POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of New Zealanders who are currently playing abroad.
#1. This week's number one is former international swingman
Reuben Te Rangi (198-1994, currently plays in Australia). He led
Knox Raiders to a 2-point victory over the 13th-ranked Ringwood Hawks (10-13)
86-84 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Te Rangi was MVP of the game. He scored 27 points (!!!) and grabbed 5 rebounds in 33 minutes on the court.
Knox Raiders (15-7) are placed fourth in NBL1 South group.
It was his team's sixth consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical.
Te Rangi has relatively good stats this year: 12.6ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.9apg, 2FGP: 53.3%, 3FGP: 27.6% and FT: 59.1% in 18 games he played so far.
He played for the New Zealand senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former U18 international forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-1998, college:
Panola JC, currently plays in Australia). Vaiangina led
Wanneroo to a victory against Eagles (4-12)
90-84 in the Australian State League (second division) last Friday.
He scored 13 points, had 7 rebounds, passed 4 assists and added 2 blocks.
It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams. Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (17-3) are placed second in NBL1 West group.
They ended the series of three consecutive loses.
The Regular Season already ended.
This season Vaiangina averages: 9.2ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3bpg, 2FGP: 60.8%(73-120), 3FGP: 31.0% and FT: 65.5%.
He played for the New Zealand U18 national team in 14.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former international swingman
Mitchell Dance (192-2001, currently plays in Australia). Dance was the major contributor in a
Eltham Wildcats' victory against the 19th-ranked Dandenong Rangers (5-17)
82-78 in the Australian State League (second division) on Sunday night.
He recorded 19 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 31 minutes.
Eltham Wildcats (9-13) are placed 13th in NBL1 South group.
The Regular Season already ended.
Dance has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 18.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 48.1%, 3FGP: 25.3% and FT: 57.6% in 20 games.
Dance played for the New Zealand national team year ago.
#4. Center
James Hunter (208-1991, college:
S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia) led
Mustangs to a victory over the fourth-ranked Hawks (14-8) crushing them
106-81 in the Australian State League (second division) in Sunday night's game.
He was the best player in that game. Hunter recorded 24 points and grabbed 8 rebounds; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Maitland Mustangs (14-7) are placed second in NBL1 East group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
The Regular Season already ended.
This season Hunter has very high stats. He averages: 16.6ppg, 7.7rpg and 1.3bpg.
Hunter used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 17.
#5. Former international guard
Shea Ili (184-1992, currently plays in Australia) was the main contributor in
Sabres' victory against the 17th-ranked Eltham Wildcats (7-15) crushing them
90-58 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
He was the top player that evening. Ili scored 17 points in 21 minutes.
Sandringham Sabres (16-6) are placed third in NBL1 South group.
It was his team's sixth consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial.
Ili has very impressive stats this year: 23.0ppg, 5.8rpg, 5.7apg and 1.9spg in 16 games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#6. 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 contributed to an easy victory against the 17th-ranked Eltham Wildcats (7-15) crushing them
90-58.
He scored 9 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
This season Smith-Milner has very high stats. He averages: 18.6ppg and 9.1rpg.
Smith-Milner is a former international player as he played for the New Zealand senior team year ago.
#7. Former international swingman
Dion Prewster (195-1990, also represented by
BIG, college:
SF Austin, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Shea Ili. He played also in the last Australian State League game facing Tohi Smith-Milner (above) in the other team.
Prewster contributed to an easy victory against the 17th-ranked Eltham Wildcats (7-15) crushing them
90-58.
He scored 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 23 minutes.
This year Prewster has relatively solid stats: 13.9ppg, 5.4rpg and 1.8apg in 13 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.
The list of other players, who all have New Zealand passport but never been selected to any of New Zealand national teams: #1. Elijah Puna (201-F-2000, currently plays in Australia). Puna could not help
Thunder (19-0) to beat Rollers (14-5). He cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones.
Puna recorded only 3 points.
The first-placed Thunder (19-0) was edged
102-100 on the road 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.
#2. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-1992, college:
MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Suns in their game against Hawks (15-3) in the Australian State League (second division). Shaw cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones.
He scored only 3 points in 19 minutes.
The 12th-placed Suns (2-17) were crushed
117-81 in Floreat by the much higher-ranked Hawks in the NBL1 West group.
It was Suns' eighth consecutive loss in a row.
The Regular Season already ended.
This year Shaw's overall stats are: 8.0ppg and 6.4rpg in 22 games he played so far.
