double-double by scoring 29 points and getting 10 rebounds; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. This year Smith-Milner has very high stats. He averages: 19.3ppg and 9.1rpg.
Smith-Milner used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 22.
#5. Former international swingman
Reuben Te Rangi (198-1994, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Knox Raiders (13-7) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Knox Raiders (#6) were edged
81-80 in Mt Gambier by the second-ranked Mount Gambier Pioneers in the NBL1 South group.
Te Rangi was the top scorer with 18 points. He also added 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 31 minutes.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important.
This year Te Rangi has relatively solid stats: 11.3ppg, 3.6rpg and 2.1apg in 16 games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#6. Forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-1998, college:
Panola JC, currently plays in Australia) contributed to
Wanneroo's victory against the 11th-ranked Eagles (4-17)
90-84 in the Australian State League (second division) on Friday night.
Vaiangina scored 13 points, had 7 rebounds, passed 4 assists and added 2 blocks.
Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (16-3) are placed second in NBL1 West group.
The Regular Season already ended.
Vaiangina's overall stats this season are: 9.2ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.3apg and 1.3bpg.
He is a former U18 international player as he played for the New Zealand team year ago.
#7. Former international forward
Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college:
HPU, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the 16th-ranked South West Metro Pirates (4-15) crushing them
111-82 in the Australian State League (second division) last Sunday.
Janssen scored 21 points and grabbed 6 rebounds; not bad, considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Sunshine Coast Phoenix (10-9) is placed ninth in NBL1 North group.
The Regular Season already ended.
This season Janssen has very high stats. He averages: 15.6ppg, 8.9rpg, 2.1apg and 1.2bpg.
Janssen used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#8. Center
James Hunter (208-1991, college:
S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia) contributed to a 2-point
Mustangs' victory against the 12th-ranked Bankstown Bruins (5-16)
98-96 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
He recorded 12 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 29 minutes.
Maitland Mustangs (12-7) are placed fourth in NBL1 East group.
Hunter's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is quite important.
Hunter has very impressive stats this year: 16.8ppg, 8.0rpg and 1.2bpg in 19 games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 17.
#9. Former international guard
Joshua Bloxham (186-1990, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Sioeli Vaiangina. But that was another game of his team in Australian State League which we would like to mention.
Bloxham managed to help Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves in a victory against the 12th-ranked Suns (4-18) crushing them
88-63.
He recorded only 3 points and added 5 assists in 19 minutes.
Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (16-3) are placed second in NBL1 West group.
This year Bloxham's overall stats are: 2.0ppg, 2.1rpg and 1.3apg in 15 games.
He 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. Mason Bragg (182-G-1993, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Phoenix (10-9) in their last game. Despite Bragg's very good performance Phoenix (#9) lost
75-87 on the road to the higher-ranked (#3) Rip City in the NBL1 North group.
He was the top scorer with 21 points. Bragg also added 7 rebounds and 7 assists in 38 minutes.
The Regular Season already ended.
Bragg has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 16.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 6.3apg and 1.9spg in 19 games he played so far.
#2. Taine Wattie (190-G-1998, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Townsville Heat in their game against Cairns Marlins (12-7) in the Australian State League (second division).
Wattie recorded only 4 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Townsville Heat (#12) was crushed
116-68 in Cairns by the much higher-ranked Marlins (#4) in the NBL1 North group.
It was Townsville Heat's fourth consecutive loss in a row.
The Regular Season already ended.
Wattie has reliable stats this season: 12.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.2apg and 1.5spg.
#3. Elijah Puna (201-F-2000, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for
Thunder (19-0) in their game against Rollers (14-5) in the Australian State League (second division). Puna cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones.
He recorded only 3 points.
Thunder was edged
102-100 in Gold Coast by the leading Rollers in the NBL1 North group.
This season Puna averages just 2.4ppg.
He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.
#4. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-1992, college:
MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help
Suns (2-16) in their game against Wanneroo (16-6) in the Australian State League (second division).
Shaw recorded only 4 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 18 minutes.
Suns (#12) were crushed
88-63 in Joondalup by the much higher-ranked (#3) Wanneroo in the NBL1 West group.
It was Suns' seventh consecutive loss in a row.
The Regular Season already ended.
This year Shaw's total stats are: 8.0ppg and 6.4rpg in 22 games.
