Franco Balbi selected the top Argentinian playing abroad in last week's games

We bring you last week's top performances from Argentinians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.

Franco Balbi

   #1. This week's number one is an experienced former international point guard Franco Balbi (188-1989, currently plays in Brazil). He could not help Flamengo in their last game. Despite Balbi's very good performance his team lost 79-88 on the road to the second-ranked Minas. He was the top scorer with 17 points in 26 minutes on the court. This year Balbi averages: 5.5ppg, 2.6rpg, 5.3apg, 3FGP: 31.0% and FT: 83.3% in 11 games he played so far. He played for the Argentinian senior national team year ago.

Gabriel Deck

   #2. Second place goes to former international forward Gabriel Deck (198-1995, currently plays in Euroleague). Deck was not able to help Real Madrid in their game against Zalgiris (5-19) in the Euroleague. He scored only 4 points. Real Madrid was crushed 68-47 in Kaunas by the league outsider Zalgiris (#18). It was Real Madrid's third consecutive loss in a row. Deck's overall stats this season are: 4.3ppg, 3.0rpg. He played for the Argentinian national team in 21.

Facundo Campazzo

   #3. The Argentinian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international point guard Facundo Campazzo (180-1991, currently plays in NBA). He managed to help Denver Nuggets to win against the Portland Trail Blazers (25-36) crushing them 124-92 in the NBA in Sunday night's game. Campazzo recorded only 4 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and made 2 blocks. The Denver Nuggets have 36-25 record this season. It was his team's sixth consecutive victory in a row. Campazzo's overall stats this season are: 5.8ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.6apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 48.5%, 3FGP: 31.3% and FT: 81.1%. He played for the Argentinian national team year ago.

Federico Copes

   #4. Swingman Federico Copes (199-2002, currently plays in Spain) was the major contributor in Leon's victory against the ninth-ranked Avila (10-12) 90-76 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) on Sunday night. Copes recorded a double-double by scoring 19 points and getting 11 rebounds. He also added 3 assists and 2 blocks. ULE RBH Global - Basket Leon (15-7) is placed fourth in Group A-B. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. Copes has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 17.3ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.8apg and 1.6spg. Copes used to play for the Argentinian U19 national team back in 21.

Francisco Caffaro

   #5. Former international center Francisco Caffaro (213-2000, currently plays college basketball in the States) was not able to secure a victory for the Virginia (11-8) in their game against the Florida State University (8-10) in the NCAA. Caffaro recorded 7 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. The Virginia was edged 64-63 in Tallahassee by the Florida State University. His team will play only one more game in the NCAA Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Caffaro's overall stats this season are: 4.5ppg and 4.5rpg. He used to play for the Argentinian national team years ago.

Jonathan Sacco

   #6. Forward Jonathan Sacco (196-1995, agency: BIG, currently plays in Uruguay) contributed to an easy victory against one of league's weakest teams Urunday (5-15) crushing them 92-68 in a derby game in the Uruguayan LUB in Friday night's game. Sacco recorded only 2 points. Nacional De Futbol Montevideo (8-12) is placed ninth in the LUB. They ended the series of three consecutive loses. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. Sacco's overall stats this season are: 4.3ppg and 4.1rpg. He is a former U16 international player as he played for the Argentinian team year ago.

Francisco Farabello

   #7. Former international guard Francisco Farabello (190-2000, currently studies in the States) couldn't help the TCU (7-8) in their game against the The University of Texas (10-6) in the NCAA. Farabello recorded 9 points in 24 minutes. But the TCU lost 66-75 at home to the The University of Texas. There are only two games left until the end of the NCAA Regular Season. So now every game will be important. This year Farabello's overall stats are: 5.1ppg, 2.5rpg and 1.3apg in 26 games. He used to play for the Argentinian national team years ago.

Mateo Diaz

   #8. Guard Mateo Diaz (186-2002, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Caceres (1-2) in their game against Palencia (12-8) in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division). Diaz scored 9 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 18 minutes. But Caceres was badly defeated 87-70 on their home court in Caceres by the lower-ranked (#5) Palencia. This year Diaz's total stats are: 6.8ppg, 2.8rpg and 1.3apg in 20 games. He used to play for the Argentinian U19 national team back in 21.

Alejandro Zurbriggen

   #9. Former U19 international small forward Alejandro Zurbriggen (194-1995, currently plays in Spain) led Alginet to a victory against the second-ranked Albacete (14-5) 77-65 in the Spanish LEB Silver (third division) on Sunday night. Zurbriggen recorded 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 30 minutes. Safir Fruits Alginet (5-11) is placed 12th in East group. Zurbriggen has very impressive stats this year: 17.0ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.5apg and 1.5spg in four games. He used to play for the Argentinian U19 national team years ago.

   #10. Forward Lucas Giovannetti (201-2005, currently plays in Spain) contributed to an easy victory against the 15th-ranked Estudio (6-11) crushing them 112-82 in a derby game in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Thursday night's game. Giovannetti scored only 2 points in 5 minutes on the court. Movistar Estudiantes Madrid B team (6-13) is placed 16th in Group B. This year Giovannetti averages just 2.2ppg in 13 games. He is a former U16 international player as years ago he still played for the Argentinian national team.

   #11. Former international point guard Juan Pablo Figueroa (185-1986, agency: Interperformances, currently plays in Brazil) couldn't help Rio Claro in their game against Paulistano in the Brazilian NBB. Figueroa recorded 5 points and added 5 passes. His team was defeated 86-78. Figueroa has averaged so far 3.0ppg, 1.1rpg, 2.6apg and 1.2spg. He used to play for the Argentinian national team years ago.

