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.
#1. This week's number one is former international guard
Tai Webster (193-1995, agency:
Network Sports International, college:
Nebraska, currently plays in Lithuania). He could not help
Zalgiris (5-3) in their last game. Despite Webster's very good performance Zalgiris lost
78-87 on the road to the lower-ranked (#7) Neptunas.
He was the second best scorer with 17 points in a mere 15 minutes on the court; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Webster's first season in pro basketball. This year Webster averages: 8.0ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.5apg, 2FGP: 53.9%, 3FGP: 36.7% and FT: 73.9% in 21 games he played so far.
Former Advice First Waikato Pistons starter played for the New Zealand senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international power forward
Steven Adams (213-1993, college:
Pittsburgh, currently plays in NBA). He was not able to help the
Memphis Grizzlies (56-26) in their last game on Monday. Despite Adams' good performance the Memphis Grizzlies (56-26) were edged
101-98 in Oakland by the Golden State Warriors.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 10 points and getting 15 rebounds. Adams also added 3 assists.
Adams' overall stats this season are: 6.7ppg, 9.7rpg, 3.3apg, 2FGP: 54.5% and FT: 54.4%.
He played for the New Zealand national team in 19.
#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
Baskonia's victory against the closely-ranked Tenerife (20-13)
91-78 in the Spanish Liga Endesa on Wednesday night.
He recorded 6 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 20 minutes.
Bitci Baskonia Vitoria (20-13) is placed fifth in the Liga Endesa.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical.
This year Wetzell's overall stats are: 5.0ppg, 2.5rpg and FT: 66.7% in four games.
He played for the New Zealand national team year ago.
#4. Power forward
Isaac Fotu (203-1993, college:
Hawaii, currently plays in Japan) was not able to secure a victory for
Tochigi Brex (40-16) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Fotu's good performance the second-placed Tochigi Brex (40-16) was defeated
67-56 in Tokyo by the lower-ranked Alvark (#3) in the East group.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 10 points and getting the same number of rebounds.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial.
Fotu has relatively good stats this season: 13.7ppg, 6.3rpg and 1.2apg.
He has a dual citizenship: Tongan and New Zealand.
Fotu used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 19.
#5. Former international forward
Dyson King-Hawea (200-1992, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help
Dandenong Rangers (1-3) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Dandenong Rangers (#14) lost
89-99 in Mt Gambier to the leading Mount Gambier Pioneers in the NBL1 South group.
King-Hawea had a double-double by scoring 24 points and getting 14 rebounds in 36 minutes.
It was Dandenong Rangers' third consecutive loss in a row.
But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
King-Hawea has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 22.8ppg, 9.0rpg, 4.0apg and 1.8spg in four games.
King-Hawea used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#6. An experienced swingman
Zac Carter (203-1989, currently plays in Australia) was the major contributor in a
South West Metro Pirates' victory against the 11th-ranked Ipswich Force (1-3)
105-92 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 16 rebounds.
South West Metro Pirates (1-1) are placed tenth in NBL1 North group.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
This year Carter has relatively solid stats: 12.5ppg and 11.0rpg.
He is a former international player as he played for the New Zealand senior team year ago.
#7. Former international forward
Mitchell Newton (199-1995, currently plays in Australia) led
Wanneroo to an easy victory against the ninth-ranked Lightning (2-3) crushing them
86-58 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
Newton recorded 13 points in only a mere 12 minutes.
Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (5-0) are placed first in NBL1 West group.
So far his team won all five games in the Regular Season.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Newton's total stats are: 7.2ppg, 2.0rpg and 1.2apg in five games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#8. Forward
Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college:
HPU, currently plays in Australia) led
Phoenix to an easy victory against the 14th-ranked Seahawks (1-2) crushing them
115-80 in the Australian State League (second division) in Sunday night's game.
Janssen scored 20 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished 3 assists; not bad, considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Sunshine Coast Phoenix (2-2) is placed fourth 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: 16.8ppg, 7.5rpg, 2.8apg and 1.8bpg.
