Pepper's 45-point game gives him Hoops Agents Player of the Week award

- June 8, 2026

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Elijah Pepper

Elijah Pepper

24-year old American guard Elijah Pepper (193-G-2001) had an amazing evening in the last round for Wellington Saints and receives a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for round 11.
He had the game-high 45 points adding two rebounds and three assists for Saints in his team's victory, helping them to crush Jets (#8, 4-8) with 21-point margin 105-84. Saints maintains the 4th position in New Zealand league. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier this season. Saints will need more victories to improve their 8-3 record. In the team's last game Pepper had a remarkable 66.7% from 2-point range and got seven three-pointers out of 11 attempts. He just recently signed at Saints, being already a very valuable addition to the team. University of California - Davis graduate has very impressive stats this year. Pepper is league's best scorer averaging so far 30.5ppg. Pepper is in league's top in and averages solid 2.9spg and 66.9% FGP.

Second best performed player last round was Tamenang Choh (196-F-1998) of Canterbury Rams. He is American-Cameroonian forward in his first season at Rams. In the last game Choh recorded an impressive 25 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Bad luck as Rams was edged by slightly higher-ranked Tuatara (#1, 10-2) 100-97. It was definitely game of the week between two contenders to the title. Rams still maintains its place in the top 3 of the standings, even despite this loss. His team's 8-3 record is not bad at all. Choh is one of the most experienced players at Rams and has a reputation of one of team's most reliable players. He belongs to the best scorers in the league with 21.4ppg (#6). His other stats are also decent: 8.0rpg and 4.7apg.

Third place about best performers goes to guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt (191-G-2000) of Nelson Giants (#9). Perrott-Hunt showcased his all-around game by recording 27 points, 15 rebounds (!!!) and 5 assists in the last round. He was a key player of Giants, leading his team to a 94-85 win against slightly lower-ranked Hawks (#11, 2-9). Giants can only dream about fighting for top spots in the league. They have rather bad season and 3-8 record places them close to the bottom of the standings. Perrott-Hunt has individually a great season in New Zealand. After 11 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in points with 20.8ppg (9th best).

Other top performing players last week:
4. Reuben Te Rangi (198-F/G-1994) of Whai - 23 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists
5. Taylor Britt (188-G-1996) of Rams - 33 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists
6. Keanu Rasmussen (188-G-2003) of Hawks - 28 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists
7. Carter Whitt (190-G-2002) of Bulls - 28 points and 3 assists
8. Josh Dilling (193-G-2001) of Tuatara - 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists
9. Jordan Hunt (206-F/C-1997) of Saints - 16 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists
10. Akech Aliir (204-F-2000) of Saints - 20 points and 9 rebounds

The Player of the week is selected based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.
The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.
The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3*(REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4*(2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3*(2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3*(3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

The Player of the Week awards are presented by Hoops Agents. Hoops Agents is the most complete website about the agencies and players they represent. With more than twenty years of experience, Hoops Agents is already recognized as the most reliable destination for the players who wish to continue their career in professional basketball and are searching for a reputable and connected representation. Hoops Agents is also most complete source of transactions news.

Tags : ELIJAH PEPPER, WELLINGTON SAINTS, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL,