Here is the weekly review of the top performing New Zealand players, who play currently abroad.
#1. This week's number one is former international swingman
Mitchell Dance (192-2001, currently plays in Australia). He was the major contributor in a
Eltham Wildcats' victory against the 14th-ranked Spectres (7-13)
85-78 in the Australian State League (second division) in Sunday night's game.
Dance scored 27 points (!!!), had 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 37 minutes on the court.
Eltham Wildcats (7-12) are placed 14th in NBL1 South group.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
Dance has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 18.7ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 48.5%, 3FGP: 26.3% and FT: 59.3% in 18 games he played so far.
Dance played for the New Zealand senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international guard
Shea Ili (184-1992, currently plays in Australia). He led
Sabres to a victory against the leader Huskies (16-6)
85-77 in the Australian State League (second division) last Friday.
Ili recorded 28 points (!!!), 4 rebounds and 9 assists.
It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams. Sandringham Sabres (14-6) are placed third in NBL1 South group.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial.
This season Ili has very high stats. He averages: 24.2ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.4apg, 2.1spg, 2FGP: 54.8%, 3FGP: 32.4% and FT: 83.1%.
Ili played for the New Zealand national team in 22.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former international forward
Tohi Smith-Milner (206-1995, agency:
BIG, college:
Polk State CC, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Shea Ili and both played together in the last Australian State League game.
Smith-Milner led
Sabres to a victory over the leader Huskies (16-6)
85-77.
He was MVP of the game. Smith-Milner had a double-double by scoring 29 points and getting 10 rebounds in 35 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Smith-Milner has very impressive stats this year: 19.4ppg, 9.3rpg, 2FGP: 64.5%(80-124), 3FGP: 33.3% and FT: 81.6% in 15 games.
Former Canterbury Rams starter played for the New Zealand national team year ago.
#4. Forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-1998, college:
Panola JC, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Wanneroo (16-2) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his very good performance the second-placed Wanneroo (16-2) were crushed
83-59 on the road by the leading Buccaneers in the NBL1 West group.
Vaiangina was the top scorer with 16 points. He also added 4 rebounds.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important.
Vaiangina's overall stats this season are: 9.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.3apg and 1.3bpg.
He used to play for the New Zealand U18 national team
back in 14.
#5. Former international forward
Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college:
HPU, currently plays in Australia) contributed to
Phoenix's victory against the 12th-ranked Townsville Heat (6-12)
88-83 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
Janssen scored 22 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 36 minutes; not bad, considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Sunshine Coast Phoenix (9-8) is placed tenth in NBL1 North group.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be extremely important.
Janssen has very impressive stats this year: 16.1ppg, 9.3rpg, 2.1apg and 1.3bpg in 17 games.
He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.
Janssen used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#6. An experienced swingman
Zac Carter (203-1989, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
South West Metro Pirates in their game against Roar (5-13) in the Australian State League (second division).
He scored 5 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 23 minutes.
South West Metro Pirates (#14) were crushed
86-63 in Brisbane by the higher-ranked (#13) Roar in the NBL1 North group.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season.
This year Carter's overall stats are: 9.4ppg, 7.8rpg and 1.3apg in 16 games.
He is a former international player as he played for the New Zealand senior team year ago.
#7. Former international center
James Hunter (208-1991, college:
S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for
Mustangs (11-7) in their last game. Despite his good performance Mustangs (#3) lost
77-91 in Sutherland to the lower-ranked (#6) Sharks in the NBL1 East group.
Hunter scored 13 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 29 minutes.
They ended the series of six consecutive victories.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Hunter has very impressive stats this year: 17.1ppg, 7.9rpg and 1.3bpg in 18 games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#8. 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 managed to help Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves to win against the 12th-ranked Suns (4-17) crushing them
88-63.
He recorded only 3 points and added 5 assists.
Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (16-2) are placed second in NBL1 West group.
Bloxham's total stats this season are: 2.3ppg, 2.2rpg and 1.5apg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 15.
#9. Former international swingman
Reuben Te Rangi (198-1994, currently plays in Australia) contributed to a 2-point
Knox Raiders' victory against the 17th-ranked Tigers (5-14)
77-75 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
Te Rangi scored only 2 points and added 3 assists.
Knox Raiders (10-9) are placed eighth in NBL1 South group.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Te Rangi has relatively good stats this season: 10.8ppg, 3.5rpg and 2.1apg.
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. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-1992, college:
MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) was the major contributor in
Suns' surprising victory against the fourth-ranked Giants (14-6) crushing them
99-72 in the Australian State League (second division) on Sunday night.
He scored 21 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
Kalamunda Eastern Suns (2-16) are placed 12th in NBL1 West group.
Shaw's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season.
Shaw's overall stats this season are: 8.2ppg and 6.7rpg.
#2. Taine Wattie (190-G-1998, currently plays in Australia). Wattie could not help
Townsville Heat (6-12) to beat Phoenix (9-8).
He scored 8 points.
Townsville Heat (#12) was defeated
88-83 on the road by the higher-ranked Phoenix (#10) in the NBL1 North group.
It was Townsville Heat's third consecutive loss in a row.
Wattie's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season.
Wattie has relatively good stats this season: 13.3ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.3apg and 1.6spg.
#3. Mason Bragg (182-G-1993, currently plays in Australia) faced previously mentioned Taine Wattie in the Australian State League last game.
Bragg managed to help Sunshine Coast Phoenix in a victory against the 12th-ranked Townsville Heat (6-12)
88-83.
He scored only 4 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 11 assists in 40 minutes.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Bragg has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 6.2apg and 1.9spg in 17 games he played so far.
#4. Experienced
Kazlo Evans (187-G-1980, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the sixth-ranked Sturt Sabres (8-10) crushing them
92-72 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Evans scored only 4 points, made 6 passes and 3 steals in 18 minutes.
South Adelaide Panthers (12-5) are placed third in NBL1 Central group.
His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season.
This year Evans' total stats are: 3.5ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.8apg and 1.2spg in 17 games.
#5. Javaan Mumtaz (193-G, college:
ENMU, currently plays in Australia) contributed to an easy victory against the 15th-ranked Brisbane Spartans (4-13)
99-82 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
He scored only 2 points.
Northside Wizards (12-2) are placed first in NBL1 North group.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Mumtaz's total stats this season are: 7.3ppg, 2.9rpg and 2.3apg.
#6. Dylan Ryburn (185-G, college:
Southeast CC, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Vikings in their game against Cougars in the Australian State League (second division). He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
Ryburn scored only 3 points in 15 minutes.
His team were crushed by 35 points
108-73.
This year Ryburn averages just 3.0ppg in 16 games.
