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 center
Yannick Wetzell (206-1996, college:
SDSU, currently plays in Euroleague). He led his German team
ALBA Berlin to an easy victory against the 14th-ranked Panathinaikos (1-3) crushing them
94-65 in the Euroleague in Wednesday night's game.
Wetzell scored 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in a mere 16 minutes on the court.
ALBA Berlin (3-1) is placed fourth in the Euroleague.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
This year Wetzell averages: 7.7ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 44.4% and FT: 77.8% in three games he played so far.
He 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). Fotu was the major contributor in a 1-point
Tochigi Brex's victory against the eighth-ranked Sendai 89ers (2-4)
71-70 in the Japanese B1 League last Friday.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 10 rebounds. Fotu also added 4 assists.
Link Tochigi Brex Utsunomiya (3-3) is placed fifth in East group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
Fotu has relatively good stats this year: 12.3ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 55.1%(27-49), 3FGP: 42.9% and FT: 68.8%.
He has a dual citizenship: Tongan and New Zealand.
Fotu played for the New Zealand national team in 22.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was former international guard
Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa (188-1996, agency:
BIG, college:
Sacramento St., currently plays in Australia). He led
New Zealand Breakers to a victory against the eighth-ranked Melbourne Phoenix (2-3)
85-77 in the Australian NBL on Saturday night.
Mauriohooho-Le'afa had a double-double by scoring 14 points and making 10 passes. He also added 6 rebounds in 35 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Mauriohooho-Le'afa's first season in pro basketball. New Zealand Breakers (3-2) are placed fourth in the NBL.
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 year Mauriohooho-Le'afa has relatively solid stats: 12.0ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.2apg, 2FGP: 31.0%, 3FGP: 26.5% and FT: 83.3% in five games.
He played for the New Zealand national team year ago.
#4. Forward
Robert Loe (211-1991, college:
St.Louis, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa and both played together in the last Australian NBL game.
Loe led
New Zealand Breakers to a victory over the eighth-ranked Melbourne Phoenix (2-3)
85-77.
He was MVP of the game. Loe scored 18 points and grabbed 6 rebounds; not bad, considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Loe has reliable stats this year: 10.2ppg and 6.6rpg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 22.
#5. Former international power forward
Steven Adams (213-1993, college:
Pittsburgh, currently plays in NBA) contributed to a
Memphis Grizzlies' victory against the Houston Rockets (0-2)
129-122 in the NBA last Friday.
Adams recorded 6 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in 34 minutes. It was his first game for Memphis Grizzlies this season.
His team have 2-0 record this season.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Adams used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#6. Forward
Samuel Waardenburg (208-1999, college:
Miami, FL, currently plays in Australia) helped
Cairns Taipans win their game against the closely-ranked Kings (4-2)
83-78 in the Australian NBL in Friday night's game.
Waardenburg scored 13 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 22 minutes.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Cairns Taipans (4-1) are placed first in the NBL.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Waardenburg's overall stats are: 9.4ppg and 3.0rpg in five games.
He is a former U19 international player as he played for the New Zealand team year ago.
#7. An experienced former international guard
Corey Webster (188-1988, college:
Lambuth, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Perth Wildcats in their last game on Friday. Despite Webster's good performance his team were edged
84-81 on the road by the much lower-ranked United (#7).
He was the second best scorer with 12 points.
Webster's stats this season are: 10.3ppg and 2.0rpg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#8. Forward
Matt Freeman (207-1997, college:
UCSB, currently plays in Germany) was not able to help
Eisbaeren Bremerhaven in their last game. Despite Freeman's good performance his team was crushed
112-78 on the opponent's court by the much lower-ranked (#7) Duesseldorf.
He was the top scorer with 14 points. Freeman also added 5 rebounds in 25 minutes.
This year Freeman's total stats are: 8.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.0apg and 1.5bpg in two games.
He used to play for the New Zealand U19 national team
back in 15.
#9. Former international forward
Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college:
JMU, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa. But that was another game of his team in Australian NBL which we would like to mention.
Vodanovich helped
New Zealand Breakers win their game against one of league's weakest teams Illawarra Hawks (1-4) crushing them
88-62.
He scored 10 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists.
New Zealand Breakers (3-2) are placed fourth in the NBL.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
Vodanovich has averaged so far 7.0ppg, 3.6rpg and 1.2apg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#10. Center
Yuat Alok (211-1997, college:
NM State, currently plays in Cyprus) helped
E.N. Paralimni win their game against the league outsider Omonia (0-2)
58-46 in the Cypriot OPAP Basket League last Friday.
Alok scored 10 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 30 minutes.
Enosis Neon Paralimniis placed fifth in the OPAP Basket League.
Alok's stats this year are: 10.5ppg, 6.5rpg and 2.0apg in two games.
He is a former international player as years ago he still played for the New Zealand senior national team.
#11. Former international forward
Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college:
Umpqua CC, currently plays in Australia) managed to help Adelaide 36ers to win against one of league's weakest teams Illawarra Hawks
90-80 in the Australian NBL on Saturday night.
Harris scored only 3 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Harris has averaged so far 2.3ppg and 4.7rpg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#12. Former international guard
Tai Webster (193-1995, college:
Nebraska, currently plays in Turkey) was not able to secure a victory for
Socar Petkim in their game against Galatasaray in the Turkish BSL.
Webster scored 5 points in 25 minutes.
His team was badly defeated by 18 points
84-66.
Webster has averaged so far 8.7ppg, 1.3rpg and 2.0apg in three games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 19.
#13. Former U19 international guard
Alexander McNaught (185-2002, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa. However that was another game of his team in Australian NBL which brought him to that list.
McNaught couldn't help
New Zealand Breakers in their game against Melbourne Phoenix.
He recorded 7 points.
His team were crushed by 22 points
99-77.
This season McNaught averages only 3.0ppg.
He used to play for the New Zealand U19 national team
years ago.
#14. Former international center
Tyrell Harrison (213-1999, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help
Bullets in their game against Kings in the Australian NBL. Harrison cannot count Sunday's game as one of the best ones.
He scored only 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 7 minutes on the court. It was his first game for Bullets this season.
His team were badly defeated by 17 points
102-85.
Harrison used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 20.
#15. Former international small forward
Takiula Fahrensohn (201-1999, agency:
Haylett Sports, college:
Portland, currently plays in Germany) helped
Science City Jena win their game against the 16th-ranked Kirchheim Knights
87-69 in the German ProA (second division) in Saturday night's game.
He scored only 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
Fahrensohn has averaged so far 8.3ppg and 5.0rpg.
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. Experienced
Aron Baynes (208-C-1986, college:
WSU, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Bullets (0-4) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his very good performance the bottom-ranked Bullets were badly defeated
102-85 on the road by the second-ranked Kings.
Baynes was the second best scorer with 15 points. He also added 5 rebounds.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Baynes' stats this season are: 11.5ppg and 6.8rpg.
He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.
#2. Shane Temara (205-F/C-1995, college:
N.Texas, currently plays in Luxembourg) was not able to help the league outsider
Soleuvre (0-5) in their last game. Despite Temara's very good performance Soleuvre lost
76-89 at home to the one of league's weakest teams (#11) Musel Pikes.
He recorded 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 40 minutes.
So far Soleuvre lost all five games in the Regular Season.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Temara has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 20.3ppg and 8.0rpg in three games he played so far.
Temara is a naturalized American.
He used to play for Wellington Saints in New Zealand league.
#3. Dion Collins (203-F, college:
CSC, currently plays in United Kingdom) was not able to secure a victory for
Riders (3-0) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Collins' good performance the league leader Riders was crushed
116-69 in Worthing by the lower-ranked Thunder (#4).
He recorded a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting 10 rebounds. Collins also added 3 assists.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Collins averaged so far 13.0ppg, 7.5rpg and 1.5apg.
