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 (193-1995, agency:
Network Sports International, college:
Nebraska, currently plays in Lithuania). He led
Zalgiris to a 1-point victory over the closely-ranked Lietkabelis (23-7)
71-70 in the Lithuanian LKL in Saturday night's game.
Webster was MVP of the game. He recorded 14 points and had 3 steals in 29 minutes on the court; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Webster's first season in pro basketball. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas (26-4) is placed second in the LKL.
This year Webster averages: 8.2ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 55.7%(59-106), 3FGP: 36.4% and FT: 72.0% in 24 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
Isaac Fotu (203-1993, college:
Hawaii, currently plays in Japan). He contributed to a
Tochigi Brex's victory against the fourth-ranked Chiba Jets (35-10)
81-70 in the Japanese B1 League last Saturday.
Fotu recorded 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Link Tochigi Brex Utsunomiya (40-16) is placed second in East group.
Fotu has relatively good stats this season: 13.5ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 61.0%(321-526), 3FGP: 37.0% and FT: 63.0%.
He has a dual citizenship: Tongan and New Zealand.
Fotu played for the New Zealand national team in 19.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former international power forward
Steven Adams (213-1993, college:
Pittsburgh, currently plays in NBA). He could not help the
Memphis Grizzlies to beat the Golden State Warriors (54-29).
Adams scored only 4 points, had 10 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 28 minutes.
His team lost
96-110 on the road to the Golden State Warriors.
This year Adams' overall stats are: 6.7ppg, 9.7rpg, 3.3apg, 2FGP: 54.3% and FT: 54.3% in 83 games.
He played for the New Zealand national team year ago.
#4. Swingman
Mitchell Dance (192-2001, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Eltham Wildcats (1-4) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Dance's very good performance the 17th-placed Eltham Wildcats (1-4) were defeated
85-76 in Geelong by the second-ranked Supercats in the NBL1 South group.
He was the top scorer with 28 points. Dance also added 4 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: 21.4ppg and 6.2rpg.
Dance used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 21.
#5. Former U18 international forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-1998, college:
Panola JC, currently plays in Australia) led
Wanneroo to an easy victory against the 14th-ranked Slammers (0-8) crushing them
120-67 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
He scored 13 points, had 7 rebounds and made 2 blocks in 21 minutes.
Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (6-0) are placed first in NBL1 West group.
So far his team won all six games in the Regular Season.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
This year Vaiangina's total stats are: 8.8ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.3apg and 1.5bpg in six games.
He used to play for the New Zealand U18 national team
years ago.
#6. Center
James Hunter (208-1991, college:
S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for
Mustangs (2-5) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Hunter's very good performance Mustangs (#7) were badly defeated
91-73 in Terrigal by the lower-ranked Crusaders (#9) in the NBL1 East group.
He was the top scorer with 24 points. Hunter also added 9 rebounds and made 3 blocks.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This season Hunter has very high stats. He averages: 17.4ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.1apg and 1.3bpg.
Hunter is a former international player as he played for the New Zealand senior team year ago.
#7. Former international swingman
Reuben Te Rangi (198-1994, currently plays in Australia) led
Knox Raiders to an easy victory against the 17th-ranked Eltham Wildcats (1-4) crushing them
95-69 in the Australian State League (second division) last Sunday.
Te Rangi recorded 15 points.
Knox Raiders (3-3) are placed 11th in NBL1 South group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Te Rangi has averaged so far 9.0ppg, 2.3rpg and 1.3apg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#8. Guard
Shea Ili (184-1992, currently plays in Australia) led
Sabres to a victory over the 18th-ranked Bendigo Braves (0-5)
71-65 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
Ili was the best player in that game. He scored 23 points in 33 minutes. It was his first game for Sabres this season.
His team are placed 14th in NBL1 South group.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Ili used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 20.
#9. 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 helped
Wanneroo win their game against the 14th-ranked Slammers (0-8) crushing them
120-67.
He scored 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
Newton has averaged so far 7.8ppg, 2.3rpg and 1.2apg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#10. An experienced swingman
Zac Carter (203-1989, currently plays in Australia) managed to help South West Metro Pirates in a 3-point victory against the 14th-ranked Cairns Marlins (1-3)
93-90 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
Carter scored 5 points, had 12 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 37 minutes.
South West Metro Pirates (3-1) are placed first in NBL1 North group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Carter has averaged so far 10.0ppg, 11.3rpg and 1.3apg in three games.
He is a former international player as years ago he still played for the New Zealand senior national team.
#11. Former international forward
Dyson King-Hawea (200-1992, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help
Dandenong Rangers in their game against NW Tasmania Thunder in the Australian State League (second division).
King-Hawea scored 6 points, had 11 rebounds and dished 7 assists.
His team were defeated
70-59.
This season King-Hawea has very high stats. He averages: 19.4ppg, 9.4rpg, 4.6apg and 1.6spg.
King-Hawea used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#12. Former international forward
Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college:
HPU, currently plays in Australia) helped
Phoenix win their game against the 12th-ranked Northside Wizards
87-79 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
He scored 8 points, had 9 rebounds, passed 3 assists and added 3 blocks in 38 minutes.
This year Janssen has relatively solid stats: 15.0ppg, 7.8rpg, 2.8apg and 2.0bpg in five games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 21.
#13. Former international swingman
Dion Prewster (195-1990, agency:
BIG, college:
SF Austin, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Shea Ili and both played together in the last Australian State League game.
Prewster helped
Sabres win their game against the 18th-ranked Bendigo Braves
71-65.
He scored 9 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 32 minutes. It was his first game for Sabres this season.
Prewster is a naturalized American.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
Prewster played also for Wellington Exodus Saints in New Zealand league.
#14. Former U18 international guard
Zach Young (185-1994, college:
Nicholls St., currently plays in Australia) couldn't help
Thunder in their game against Salties in the Australian State League (second division). He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
Young scored only 2 points.
His team was defeated
97-93.
Young has averaged so far 3.0ppg and 1.5rpg.
He used to play for the New Zealand U18 national team
back in 12.
#15. 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 12th-ranked Northside Wizards
87-79.
He scored only 2 points in 9 minutes on the court.
Meehl has averaged so far 4.8ppg and 1.2rpg in five games.
He used to play for the New Zealand 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. Mason Bragg (182-G-1993, currently plays in Australia) led
Phoenix to a victory over the 12th-ranked Northside Wizards (1-2)
87-79 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
He was the best player in that game. Bragg scored 23 points, had 5 rebounds and dished 7 assists in 36 minutes.
Sunshine Coast Phoenix (3-2) is placed second in NBL1 North group.
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: 17.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 6.0apg and 2.2spg in five games he played so far.
#2. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-1992, college:
MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Suns (1-6) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Shaw's good performance Suns (#12) were defeated
110-95 on the road by the much higher-ranked Magic (#4) in the NBL1 West group.
He was the second best scorer with 12 points. Shaw also added 6 rebounds and made 2 blocks.
Shaw has averaged so far 10.0ppg and 7.9rpg.
#3. Dylan Ryburn (185-G, college:
Southeast CC, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Vikings in their game against Devils (9-0) in the Australian State League (second division).
Ryburn scored 5 points.
Vikings (#5) were crushed
102-78 in Werribee by the leading Devils in the Big V group.
This season Ryburn averages only 4.8ppg.
