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 forward
Yannick Wetzell (208-1996, college:
SDSU, currently plays in Spain). He could not help
Baskonia (20-14) to beat Real Madrid (25-9).
Wetzell scored 6 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 17 minutes on the court.
Baskonia lost
71-83 on the road to the second-ranked Real Madrid.
It was Baskonia's first loss after four consecutive victories.
This year Wetzell averages: 3.6ppg, 2.9rpg and FT: 66.7% in 11 games he played so far.
He played for the New Zealand senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international swingman
Mitchell Dance (192-2001, currently plays in Australia). Dance led
Eltham Wildcats to a surprising victory over the ninth-ranked Frankston Blues (5-4)
88-83 in the Australian State League (second division) last Friday.
He was MVP of the game. Dance scored 21 points.
Eltham Wildcats (1-8) are placed 19th in NBL1 South group.
They ended the series of eight consecutive loses.
Dance has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 18.8ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 45.2%, 3FGP: 31.4% and FT: 70.2%.
Dance played for the New Zealand national team in 21.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former U18 international forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-1998, college:
Panola JC, currently plays in Australia). He was not able to help
Wanneroo (8-0) in their last game. Despite Vaiangina's good performance the first-placed Wanneroo (8-0) lost
90-96 in Floreat to the lower-ranked (#6) Hawks in the NBL1 West group.
He scored 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 30 minutes.
This year Vaiangina's overall stats are: 9.6ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.3apg, 1.4bpg, 2FGP: 60.3%(35-58) and FT: 52.6% in nine games.
He played for the New Zealand U18 national team year ago.
#4. Forward
Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college:
HPU, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for
Phoenix (6-3) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Janssen's very good performance Phoenix (#3) was badly defeated
92-76 in Taigum by the lower-ranked Northside Wizards (#5) in the NBL1 North group.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and getting 12 rebounds.
This season Janssen has very high stats. He averages: 15.9ppg, 9.4rpg, 1.8apg and 1.4bpg.
Janssen has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 21.
#5. Former international swingman
Dion Prewster (195-1990, agency:
BIG, college:
SF Austin, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help
Sabres (6-5) in their last game. Despite Prewster's very good performance Sabres (#6) lost
78-86 in Kilsyth to the higher-ranked (#3) Cobras in the NBL1 South group.
He was the top scorer with 24 points. Prewster also added 5 rebounds in 36 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. It was Sabres' first loss after five consecutive victories.
Prewster has relatively good stats this year: 13.3ppg, 4.3rpg and 2.3apg in six games.
He is a naturalized American.
Prewster used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
He played also for Wellington Exodus Saints in New Zealand league.
#6. Center
James Hunter (208-1991, college:
S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help
Mustangs (5-6) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Hunter's very good performance Mustangs (#7) were defeated
105-92 in Narrabeen by the lower-ranked Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (#9) in the NBL1 East group.
He was the top scorer with 22 points. Hunter also added 7 rebounds.
This season Hunter has very high stats. He averages: 16.0ppg, 8.1rpg and 1.2bpg.
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) was the major contributor in a
Knox Raiders' victory against the fifth-ranked Waverley Falcons (6-3) crushing them
87-61 in the Australian State League (second division) on Sunday night.
Te Rangi scored 13 points in 22 minutes.
Knox Raiders (6-5) are placed seventh in NBL1 South group.
This year Te Rangi has relatively solid stats: 10.3ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.9apg and 1.1spg in eight games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#8. 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 (8-0) in their game against Hawks (6-4). He cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones.
Newton scored only 2 points.
Wanneroo were defeated
96-90 in Floreat by the lower-ranked Hawks (#6) in the NBL1 West group.
Newton's total stats this season are: 5.4ppg and 2.0rpg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 15.
#9. An experienced 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 couldn't help
Phoenix (6-3) in their game against Northside Wizards (4-2). He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
Meehl recorded only 3 points.
Phoenix (#3) was badly defeated
92-76 in Taigum by the lower-ranked Northside Wizards (#5) in the NBL1 North group.
Meehl's total stats this season are: 3.3ppg and 1.2rpg.
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 (2-4) in their last game. Despite his good performance Townsville Heat (#13) was badly defeated
103-84 on the road by the leading Rollers in the NBL1 North group.
Wattie recorded 10 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 31 minutes.
It was Townsville Heat's fourth consecutive loss in a row.
But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
This year Wattie has relatively solid stats: 14.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.4apg and 1.6spg in five games he played so far.
#2. Mason Bragg (182-G-1993, currently plays in Australia) was the major contributor in
Phoenix's victory against the 14th-ranked Brisbane Capitals (2-5)
79-73 in the Australian State League (second division) last Friday.
He scored 17 points, had 4 boards, dished 7 assists and stole 4 balls.
Sunshine Coast Phoenix (6-3) is placed third in NBL1 North group.
Bragg has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 18.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 5.7apg and 2.3spg.
#3. Matthew Wilson (200-F-1992, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Brisbane Spartans in their game against Ipswich Force (4-5) in the Australian State League (second division). Wilson cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
He recorded only 2 points in 9 minutes on the court.
Brisbane Spartans (#3) were crushed
116-87 in Booval by the lower-ranked (#9) Ipswich Force in the NBL1 North group.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
This year Wilson's total stats are: 2.3ppg and 1.3rpg in four games.