   #12. Former U17 international center Maximo Milovich (203-2001, currently plays in NCAA2) contributed to an easy victory against the Dominican University of California crushing them 100-75 in the NCAA2 on Saturday night. Milovich scored 16 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 25 minutes. Milovich has averaged so far 7.1ppg, 6.1rpg and 1.3apg in 23 games. He used to play for the Argentinian U17 national team back in 18.

   #13. Former international center Matias Bortolin (208-1993, also represented by Interperformances, currently plays in Italy) contributed to an easy victory against the tenth-ranked Monfalcone crushing them 92-71 in the Italian Serie B (third division) on Sunday night. Bortolin recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 11 rebounds. He also added 7 assists and 4 blocks. This season Bortolin has very high stats. He averages: 17.9ppg, 12.3rpg, 2.9apg, 1.9bpg and 1.4spg. Bortolin used to play for the Argentinian national team years ago.

   #14. Former U17 international small forward Lucas Sigismonti (201-2003, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Baskonia B in their game against Zarautz in the Spanish EBA (fourth division). He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones. Sigismonti recorded only 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 32 minutes. His team lost 60-69. Sigismonti has averaged so far 6.7ppg and 3.0rpg in 23 games. He used to play for the Argentinian U17 national team back in 19.


The list of other players, who all have Argentinian passport but never been selected to any of Argentinian national teams:

   #1. Juan Davini (185-G-1998, currently plays in Spain) led Calpe to a victory over the third-ranked Tau Castello 2nd team (3-2) 91-82 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) on Sunday night. Davini was MVP of the game. He recorded 34 points (!!!) and grabbed 5 rebounds in 38 minutes. CB Ifach Calpe (1-4) is placed eighth in Group EDesc2. It was his team's first victory after ten consecutive loses. Davini has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.4ppg, 4.6rpg and 1.7spg in 14 games he played so far. Davini has a dual citizenship: Argentinian and Italian.

   #2. Ezequiel Herrera (185-SG-1996, currently plays in Spain) could not help Avila (10-12) in their last game. Despite Herrera's very good performance the ninth-placed Avila (10-12) lost 76-90 on the road to the higher-ranked (#4) Leon in the Group A-B. He was the top scorer with 21 points. Herrera also added 6 rebounds in 32 minutes. Herrera has very impressive stats this year: 18.3ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.2apg and 2.0spg in 22 games. He is another player who holds two passports: Argentinian and Spanish.

   #3. Juan Manuel Barga (189-PG-1994, currently plays in Germany) was not able to help Hertener Loewen (9-6) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Barga's very good performance the second-placed Hertener Loewen (9-6) was edged 98-96 in Hagen by the much lower-ranked Hagen BG (#10) in the West group. He was the second best scorer with 20 points. Barga also added 6 rebounds. Barga's overall stats this season are: 5.8ppg, 5.7rpg and 3.1apg. He has both Italian and Argentinian nationalities.

   #4. Alejo Montes (191-G-1991, currently plays in Brazil) was not able to secure a victory for Caxias do Sul in their last game. Despite Montes' good performance his team was badly defeated 79-60 at home by the lower-ranked (#6) UNIFACISA. He was the second best scorer with 13 points in 28 minutes. This year Montes' overall stats are: 5.5ppg and 1.4rpg in 23 games.

   #5. Joaquin Shuchman (191-SG-1995, currently plays in Israel) couldn't help Hapoel Eilat (7-10) in their game against Maccabi Tel-Aviv (10-6) in the Israeli Winner League. He scored only 4 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists. Hapoel Eilat was defeated 77-66 in Tel-Aviv by the second-ranked Maccabi. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Shuchman's overall stats this season are: 9.9ppg, 5.6rpg, 2.2apg and 1.5spg. He also holds two passports: Argentinian and Israeli.

   #6. Nicolas Morici (191-G-1994, agency: Interperformances, currently plays in Italy) was the main contributor in Agrigento's victory against the 13th-ranked Monopoli AN 68-52 in the Italian Serie B (third division) on Sunday night. Morici was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 10 rebounds. Morici also added 4 assists in 36 minutes. Morici has relatively good stats this year: 10.9ppg, 5.3rpg and 2.5apg in 20 games. He has Argentinian and Italian nationalities.

   #7. Ramiro Santiago (193-G-1999, currently plays in NCAA2) contributed to a Harding University's victory against the University of Arkansas at Monticello 60-49 in the NCAA2 in Thursday night's game. Santiago scored 22 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists. Santiago has relatively good stats this season: 11.6ppg, 3.1rpg and 3.0apg.

   #8. Experienced Juan Jasen (198-SF-1985, currently plays in Spain) was the major contributor in an Murcia 2's victory against the fourth-ranked Jairis 93-81 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) last Saturday. He recorded 22 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals in 27 minutes. Jasen has relatively good stats this year: 12.1ppg, 7.0rpg, 2.5apg and 1.1spg in 17 games. He holds both Argentinian and Spanish passports.

   #9. Agustin Fabi (200-F/G-1991, currently plays in Italy) helped Ferrara win their game against the 12th-ranked Latina 114-108 in the Italian Serie A2 (second division) in Sunday night's game. He scored 15 points in 33 minutes. This year Fabi's overall stats are: 10.0ppg, 1.7rpg and 2.3apg in 12 games. He has dual citizenship: Argentinian and Italian.

   #10. Albano Chiarastella (195-F-1985, agency: BIG, currently plays in Italy) is a teammate of previously mentioned Nicolas Morici. But that was another game of his team in Italian Serie B which we would like to mention. Chiarastella helped Agrigento win their game against the fourth-ranked Salerno 80-74. He scored 7 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished 8 assists in 37 minutes. Chiarastella has relatively good stats this year: 14.1ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.9apg and 1.2spg in 19 games. He has Argentinian and Italian nationalities.