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 swingman
Mitchell Dance (192-2001, currently plays in Australia). He could not help
Eltham Wildcats (4-6) in their last game. Despite Dance's very good performance the 15th-placed Eltham Wildcats (4-6) were edged
86-83 on the road by the much higher-ranked (#5) Huskies in the NBL1 South group.
He was the top scorer with 23 points. Dance also added 7 rebounds and dished 4 assists in 38 minutes on the court.
Dance has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 19.2ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 47.2%, 3FGP: 33.3% and FT: 65.4% in nine games he played so far.
Dance played for the New Zealand senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international forward
Dyson King-Hawea (200-1992, currently plays in Australia). He was not able to help
Dandenong Rangers (3-8) in their last game on Sunday. Despite King-Hawea's very good performance Dandenong Rangers (#15) were edged
72-70 in Wendouree by the second-ranked Ballarat Miners in the NBL1 South group.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and getting 12 rebounds.
This season King-Hawea has very high stats. He averages: 16.1ppg, 8.9rpg, 3.1apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 49.0%, 3FGP: 33.3% and FT: 59.4%.
King-Hawea played for the New Zealand national team in 17.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former international guard
Shea Ili (184-1992, currently plays in Australia). He led
Sabres to a victory over the 16th-ranked Cavaliers (3-8)
94-89 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
Ili was MVP of the game. He scored 27 points (!!!), grabbed 9 boards, dished 6 assists and stole 3 balls in 34 minutes.
Sandringham Sabres (7-5) are placed seventh in NBL1 South group.
Ili has very impressive stats this year: 22.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 6.3apg, 2.2spg, 2FGP: 54.2%, 3FGP: 33.3% and FT: 76.5% in six games.
He played for the New Zealand national team year ago.
#4. An experienced swingman
Zac Carter (203-1989, currently plays in Australia) was the main contributor in a 1-point
South West Metro Pirates' victory against the 14th-ranked Seahawks (3-7)
90-89 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Carter was the best player in that game. He scored 19 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
South West Metro Pirates (4-5) are placed ninth in NBL1 North group.
They ended the series of four consecutive loses.
Carter's overall stats this season are: 9.8ppg and 9.3rpg.
He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.
Carter used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 21.
#5. Former international swingman
Reuben Te Rangi (198-1994, currently plays in Australia) contributed to a
Knox Raiders' victory against the 14th-ranked Diamond Valley Eagles (5-6)
89-84 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
He scored 13 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
Knox Raiders (7-5) are placed sixth in NBL1 South group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
Te Rangi has relatively good stats this season: 10.6ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.8apg and 1.1spg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#6. Forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-1998, college:
Panola JC, currently plays in Australia) helped
Wanneroo win their game against the 13th-ranked Slammers (1-11)
99-84 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Vaiangina scored 7 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and made 2 blocks in 25 minutes.
Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (12-0) are placed first in NBL1 West group.
So far his team won all twelve games in the Regular Season.
This year Vaiangina's overall stats are: 9.3ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.3apg and 1.5bpg in 12 games.
He is a former U18 international player as he played for the New Zealand team year ago.
#7. Former international center
James Hunter (208-1991, college:
S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia) was the major contributor in
Mustangs' surprising victory against the leader Hunters (8-2) crushing them
93-71 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
He scored 17 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and made 3 blocks in 26 minutes; not bad, considering it's only Hunter's first season in pro basketball. Maitland Mustangs (6-6) are placed seventh in NBL1 East group.
Hunter has very impressive stats this year: 16.1ppg, 8.1rpg and 1.3bpg in 12 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) was not able to secure a victory for
Phoenix (6-4) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Janssen's good performance Phoenix (#5) was defeated
100-85 in Booval by the lower-ranked Ipswich Force (#8) in the NBL1 North group.
He was the second best scorer with 14 points. Janssen also added 8 rebounds.
This season Janssen has very high stats. He averages: 15.7ppg, 9.3rpg, 1.6apg and 1.4bpg.
Janssen used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 21.
#9. Former international guard
Joshua Bloxham (186-1990, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Sioeli Vaiangina. But that was another game of his team in Australian State League which we would like to mention.
Bloxham helped
Wanneroo win their game against the ninth-ranked Redbacks (6-6)
96-91.
He scored 6 points in 22 minutes.
Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (12-0) are placed first in NBL1 West group.
So far his team won all twelve games in the Regular Season.
This year Bloxham's total stats are: 2.0ppg and 2.3rpg in eight games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#10. 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 13th-ranked Slammers (1-11)
99-84.
He scored 6 points in only 10 minutes.
Newton has averaged so far 4.8ppg and 1.8rpg in 12 games.
He is a former international player as years ago he still played for the New Zealand senior national team.
#11. 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 managed to help Sandringham Sabres to win against the 16th-ranked Cavaliers
94-89.
He scored only 3 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
This season Prewster has relatively solid stats: 11.9ppg, 4.3rpg and 2.3apg.
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.
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) led
Townsville Heat to a victory against the 11th-ranked Rockets (4-6)
81-76 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
He scored 15 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 30 minutes.
Townsville Heat (3-6) is placed 13th in NBL1 North group.
It was his team's first victory after six consecutive loses.
Wattie has relatively good stats this year: 14.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.4apg and 1.5spg in eight games he played so far.
#2. Javaan Mumtaz (193-G, college:
ENMU, currently plays in Australia) contributed to a
Northside Wizards' victory against the eighth-ranked Ipswich Force (5-6)
87-79 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
Mumtaz scored 15 points; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Northside Wizards (12-2) are placed first in NBL1 North group.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
Mumtaz's total stats this season are: 8.5ppg, 3.0rpg and 2.4apg.
#3. Mason Bragg (182-G-1993, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Phoenix (6-4) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Bragg's good performance Phoenix (#5) was defeated
100-85 on the road by the lower-ranked Ipswich Force (#8) in the NBL1 North group.
He scored 11 points and added 6 assists.
Bragg has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 17.4ppg, 4.5rpg, 5.7apg and 2.1spg.
#4. Experienced
Tiri Masunda (185-PG-1989, currently plays in Australia) helped
NW Tasmania Thunder win their game against the 17th-ranked Tigers (2-8)
76-69 in the Australian State League (second division) last Sunday.
Masunda scored 7 points, had 5 rebounds and dished 4 assists.
NW Tasmania Thunder (5-5) is placed 11th in NBL1 South group.
It was his team's first victory after three consecutive loses.
Masunda has averaged so far 4.5ppg, 3.0rpg and 2.5apg.
#5. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-1992, college:
MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Suns in their game against Flames (9-3) in the Australian State League (second division).
He scored 7 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in only 14 minutes.
Suns (#12) were crushed
108-75 in Rockingham by the much higher-ranked (#3) Flames in the NBL1 West group.
It was Suns' ninth consecutive loss in a row.
Shaw has averaged so far 8.3ppg and 7.3rpg in 12 games.
#6. Dylan Ryburn (185-G, college:
Southeast CC, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Blackburn Vikings in a victory against the seventh-ranked Steelers
103-97 in the Australian State League (second division) last Sunday.
Ryburn scored only 3 points in 4 minutes on the court.
This year Ryburn averages just 2.9ppg in 10 games.
