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

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

Isaac Fotu

   #1. This week's number one is former international power forward Isaac Fotu (203-1993, college: Hawaii, currently plays in Japan). He could not help Tochigi Brex (39-15) in their last game. Despite Fotu's good performance the second-placed Tochigi Brex (39-15) was edged 74-71 at home by the lower-ranked (#4) Chiba Jets in the East group. He scored 14 points in 27 minutes on the court; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Fotu's first season in pro basketball. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Fotu has relatively good stats this year: 13.8ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 61.8%(308-498), 3FGP: 37.0% and FT: 62.0% in 54 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Tongan and New Zealand. Fotu played for the New Zealand senior national team year ago.

Shea Ili

   #2. Second place goes to former international guard Shea Ili (184-1992, currently plays in Australia). He was not able to help United (13-5) in their last game on Monday. Despite Ili's very good performance the league leader United was edged 76-73 on the road by the lower-ranked JackJumpers (#4). He was the top scorer with 18 points. Ili also added 5 rebounds and dished 4 assists. This season Ili averages: 8.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.9apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 46.1%, 3FGP: 41.8% and FT: 76.5%. He played for the New Zealand national team in 20.

Yannick Wetzell

   #3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former international forward Yannick Wetzell (208-1996, college: SDSU, currently plays in Spain). Wetzell contributed to a 1-point Baskonia's victory against the 12th-ranked Unicaja (12-17) 73-72 in the Spanish Liga Endesa on Saturday night. He scored 6 points in only 12 minutes. TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (18-13) is placed seventh in the Liga Endesa. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. This year Wetzell's overall stats are: 6.0ppg, 2.0rpg and FT: 66.7% in two games. He played for the New Zealand national team year ago.

Mitchell Dance

   #4. Swingman Mitchell Dance (192-2001, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for Eltham Wildcats (1-2) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Dance's very good performance Eltham Wildcats (#16) were crushed 99-78 in Wendouree by the higher-ranked Ballarat Miners (#14) in the NBL1 South group. He was the top scorer with 21 points. Dance also added 6 rebounds. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Dance has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 18.3ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.3apg and 1.7spg. Dance used to play for the New Zealand national team back in 21.

Sioeli Vaiangina

   #5. Former U18 international forward Sioeli Vaiangina (202-1998, college: Panola JC, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help Wanneroo (4-0) in their last game on Friday. Despite Vaiangina's very good performance Wanneroo were crushed 110-77 in Perth by the lower-ranked Senators (#4) in the NBL1 West group. He scored 15 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Vaiangina's total stats this season are: 10.0ppg, 5.5rpg and 1.5apg. He used to play for the New Zealand U18 national team years ago.

Dyson King-Hawea

   #6. Forward Dyson King-Hawea (200-1992, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help Dandenong Rangers (1-2) in their last game. Despite King-Hawea's very good performance Dandenong Rangers (#11) lost 75-81 in East Burwood to the much higher-ranked (#4) Spectres in the NBL1 South group. He was the second best scorer with 15 points. King-Hawea also added 8 rebounds and dished 5 assists in 35 minutes. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. King-Hawea has very impressive stats this year: 22.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 4.7apg and 1.7spg in three games. He is a former international player as he played for the New Zealand senior team year ago.

Jonathan Janssen

   #7. Former international forward Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college: HPU, currently plays in Australia) led Phoenix to a victory over the 13th-ranked Rockets (0-1) crushing them 93-64 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday. Janssen was MVP of the game. He scored 22 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 4 assists; not bad, considering it's only Janssen's first season in pro basketball. Sunshine Coast Phoenix (1-1) is placed eighth in NBL1 North group. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This season Janssen has very high stats. He averages: 17.0ppg, 6.5rpg, 3.0apg and 3.0bpg. Janssen used to play for the New Zealand national team years ago.

Thomas Vodanovich

   #8. Forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college: JMU, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Sydney Kings to win against the closely-ranked Illawarra Hawks (19-9) 99-87 in the Australian NBL in Sunday night's game. Vodanovich scored only 2 points. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Sydney Kings (19-9) are placed third in the NBL. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. Vodanovich's total stats this season are: 3.4ppg and 2.2rpg. He used to play for the New Zealand national team back in 22.

James Hunter

   #9. Former international center James Hunter (208-1991, college: S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help Mustangs (2-3) in their last game. Despite Hunter's very good performance Mustangs (#7) lost 83-88 in Canberra to the higher-ranked (#4) Gunners in the NBL1 East group. He was the top scorer with 18 points. Hunter also added 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 34 minutes. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Hunter has very impressive stats this year: 16.0ppg, 7.8rpg and 1.2bpg in five games. He used to play for the New Zealand national team years ago.

