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 could not help
Zalgiris (26-4) to beat Lietkabelis (23-7).
Webster scored 9 points in 23 minutes on the court.
But Zalgiris lost
69-73 at home to the lower-ranked (#3) Lietkabelis.
This year Webster averages: 7.8ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 55.7%(59-106), 3FGP: 35.1% and FT: 72.0% in 25 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 led
Tochigi Brex to a victory against the leader Kawasaki BT (42-13)
83-70 in the Japanese B1 League last Saturday.
Fotu recorded 11 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams. Link Tochigi Brex Utsunomiya (40-16) is placed second in East group.
Fotu has relatively good stats this season: 13.3ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 60.6%(327-540), 3FGP: 37.9% and FT: 63.3%.
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 forward
Yannick Wetzell (208-1996, college:
SDSU, currently plays in Spain). Wetzell managed to help Bitci Baskonia Vitoria to win against the closely-ranked Valencia (23-11)
80-79 in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Tuesday night's game.
He recorded only 4 points.
Bitci Baskonia Vitoria (20-14) is placed sixth in the Liga Endesa.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
Wetzell's overall stats this season are: 4.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 2FGP: 58.8%(10-17).
He played for the New Zealand national team year ago.
#4. Guard
Shea Ili (184-1992, currently plays in Australia) was the major contributor in
Sabres' victory against the 15th-ranked Tigers (2-5)
85-80 in the Australian State League (second division) last Sunday.
Ili recorded 24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in 33 minutes.
Sandringham Sabres (4-4) are placed 12th in NBL1 South group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
Ili has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 22.3ppg, 4.3rpg, 5.0apg and 1.3spg in three games.
Ili used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 20.
#5. Former U18 international forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-1998, college:
Panola JC, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Wanneroo (7-0) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his good performance the first-placed Wanneroo (7-0) were edged
73-70 on the road by the much lower-ranked Giants (#11) in the NBL1 West group.
Vaiangina recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points and getting 12 rebounds. He also added 2 blocks.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
Vaiangina's overall stats this year are: 9.1ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.3apg and 1.6bpg.
He used to play for the New Zealand U18 national team
years ago.
#6. Forward
Dyson King-Hawea (200-1992, currently plays in Australia) led
Dandenong Rangers to a 3-point victory over the 16th-ranked Thunder (2-5)
80-77 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
King-Hawea was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 10 rebounds in 36 minutes.
Dandenong Rangers (2-5) are placed 14th in NBL1 South group.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
King-Hawea has very impressive stats this year: 16.9ppg, 8.9rpg, 3.7apg and 1.4spg in seven games.
He 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) contributed to an easy victory against the seventh-ranked Kilsyth Cobras (5-3) crushing them
98-72 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
Te Rangi scored 11 points, made 4 passes and 3 steals in 21 minutes.
Knox Raiders (4-3) are placed tenth in NBL1 South group.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Te Rangi's overall stats are: 9.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.0apg and 1.5spg in four games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#8. Center
James Hunter (208-1991, college:
S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia) led
Mustangs to a victory over the sixth-ranked Sutherland Sharks (4-3)
71-64 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Hunter was the best player in that game. He recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 14 rebounds. Hunter also added 2 blocks; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Maitland Mustangs (2-6) are placed eighth in NBL1 East group.
This season Hunter has very high stats. He averages: 17.3ppg, 8.5rpg and 1.4bpg.
Hunter used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 17.
#9. An experienced former international swingman
Zac Carter (203-1989, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for
South West Metro Pirates (3-2) in their game against Rollers (4-1) in the Australian State League (second division).
He scored 9 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 23 minutes.
But South West Metro Pirates (#6) lost
84-96 in Gold Coast to the higher-ranked (#4) Rollers in the NBL1 North group.
They ended the series of three consecutive victories.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Carter's total stats are: 9.8ppg and 10.8rpg in four games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#10. Swingman
Dion Prewster (195-1990, agency:
BIG, college:
SF Austin, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Shea Ili. But that was another game of his team in Australian State League which we would like to mention.
Prewster contributed to
Sabres' surprising victory against the fourth-ranked Spectres (5-2)
83-82.
He scored 15 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 32 minutes; not bad, considering it's only Prewster's first season in pro basketball. Sandringham Sabres (4-4) are placed 12th in NBL1 South group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
Prewster has averaged so far 9.7ppg, 5.3rpg and 2.7apg in three games.
He is a naturalized American.
Prewster is a former international player as years ago he still played for the New Zealand senior national team.
He used to play for Wellington Exodus Saints in New Zealand league.
#11. Former international forward
Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college:
HPU, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the 16th-ranked Brisbane Spartans
104-87 in the Australian State League (second division) last Sunday.
Janssen recorded a double-double by scoring 10 points and getting the same number of rebounds.
This season Janssen has relatively solid stats: 14.2ppg, 8.2rpg, 2.3apg and 1.7bpg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#12. Former international swingman
Mitchell Dance (192-2001, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help the league outsider
Eltham Wildcats in their game against Waverley Falcons in the Australian State League (second division).
Dance scored 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 38 minutes.
His team lost
82-94.
Dance has very impressive stats this year: 18.8ppg and 5.8rpg in six games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 21.
#13. 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 16th-ranked Brisbane Spartans
104-87.
He recorded only 3 points in 10 minutes.
Meehl has averaged so far 4.5ppg and 1.5rpg in six 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. Taine Wattie (190-G-1998, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Townsville Heat (2-3) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the 12th-placed Townsville Heat (2-3) lost
91-100 on the road to the second-ranked Rockets in the NBL1 North group.
Wattie was the second best scorer with 23 points. He also added 7 boards, dished 4 assists and stole 4 balls in 33 minutes.
It was Townsville Heat's third consecutive loss in a row.
But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
Wattie has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.0apg and 2.0spg in four games he played so far.
#2. Mason Bragg (182-G-1993, currently plays in Australia) led
Phoenix to a victory over the 16th-ranked Brisbane Spartans (0-4)
104-87 in the Australian State League (second division) last Sunday.
Bragg was the best player in that game. He recorded 23 points and added 5 assists.
Sunshine Coast Phoenix (4-2) is placed third 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.
This season Bragg has very high stats. He averages: 18.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 5.8apg and 2.0spg.
#3. Javaan Mumtaz (193-G, college:
ENMU, currently plays in Australia) contributed to a
Northside Wizards' victory against the 15th-ranked Seahawks (1-4)
111-101 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
Mumtaz scored 12 points and added 4 passes.
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 8.0ppg, 3.0rpg and 1.7apg.
#4. Experienced
Kazlo Evans (187-G-1980, currently plays in Australia) helped
South Adelaide Panthers edge the tenth-ranked Eastern Mavericks (1-6)
96-94 in the Australian State League (second division) in Sunday night's game.
Evans recorded 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
South Adelaide Panthers (6-1) are placed second in NBL1 Central group.
Evans has averaged so far 3.0ppg, 2.9rpg and 2.7apg.
#5. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-1992, college:
MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Suns in their game against Senators (6-2) in the Australian State League (second division). Shaw cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
He scored only 3 points.
Suns (#12) were crushed
102-63 in Perth by the much higher-ranked Senators (#3) in the NBL1 West group.
Shaw has averaged so far 9.2ppg and 7.2rpg.
