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
Shea Ili (184-1992, currently plays in Australia). He led
Sabres to a victory over the 15th-ranked Cavaliers (6-12)
93-85 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Ili was MVP of the game. He scored 33 points (!!!), had 8 boards, passed 4 assists and added 4 steals in 39 minutes on the court.
Sandringham Sabres (12-6) are placed fifth in NBL1 South group.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
Ili has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 24.0ppg, 6.2rpg, 5.4apg, 2.1spg, 2FGP: 53.9%, 3FGP: 32.3% and FT: 82.2% in 12 games he played so far.
Ili played for the New Zealand senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former U18 international forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-1998, college:
Panola JC, currently plays in Australia). He contributed to
Wanneroo's victory against the sixth-ranked Senators (12-7)
89-78 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
Vaiangina scored 13 points, had 9 rebounds and made 2 blocks.
Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (16-1) are placed first in NBL1 West group.
It was his team's 16th consecutive victory in a row.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial.
Vaiangina's overall stats this season are: 8.9ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3bpg, 2FGP: 61.0%(61-100), 3FGP: 30.4% and FT: 57.5%.
He played for the New Zealand U18 national team in 14.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former international center
James Hunter (208-1991, college:
S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia). Hunter was the main contributor in
Mustangs' victory against the eighth-ranked Bandits (8-10)
94-87 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
He was the best player in that game. Hunter had a double-double by scoring 27 points and getting 10 rebounds in 28 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Maitland Mustangs (11-6) are placed third in NBL1 East group.
It was his team's sixth consecutive victory in a row.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important.
Hunter has very impressive stats this year: 17.4ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.3bpg, 2FGP: 54.8%, 3FGP: 21.2% and FT: 60.5% in 17 games.
Former Manawatu Jets starter played for the New Zealand national team year ago.
#4. Forward
Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college:
HPU, currently plays in Australia) was the major contributor in
Phoenix's surprising victory against the fifth-ranked Salties (10-6)
103-96 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 10 rebounds. Janssen also added 4 assists and 3 blocks; not bad, considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Sunshine Coast Phoenix (8-8) is placed 11th in NBL1 North group.
They ended the series of four consecutive loses.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be extremely important.
This season Janssen has very high stats. He averages: 15.7ppg, 9.4rpg, 2.1apg and 1.3bpg.
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
Reuben Te Rangi (198-1994, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Knox Raiders (11-7) in their last game. Despite Te Rangi's good performance the eighth-placed Knox Raiders (11-7) lost
82-86 on the road to the higher-ranked (#7) Frankston Blues in the NBL1 South group.
He scored 13 points, had 5 rebounds and dished 4 assists in 35 minutes.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Te Rangi has relatively good stats this year: 11.4ppg, 3.5rpg and 2.0apg in 14 games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#6. Swingman
Mitchell Dance (192-2001, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Eltham Wildcats (7-10) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Dance's very good performance Eltham Wildcats (#13) were crushed
88-62 in Kilsyth by the much higher-ranked Cobras (#4) in the NBL1 South group.
He was the second best scorer with 15 points. Dance also added 5 rebounds.
This season Dance has very high stats. He averages: 18.4ppg, 6.4rpg and 1.2apg.
Dance is a former international player as he played for the New Zealand senior team year ago.
#7. 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 (4-11) in their game against Rip City (11-4) in the Australian State League (second division).
Carter scored 7 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
South West Metro Pirates (#13) were edged
91-89 in Sippy Downs by the much higher-ranked Rip City (#3) in the NBL1 North group.
It was South West Metro Pirates' sixth consecutive loss in a row.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season.
This season Carter has relatively solid stats: 10.2ppg, 8.1rpg and 1.3apg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#8. Guard
Ezra Nikora (183-1991, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Perth Redbacks in a 3-point victory against the 13th-ranked Suns (3-16)
85-82 in the Australian State League (second division) in Friday night's game.
Nikora scored only 3 points in 20 minutes.
Perth Redbacks (12-6) are placed in NBL1 West group.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season.
This year Nikora averages just 0.7ppg in six games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 13.
#9. 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 contributed to
Sabres' victory against the 15th-ranked Cavaliers (6-12)
93-85.
He scored only 4 points in 13 minutes.
Prewster has reliable stats this year: 14.4ppg, 5.5rpg and 1.9apg in 12 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.
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 against the fifth-ranked Salties (10-6)
103-96 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
He scored 16 points and added 7 assists in 36 minutes.
Sunshine Coast Phoenix (8-8) is placed 11th in NBL1 North group.
It was his team's first victory after four consecutive loses.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Bragg has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 16.7ppg, 4.4rpg, 5.9apg and 2.0spg in 16 games he played so far.
#2. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-1992, college:
MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Suns (2-15) in their last game. Despite Shaw's good performance Suns (#12) lost
88-94 on the road to the much higher-ranked (#5) Cougars in the NBL1 West group.
He had a double-double by scoring 10 points and getting the same number of rebounds. Shaw also added 3 assists in 16 minutes.
It was Suns' sixth consecutive loss in a row.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season.
This year Shaw's overall stats are: 7.7ppg and 6.6rpg in 19 games.
#3. Javaan Mumtaz (193-G, college:
ENMU, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Northside Wizards in their game against Cairns Marlins (11-7) in the Australian State League (second division).
He scored 9 points.
But Northside Wizards were edged
92-90 in Cairns by the lower-ranked Marlins (#4) in the NBL1 North group.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Mumtaz's overall stats this season are: 7.6ppg, 3.1rpg and 2.5apg.
#4. Taine Wattie (190-G-1998, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for
Townsville Heat (6-10) in their game against Mackay Meteors (13-4) in the Australian State League (second division). He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
Wattie scored only 3 points in 28 minutes.
Townsville Heat (#12) was crushed
99-74 in Mackay by the leading Meteors in the NBL1 North group.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Wattie has reliable stats this year: 13.6ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.5apg and 1.7spg in 15 games.
#5. Elijah Puna (201-F-2000, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help
Thunder (16-0) in their game against Rockets (9-9) in the Australian State League (second division). He cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones.
Puna scored only 2 points.
Thunder was defeated
106-94 in Rockhampton by the much lower-ranked Rockets (#8) in the NBL1 North group.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season.
This season Puna averages just 2.3ppg.
He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.
#6. Experienced
Kazlo Evans (187-G-1980, currently plays in Australia) contributed to a
South Adelaide Panthers' victory against the eighth-ranked Noarlunga City Southern Tigers
83-71 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
Evans scored 6 points.
Evans' overall stats this season are: 3.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.6apg and 1.1spg.
