Tohi Smith-Milner's double-double lands him Player of the Week award among New Zealanders playing currently abroad:

Here is the weekly review of the top performing New Zealand players, who play currently abroad.

Tohi Smith-Milner

   #1. This week's number one is an international power forward Tohi Smith-Milner (206-95, college: Polk State CC, currently plays in Australia). He was the major contributor in a Kilsyth Cobras' victory against the third-ranked Spectres (13-6) 87-82 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game. Smith-Milner had a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting the same number of rebounds in 36 minutes on the court. Kilsyth Cobras (11-8) are placed fifth in NBL1 group. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Smith-Milner has relatively good stats this year: 15.0ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.9apg, 2FGP: 57.7%(75-130), 3FGP: 34.2% and FT: 73.0% in 19 games he played so far. Ex-Canterbury Rams player is currently a member of the New Zealand senior national team.

James Hunter

   #2. Second place goes to former international center James Hunter (208-91, college: S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia). He could not help Knox Raiders (13-6) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Hunter's good performance the fifth-placed Knox Raiders (13-6) were edged 80-78 on the road by the lower-ranked Bendigo Braves (#9) in the NBL1 group. He scored 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Hunter's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. This season Hunter has relatively solid stats: 11.9ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 59.7%(37-62), 3FGP: 38.6% and FT: 85.7%. Former Manawatu Jets starter played for the New Zealand national team in 2017.

Zane Meehl

   #3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was an experienced former University international guard Zane Meehl (188-86, college: Mid-Continent, currently plays in Australia). He was not able to help Phoenix (6-8) in their last game. Despite Meehl's very good performance Phoenix (#8) was badly defeated 109-91 in Cairns by the higher-ranked (#4) Marlins in the QBL group. He scored 20 points in 25 minutes. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important. Meehl has reliable stats this year: 11.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.4apg, 2FGP: 40.9%, 3FGP: 43.9% and FT: 94.4%(17-18) in nine games. He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian. Former Wellington Exodus Saints starter played for the New Zealand university national team twelve years ago.

Brayden Inger

   #4. Forward Brayden Inger (203-99, currently plays in Australia) contributed to a 3-point Buccaneers' victory against the leader Wanneroo (19-6) 85-82 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday. Inger scored 6 points in 16 minutes. Geraldton Buccaneers (16-6) are placed fifth in SBL group. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. This year Inger averages: 9.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.7apg and 1.5spg in 17 games. He used to play for the New Zealand U19 national team back in 2017.


The list of other players, who all have New Zealand passport but never been selected to any of New Zealand national teams:

   #1. Zeke Meehl (181-G-88, currently plays in Australia) led Phoenix to a victory against the second-ranked Townsville Heat (12-3) 91-79 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game. Meehl scored 15 points and added 6 passes. Sunshine Coast Phoenix (6-8) is placed eighth in QBL group. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Meehl's stats this season are: 12.0ppg, 2.8rpg and 2.5apg. He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.

   #2. Emmerson Potts-Broughton (183-G, college: Lee JC, currently plays in Australia) could not help Pacers (4-12) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Potts-Broughton's good performance Pacers (#8) were defeated 78-69 on the road by the higher-ranked All Stars (#7) in the Big V D1 group. He was the top scorer with 12 points. Potts-Broughton also added 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. Potts-Broughton's stats this season are: 14.9ppg, 6.8rpg and 2.2apg.

   #3. Zac Carter (203-F/G-89, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help Brisbane Capitals in their game against Townsville Heat (12-3) in the Australian State League (second division). He cannot count it as his best performance. Carter scored only 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 21 minutes. Brisbane Capitals were badly defeated 105-86 in Hermit Park by the second-ranked Townsville Heat in the QBL group. It was Brisbane Capitals' first loss after thirteen consecutive victories. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. It's Carter's fifth season with the team. This year his overall stats are: 6.7ppg, 5.6rpg and 1.6apg in seven games he played so far. Carter is another player who holds two passports: New Zealand and Australian.

   #4. Judson Seumanu is a teammate of previously mentioned Emmerson Potts-Broughton and both played together in the last Australian Local Leagues game. Seumanu was not able to secure a victory for Pacers (4-12) in their game against All Stars (9-12). He scored 8 points. Pacers (#8) were defeated 78-69 in Collingwood by the higher-ranked All Stars (#7) in the Big V D1 group. Seumanu's overall stats this season are: 7.8ppg, 4.6rpg and 2.9apg.

   #5. Jaxson Macfarlane (196-F-98, currently plays in Australia) contributed to Gators' victory against the fifth-ranked Cougars (14-6) 98-89 in the Australian Local Leagues (fifth division) on Sunday night. He scored 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 27 minutes. Shepparton Gators (15-5) are placed fourth in Big V D1 group. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. This year Macfarlane's overall stats are: 7.6ppg and 4.4rpg in 19 games.

   #6. Javaan Mumtaz (193-G, college: E.New Mexico, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Jaxson Macfarlane and both played together in the last Australian Local Leagues game. Mumtaz was the major contributor in Gators' victory against the fifth-ranked Cougars 98-89. He scored 25 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 3 assists. Mumtaz has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 18.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.5apg and 1.3spg.