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 guard
Tai Webster (193-95, college:
Nebraska, currently plays in Australia). He could not help
New Zealand Breakers (12-24) in their last game. Despite Webster's very good performance New Zealand Breakers lost
78-83 on the road to the higher-ranked (#5) Melbourne Phoenix.
He was the top scorer with 26 points. Webster also added 4 rebounds in 38 minutes on the court.
The Regular Season already ended.
It's Webster's first season with the team.
He has individually a very good year with high stats. Webster averages: 17.2ppg, 4.8rpg, 5.0apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 43.0%, 3FGP: 38.2% and FT: 57.7% in 29 games he played so far.
Former Advice First Waikato Pistons starter played for the New Zealand senior national team two years ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international forward
Finn Delany (198-95, college:
SW Baptist, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Tai Webster and both played together in the last Australian NBL game.
Delany. He was not able to help
New Zealand Breakers (12-24) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Delany's very good performance New Zealand Breakers were defeated
83-78 in Melbourne by the higher-ranked Phoenix (#5).
He was the second best scorer with 18 points. Delany also added 7 rebounds and dished 4 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line).
This season Delany has very high stats. He averages: 16.2ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 56.7%(136-240), 3FGP: 34.3% and FT: 82.7%.
Delany has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Irish.
He played for the New Zealand national team in 2019.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was an international guard
Shea Ili (184-92, currently plays in Australia). Ili led
United to an easy victory against the sixth-ranked Adelaide 36ers (5-8) crushing them
102-80 in the Australian NBL on Sunday night.
He scored 11 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 8 assists in 26 minutes.
Melbourne United (27-8) is placed first in the NBL.
Ili's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical.
This year Ili's overall stats are: 7.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.1apg, 2FGP: 42.6%, 3FGP: 41.7% and FT: 75.6% in 28 games.
He is also a member of the New Zealand senior national team.
#4. Center
Tyrell Harrison (213-99, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for
Bullets (18-18) in their game against Kings (19-17) in the Australian NBL.
Harrison scored 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Bullets were edged
83-82 in Sydney by the higher-ranked Kings (#4).
The Regular Season already ended.
Harrison's total stats this season are: 5.2ppg and 5.9rpg.
He is also New Zealand national team player.
#5. An experienced former international guard
Corey Webster (188-88, college:
Lambuth, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Tai Webster. He played also in the last Australian NBL game facing Finn Delany (above) in the other team.
Webster couldn't help
New Zealand Breakers (12-24) in their game against Melbourne Phoenix (19-17).
He scored only 4 points.
New Zealand Breakers were defeated
83-78 in Melbourne by the higher-ranked Phoenix (#5).
Webster has relatively good stats this season: 13.4ppg, 3.3rpg and 2.8apg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
two years ago.
#6. Forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-98, college:
Panola JC, currently plays in Australia) contributed to
Wanneroo's victory against the ninth-ranked Giants (3-5)
82-71 in the Australian State League (second division) in Sunday night's game.
Vaiangina scored 6 points and blocked 3 blocks in 22 minutes.
Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (5-1) are placed second in NBL1 West group.
This year Vaiangina has relatively solid stats: 10.5ppg, 5.1rpg and 1.1bpg in eight games.
He is a former U18 international player as he played for the New Zealand team seven years ago.
#7. International swingman
Zac Carter (203-89, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Brisbane Capitals to win against the 13th-ranked South West Metro Pirates (0-4)
86-78 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
Carter scored 5 points and added 3 passes.
Brisbane Capitals (4-1) are placed second in NBL1 North group.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
Carter has been at the team for seven years.
His total stats this season are: 7.0ppg and 5.4rpg.
Carter is also New Zealand national team player.
#8. Guard
Ezra Nikora (183-91, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the 13th-ranked Cougars (2-7)
89-72 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
He scored only 4 points and added 3 assists in 18 minutes.
Perth Redbacks (12-6) are placed in NBL1 West group.
This year Nikora's total stats are: 1.2ppg, 2.2rpg and 1.6apg in five games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 2013.
The list of other players, who all have New Zealand passport but never been selected to any of New Zealand national teams: #1. Matthew Wilson (200-F-92, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the ninth-ranked Northside Wizards (2-3) crushing them
91-67 in the Australian State League (second division) last Sunday.
Wilson scored 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 16 minutes.
Southern Districts Spartans (5-0) are placed second in NBL1 North group.
So far his team won all five games in the Regular Season.
But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
This year Wilson's total stats are: 5.3ppg and 2.5rpg in four games he played so far.
#2. Dion Collins (203-F, college:
CSC, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Giants (3-5) in their last game. Despite his good performance the ninth-placed Giants (3-5) were crushed
118-90 on the road by the second-ranked Lightning in the NBL1 West group.
Collins scored 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 26 minutes.
It was Giants' third consecutive loss in a row.
This year Collins' total stats are: 7.1ppg and 4.5rpg in eight games.
#3. Taine Wattie (190-G-98, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Buccaneers in their game against Suns (1-6) in the Australian State League (second division).
He scored 5 points.
The tenth-placed Buccaneers (2-4) were badly defeated
94-74 in Kalamunda by the lower-ranked Suns (#14) in the NBL1 West group.
It was Buccaneers' third consecutive loss in a row.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Wattie's total stats this season are: 9.0ppg, 1.5rpg and 2.3apg.
#4. Mason Bragg (182-G-93, currently plays in Australia) managed to help NW Tasmania Thunder to win against the third-ranked Huskies (7-3)
94-81 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
Bragg scored only 3 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 7 assists.
It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group NBL1 South. NW Tasmania Thunder (8-2) is placed first.
Bragg has averaged so far 6.4ppg, 3.5rpg, 5.5apg and 1.4spg.
#5. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-92, college:
MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) contributed to
Magic's victory against the 13th-ranked Cougars (2-7)
91-78 in the Australian State League (second division) in Friday night's game.
He scored 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in only 10 minutes.
Mandurah Magic (9-8) is placed in NBL1 West group.
Shaw has averaged so far 8.3ppg, 4.6rpg and 1.9apg in eight games.
#6. Experienced
Zeke Meehl (181-G-88, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the 14th-ranked Rockets crushing them
115-73 in the Australian State League (second division) last Sunday.
He scored 5 points.
Meehl has averaged so far 3.6ppg, 1.4rpg and 1.6apg.
He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.
