POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Here is the weekly review of the top performing New Zealand players, who play currently abroad.
#1. This week's number one is an international swingman
Zac Carter (203-89, currently plays in Australia). He led
Brisbane Capitals to a victory against the ninth-ranked Rip City (5-6)
79-75 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Carter scored 16 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 29 minutes on the court.
in group NBL1 North. Brisbane Capitals (7-6) are placed fourth.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
It's Carter's seventh season with the team.
This year he averages: 8.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 24.0%, 3FGP: 32.4% and FT: 70.4% in 12 games he played so far.
Carter has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.
Ex-Advice First Waikato Pistons player is currently a member of the New Zealand senior national team.
#2. Second place goes to former U19 international guard
Joe Cook-Green (185-97, college:
TxWes, currently plays in Australia). He could not help
Suns (4-9) in their last game. Despite Cook-Green's very good performance the 11th-placed Suns (4-9) lost
90-105 on the road to the second-ranked Lightning in the NBL1 West group.
He was the top scorer with 21 points. Cook-Green also added 5 rebounds and dished 6 assists in 36 minutes. It was his first game for Suns this season; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his third season in pro basketball. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial.
Cook-Green played for the New Zealand U19 national team in 2015.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former U18 international forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-98, college:
Panola JC, currently plays in Australia). He was not able to help
Wanneroo in their game against Senators (9-6) in the Australian State League (second division).
Vaiangina scored 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
Wanneroo were defeated
90-77 in Perth by the lower-ranked Senators (#6) in the NBL1 West group.
Vaiangina's overall stats this season are: 9.8ppg, 5.7rpg, 2FGP: 56.9%(58-102), 3FGP: 18.2% and FT: 53.0%.
He played for the New Zealand U18 national team seven years ago.
#4. An experienced forward
Mika Vukona (197-82, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Southern Districts Spartans in a victory against the 11th-ranked Ipswich Force (4-7)
98-85 in the Australian State League (second division) last Sunday.
Vukona scored 5 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 20 minutes. It was his first game for Brisbane Spartans this season.
in group NBL1 North. His team are placed second.
So far Brisbane Spartans won all eleven games in the Regular Season.
It's Vukona's first year with the team.
He is another player who holds two passports: Fijian and New Zealand.
Vukona is also New Zealand national team player.
#5. International center
Tane Kirisome (206-3, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the 14th-ranked Rockets (0-12) crushing them
120-93 in the Australian State League (second division) in Friday night's game.
He scored 6 points in 15 minutes.
in group NBL1 North. Logan Thunder (11-1) is placed first.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important.
It's Kirisome's first season with the team.
This year Kirisome averages only 2.9ppg in 11 games.
He plays currently for the New Zealand national team.
#6. Forward
Mitchell Newton (199-95, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Sioeli Vaiangina and both played together in the last Australian State League game.
Newton was not able to secure a victory for
Wanneroo (10-3) in their game against Senators (9-6).
He scored 6 points.
Wanneroo were defeated
90-77 in Perth by the lower-ranked Senators (#6) in the NBL1 West group.
Newton's overall stats this season are: 3.0ppg and 1.8rpg.
He is a former international player as he played for the New Zealand senior team six years ago.
#7. International guard
Zane Meehl (188-86, college:
Mid-Continent, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help
Phoenix (8-4) in their game against Townsville Heat (7-3) in the Australian State League (second division).
Meehl scored 7 points in 23 minutes.
Phoenix (#4) was badly defeated
78-60 in Hermit Park by the higher-ranked (#3) Townsville Heat in the NBL1 North group.
This year Meehl's overall stats are: 8.2ppg, 3.0rpg and 2.9apg in 10 games.
He is also New Zealand national team player.
The list of other players, who all have New Zealand passport but never been selected to any of New Zealand national teams: #1. Taine Wattie (190-G-98, currently plays in Australia) led
Buccaneers to a 3-point victory against the 12th-ranked Eagles (4-12)
75-72 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
He scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
in group NBL1 West. Geraldton Buccaneers (4-11) are placed 11th.
Wattie has relatively good stats this season: 11.7ppg, 2.7rpg and 1.5apg.
#2. Dion Collins (203-F, college:
CSC, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Giants (4-10) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his good performance Giants (#10) were crushed
96-60 on the road by the higher-ranked Flames (#5) in the NBL1 West group.
Collins recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added 3 assists.
Collins' overall stats this season are: 7.1ppg, 4.9rpg and 1.1apg.
#3. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-92, college:
MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Mandurah Magic to win against the third-ranked Tigers (10-4)
65-62 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Shaw scored only 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group NBL1 West. Mandurah Magic (9-8) is placed .
Shaw's total stats this season are: 8.1ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.5apg.
#4. Experienced
Zeke Meehl (181-G-88, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Phoenix in their game against Cairns Marlins (6-4) in the Australian State League (second division). He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
Meehl scored only 3 points in 5 minutes on the court.
Phoenix (#4) lost
82-88 in Cairns to the lower-ranked (#6) Marlins in the NBL1 North group.
This year Meehl averages just 2.9ppg in 11 games he played so far.
He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.
