Isaac Fotu selected the top New Zealander playing abroad in last week's games

- November 27, 2020

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

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.

Isaac Fotu

#1. This week's number one is an international power forward Isaac Fotu (203-93, college: Hawaii, currently plays in Italy). He could not help Umana Venezia (3-0) in their last game. Despite Fotu's very good performance the first-placed Umana Venezia (3-0) lost 72-86 on the road to the leading Armani Milano in the Group C. He was the top scorer with 25 points. Fotu also added 5 rebounds in 30 minutes on the court. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Fotu has relatively good stats this year: 12.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 2FGP: 59.6% (34-57), 3FGP: 63.6% and FT: 68.4% in eight games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Tongan and New Zealand. Fotu played for the New Zealand senior national team one years ago.

Samuel Mennenga

#2. Second place goes to an experienced U19 international forward Samuel Mennenga (206-1, currently plays college basketball in the States). He led Davidson to a victory against the High Point University 82-73 in the NCAA last Wednesday. Mennenga recorded 12 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. It was his first game for Davidson this season. His team has 0-0 overall record this season. Mennenga played for the New Zealand U19 national team in 2019.

Daniel Fotu

#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was an international forward Daniel Fotu (201-99, currently studies in the States). He contributed to a St.Mary's, CA's surprising victory against the University of Northern Iowa 66-64 in the NCAA on Thursday night. Fotu scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 29 minutes. The Saint Mary's College of California has 0-0 overall record this season. This year Fotu averages: 9.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 3FGP: 37.5% and FT: 75.0% in two games. He played for the New Zealand national team one years ago.

Flynn Cameron

#4. Point guard Flynn Cameron (190-0, is currently at the American university) was not able to help the UC Riverside (0-0) in their game against the University of Pacific in the NCAA. Cameron recorded 8 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. It was his first game for UC Riverside this season. His team was defeated 66-60 at home by the University of Pacific. Cameron used to play for the New Zealand U19 national team last year.

Kruz Perrott-Hunt

#5. International guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt (190-0, college: S.Dakota, currently plays college basketball in the States) was not able to secure a victory for the S.Dakota in their game against the University of Colorado in the NCAA. He recorded 5 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 27 minutes. It was his first game for S.Dakota this season. His team was crushed 84-61 on their home court in Vermillion by the University of Colorado. Perrott-Hunt used to play for the New Zealand national team last year.

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

#1. Matt Brien (193-G, currently plays in NCAA2). He could not help the University of Nebraska-Kearney to beat the Emporia State University. Brien scored 6 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 30 minutes. It was his first game for University of Nebraska-Kearney this season. His team lost 57-69 on the road to the State University.

#2. Shou Nisbet (196-G-97, college: Southeast CC, currently plays in Japan) was not able to help Tokyo Z in their game against Yamagata (6-9) in the Japanese B2 League. Nisbet scored only 4 points. Tokyo Z (#7) was defeated 79-71 at home by the higher-ranked Yamagata (#6) in the East group. It was Tokyo Z's sixth consecutive loss in a row. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Nisbet's overall stats this year are: 4.2ppg and 2.4rpg.

#3. Takiula Fahrensohn (201-G-99, currently plays college basketball in the States) was not able to secure a victory for the Portland in their game against the Seattle University in the NCAA. He cannot count Wednesday's game as one of the best ones. Fahrensohn recorded only 3 points. It was his first game for Portland this season. The Portland was defeated 84-72 in Seattle by the University. It's Fahrensohn's fourth year with the team.

Other top New Zealand players, who play abroad:

Yanni Wetzell (208-F) plays for EnBW Ludwigsburg in German BBL
Steven Adams (213-C/F-93) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
Aron Baynes (208-C-86) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
Taylor Britt (188-G-96) plays for Perth Wildcats in Australian NBL
Jordan Ngatai (196-F-93) plays for Cairns Taipans in Australian NBL
Mojave King (196-G-2) plays for Cairns Taipans in Australian NBL
Jarrod Kenny (188-G-85) plays for Cairns Taipans in Australian NBL
Taine Murray (196-SG-2) plays for New Zealand Breakers in Australian NBL
Tai Webster (193-G-95) plays for New Zealand Breakers in Australian NBL
Thomas Vodanovich (201-F-94) plays for Telstar in Luxembourg Total League
Shane Temara (205-F/C-95) plays for Vilsbiburg in German Regionalliga
Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa (188-G-96) plays for Melbourne Phoenix in Australian NBL