Luukkonen number one in New Zealand NBL for round 5 (by Hoops Agents)

- May 4, 2026

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Eemi Luukkonen

Eemi Luukkonen

Finnish Power forward Eemi Luukkonen (203-PF-2002) had a very impressive game in the last round for Nelson Giants, receiving a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for round 5.
The 23-year old player had a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds, while his team crushed Airs (#6, 3-3) with 16-point margin 107-91. Giants is placed at 7th position in New Zealand NBL. Giants is a typical solid league team placed somewhere in the middle or a little bit lower in the standings. They need more victories to improve their 2-2 record. In the team's last game Luukkonen had a remarkable 85.7% from 2-point range. He just recently signed at Giants and just after two games he already turned to be a very valuable addition to the team. Eemi Luukkonen averages just after two games 13.0ppg and 7.5rpg.

The second best player in last round's games was young American Xavier Green (198-F-1996, agency: One Motive Sports) of Taranaki Airs. Green had a very good evening with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Bad luck as Airs lost that game 91-107 to slightly lower-ranked Giants (#7, 2-2). This loss caused Airs to drop to 6th position in the standings. His team lost some distance to top teams. But a 3-3 record is not bad and everything may still change. Green is one of the most experienced players at Airs and has a reputation of one of team's most reliable players.

Third on the list of top players last round was American guard Jace Carter (198-G-2003) of Franklin Bulls (#8). Carter scored 23 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. He was a key player of Bulls, leading his team to a 103-88 easy win against Whai (2-3). The chances of Bulls ranking at the top of the league, however are very questionable as they have already lost 3 games, recording just two victories. With bigger assistance of his teammates, Carter could help Bulls to bring them higher in the standings. Carter has a great season in New Zealand. After only 5 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in points with 25.0ppg (2nd best) and rebounds with 10.8rpg (2nd best).

Other top performing players last week:
4. Samuel Timmins (211-F/C-1997) of Sharks - 21 points, 14 rebounds and 2 assists
5. Liam Judd (196-F-2001) of Giants - 26 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists
6. Derrin Boyd (190-G-2000) of Bulls - 29 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists
7. Kaden Sand (198-G-2001) of Jets - 25 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists
8. Walter Brown (196-F-2003) of Rams - 20 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists
9. Thomas Vodanovich (201-F-1994) of Tuatara - 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists
10. Jack Andrew (208-C/F-2001) of Rams - 21 points and 13 rebounds

The Player of the week is selected based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.
The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.
The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3*(REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4*(2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3*(2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3*(3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

The Player of the Week awards are presented by Hoops Agents. Hoops Agents is the most complete website about the agencies and players they represent. With more than twenty years of experience, Hoops Agents is already recognized as the most reliable destination for the players who wish to continue their career in professional basketball and are searching for a reputable and connected representation. Hoops Agents is also most complete source of transactions news.

Tags : EEMI LUUKKONEN, NELSON GIANTS, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL,