POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
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 U18 international forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-98, college:
Panola JC, currently plays in Australia). He led
Wanneroo to a victory over the second-ranked Hawks (14-4)
79-70 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Vaiangina was MVP of the game. He scored 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 31 minutes on the court; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Vaiangina's second season in pro basketball. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group NBL1 West. Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (11-3) are placed first in NBL1 West group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
Vaiangina has relatively good stats this year: 10.4ppg, 5.9rpg, 2FGP: 58.4%(66-113), 3FGP: 21.4% and FT: 53.0% in 17 games he played so far.
He played for the New Zealand U18 national team seven years ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international 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 contributed to
Wanneroo's victory against the second-ranked Hawks (14-4)
79-70.
He scored 9 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 27 minutes.
This year Newton averages: 4.2ppg, 2.6rpg in five games.
He played for the New Zealand national team in 2015.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former U19 international guard
Joe Cook-Green (185-97, college:
TxWes, currently plays in Australia). Cook-Green could not help
Suns (4-10) in their last game on Thursday. Despite his very good performance the 11th-placed Suns (4-10) were defeated
105-90 on the road by the leading Lightning in the NBL1 West group.
Cook-Green was the top scorer with 21 points. He also added 5 rebounds and dished 6 assists.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial.
Cook-Green has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 16.5ppg, 9.0rpg, 6.0apg, 2FGP: 57.1%(12-21), 3FGP: 22.2%.
Cook-Green played for the New Zealand U19 national team six years ago.
#4. Center
Jack Salt (208-96, college:
Virginia, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the 12th-ranked Roar (3-8) crushing them
107-78 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
He scored 10 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 21 minutes. It was his first game for Northside Wizards this season.
in group NBL1 North. His team are placed first.
It was Northside Wizards' fourth consecutive victory in a row.
Salt used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 2018.
#5. An experienced international forward
Mika Vukona (197-82, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Brisbane Spartans in their game against Thunder (12-1) in the Australian State League (second division).
He scored 5 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
Brisbane Spartans were crushed
132-99 in Loganholme by the leading Thunder in the NBL1 North group.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important.
Vukona's overall stats this season are: 5.0ppg, 9.0rpg and 1.5apg.
He has a dual citizenship: Fijian and New Zealand.
Vukona plays currently for the New Zealand national team.
#6. Guard
Zane Meehl (188-86, college:
Mid-Continent, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for
Phoenix (9-4) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his good performance Phoenix (#4) was defeated
106-99 in Sippy Downs by the lower-ranked Rip City (#9) in the NBL1 North group.
Meehl scored 10 points and added 5 assists.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Meehl's overall stats this season are: 8.4ppg, 2.9rpg and 3.1apg.
He is an international player who is currently on the senior New Zealand National Team roster.
#7. International center
Tane Kirisome (206-3, currently plays in Australia) faced previously mentioned Mika Vukona in the Australian State League last game.
Kirisome contributed to an easy victory against the eighth-ranked Brisbane Spartans (6-6) crushing them
132-99.
He scored 6 points in only 8 minutes.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season.
This year Kirisome averages only 3.2ppg in 12 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 1-point victory against the seventh-ranked Redbacks (10-6)
68-67 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
Wattie scored 15 points and grabbed 4 rebounds (went 5 for 5 at the free throw line).
in group NBL1 West. Geraldton Buccaneers (5-11) are placed tenth.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
This season Wattie has relatively solid stats: 12.0ppg, 2.8rpg and 1.5apg.
#2. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-92, college:
MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) led
Magic to a victory against the 13th-ranked Suns (4-13)
85-75 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
He scored 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 22 minutes.
in group NBL1 West. Mandurah Magic (9-8) is placed .
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season.
This year Shaw's overall stats are: 8.1ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.4apg in 17 games he played so far.
#3. Dion Collins (203-F, college:
CSC, currently plays in Australia). Collins could not help
Giants (4-12) to beat Slammers (3-11). He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
Collins scored only 3 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
Giants (#11) were defeated
86-81 on the road by the lower-ranked Slammers (#14) in the NBL1 West group.
It was Giants' seventh consecutive loss in a row.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Collins' overall stats this season are: 6.8ppg and 4.6rpg.