Janssen used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 21.
#9. Former international center
James Hunter (208-1991, college:
S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help
Mustangs (2-4) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Mustangs (#7) lost
93-103 in Wollongong to the higher-ranked (#4) Hawks in the NBL1 East group.
Hunter was the second best scorer with 18 points. He also added 6 rebounds in 27 minutes.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Hunter has very impressive stats this year: 16.3ppg and 7.5rpg in six games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#10. Swingman
Reuben Te Rangi (198-1994, currently plays in Australia) contributed to a
Knox Raiders' surprising victory against the second-ranked Geelong Supercats (4-1)
70-64 in the Australian State League (second division) on Friday night.
Te Rangi scored 8 points.
Knox Raiders (2-3) are placed 12th in NBL1 South group.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Te Rangi has averaged so far 6.0ppg, 2.0rpg and 1.5spg.
He is a former international player as years ago he still played for the New Zealand senior national team.
#11. 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 helped
Phoenix win their game against the 14th-ranked Seahawks crushing them
115-80.
He scored 10 points.
This season Meehl averages only 5.5ppg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#12. Former U18 international guard
Zach Young (185-1994, college:
Nicholls St., currently plays in Australia) managed to help Logan Thunder in a victory against the 15th-ranked Brisbane Spartans crushing them
97-72 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
Young recorded only 4 points in 6 minutes on the court. It was his first game for Thunder this season.
Young used to play for the New Zealand U18 national team
back in 12.
The list of other players, who all have New Zealand passport but never been selected to any of New Zealand national teams: #1. Mason Bragg (182-G-1993, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Phoenix (2-2) in their last game. Despite Bragg's very good performance Phoenix (#4) was edged
90-88 on the road by the lower-ranked (#5) Rollers in the NBL1 North group.
He was the top scorer with 25 points. Bragg also added 5 rebounds and 7 assists in 40 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: 16.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 5.8apg and 2.5spg in four games he played so far.
#2. Taine Wattie (190-G-1998, currently plays in Australia) led
Townsville Heat to an easy victory against the 16th-ranked Salties (1-1)
94-78 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
Wattie recorded 14 points.
Townsville Heat (2-0) is placed third in NBL1 North group.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This season Wattie has very high stats. He averages: 15.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.5apg and 1.5spg.
#3. Matthew Wilson (200-F-1992, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Brisbane Spartans in their game against Thunder (1-0) in the Australian State League (second division).
Wilson recorded 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in only 14 minutes. It was his first game for Brisbane Spartans this season.
Brisbane Spartans (#10) were crushed
97-72 in Loganholme by the higher-ranked (#6) Thunder 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) contributed to an
Suns' surprising victory against Eagles (4-12) crushing them
86-63 in the Australian State League (second division) last Sunday.
Shaw scored 9 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
Kalamunda Eastern Suns (1-6) are placed 11th in NBL1 West group.
It was his team's first victory after six consecutive loses.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Shaw has averaged so far 9.7ppg and 8.1rpg.
#5. Javaan Mumtaz (193-G, college:
ENMU, currently plays in Australia) contributed to a
Northside Wizards' victory against the 12th-ranked Rip City (1-1)
102-94 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
He recorded 7 points in 27 minutes.
Northside Wizards (12-2) are placed first in NBL1 North group.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Mumtaz has averaged so far 6.0ppg and 4.0rpg in two games.
#6. Experienced
Kazlo Evans (187-G-1980, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for
South Adelaide Panthers in their game against Woodville Warriors in the Australian State League (second division). He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
Evans recorded only 2 points.
His team were defeated
91-82.
Evans has averaged so far 2.2ppg, 1.8rpg and 2.6apg.
#7. Dylan Ryburn (185-G, college:
Southeast CC, currently plays in Australia) helped
Vikings win their game against the seventh-ranked Hume City Broncos
107-103 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
He recorded 8 points in only 11 minutes.
This year Ryburn averages only 4.7ppg in three games.