Zac Carter

   #10. An experienced swingman Zac Carter (203-1989, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help South West Metro Pirates (0-1) in their game against Seahawks (1-0) in the Australian State League (second division). Carter scored 7 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. It was his first game for South West Metro Pirates this season. South West Metro Pirates (#11) were defeated 77-72 in Runaway Bay by the higher-ranked Seahawks (#5) in the NBL1 North group. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Carter is a former international player as years ago he still played for the New Zealand senior national team.

   #11. Former international forward Maxwell Darling (196-2000, agency: Octagon Europe, currently plays in Romania) couldn't help Constanta in their game against Cluj Napoca in the Romanian Liga Nationala. He scored 5 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 15 minutes. His team was crushed by 23 points 92-69. This year Darling's total stats are: 9.8ppg and 5.8rpg in 24 games. He used to play for the New Zealand national team years ago.

   #12. Former international guard Zane Meehl (188-1986, college: Mid-Continent, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Jonathan Janssen and both played together in the last Australian State League game. Meehl contributed to an easy victory against the 13th-ranked Rockets crushing them 93-64. He scored 9 points in only 10 minutes. Meehl has averaged so far 6.0ppg and 1.5rpg in two games. He used to play for the New Zealand national team back in 21.

   #13. Former international forward Mitchell Newton (199-1995, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Sioeli Vaiangina and both played together in the last Australian State League game. Newton couldn't help Wanneroo in their game against Senators. He cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones. Newton scored only 2 points in 25 minutes. His team were crushed by 33 points 110-77. Newton has averaged so far 5.8ppg, 1.8rpg and 1.5apg in four games. He used to play for the New Zealand national team years ago.

   #14. Former international guard Joshua Bloxham (186-90, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Sioeli Vaiangina. He played also in the last Australian State League game facing Mitchell Newton (above) in the other team. Bloxham couldn't help Wanneroo in their game against Senators. He cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones. Bloxham scored only 2 points in 7 minutes on the court. His team were crushed by 33 points 110-77. Bloxham has averaged so far 2.3ppg and 3.0rpg in three games. He used to play for the New Zealand national team back in 15.

   #15. Former U19 international forward Matt Freeman (207-1997, college: UCSB, currently plays in Germany) couldn't help Lions in their game against Seawolves in the German ProA (second division). He scored 6 points and added 4 assists in 40 minutes. His team lost 72-81. This year Freeman has relatively solid stats: 10.3ppg, 4.6rpg and 1.4apg in 34 games. He used to play for the New Zealand U19 national team years ago.


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-1998, currently plays in Australia) was the major contributor in a Townsville Heat's victory against the 13th-ranked Ipswich Force (0-2) 75-66 in the Australian State League (second division) last Friday. He scored 17 points and grabbed 4 rebounds (was perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line) in 32 minutes. It was his first game for Townsville Heat this season. His team is placed sixth in NBL1 North group. But the season just started, so everything may happen.

   #2. Mason Bragg (182-G-1993, currently plays in Australia) could not help Phoenix (1-1) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Phoenix (#8) lost 80-86 on the road to the higher-ranked (#4) Mackay Meteors in the NBL1 North group. Bragg was the top scorer with 21 points. He also added 4 boards, passed 4 assists and added 3 steals in 41 minutes. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Bragg has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 6.5apg and 2.5spg in two games he played so far.

   #3. Javaan Mumtaz (193-G, college: ENMU, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help Northside Wizards in their game against Brisbane Capitals (0-1) in the Australian State League (second division). Mumtaz scored 5 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. It was his first game for Northside Wizards this season. Northside Wizards were edged 80-79 in Brisbane by the much lower-ranked Capitals (#9) in the NBL1 North group. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.

   #4. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-1992, college: MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for the league outsider Suns (0-5) in their game against Hawks (3-1) in the Australian State League (second division). Shaw scored 7 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Suns (#12) were crushed 93-71 in Floreat by the higher-ranked Hawks (#6) in the NBL1 West group. So far Suns lost all five games in the Regular Season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This season Shaw has relatively solid stats: 10.4ppg and 8.4rpg.

   #5. Experienced Kazlo Evans (187-G-1980, currently plays in Australia) contributed to a 2-point South Adelaide Panthers' victory against the eighth-ranked Central District Lions (1-3) 94-92 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night. Evans scored 6 points and added 3 assists. South Adelaide Panthers (4-0) are placed first in NBL1 Central group. So far his team won all four games in the Regular Season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Evans has averaged so far 2.3ppg, 1.5rpg and 2.8apg.

   #6. Dion Collins (203-F, college: CSC, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Goldfields Giants to win against the third-ranked Flames 88-82 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday. Collins scored only 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Collins has averaged so far 2.7ppg and 2.7rpg.

   #7. Dylan Ryburn (185-G, college: Southeast CC, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help Vikings in their game against Devils in the Australian State League (second division). Ryburn scored 6 points. It was his first game for Vikings this season. His team were crushed by 31 points 121-90.