Gabriel Deck selected the top Argentinian playing abroad in last week's games

Here is the weekly review of the top performing Argentinian players, who play currently abroad.

Gabriel Deck

   #1. This week's number one is former international forward Gabriel Deck (198-1995, currently plays in Spain). He led Real Madrid to a victory against the sixth-ranked Baskonia (20-14) 85-77 in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Tuesday night's game. Deck scored 17 points, had 8 rebounds and dished 4 assists in 33 minutes on the court. Real Madrid (3-0) is placed first in the Liga Endesa. So far his team won all three games in the Semi-Finals. This year Deck averages: 9.8ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 60.5%(49-81), 3FGP: 42.1% and FT: 90.9%(40-44) in 19 games he played so far. He played for the Argentinian senior national team year ago.

Nicolas Laprovittola

   #2. Second place goes to former international point guard Nicolas Laprovittola (190-1990, currently plays in Spain). Laprovittola contributed to Barca's victory against the closely-ranked Joventut (22-12) 83-77 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Wednesday. He scored 10 points. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. FC Barcelona Lassa (3-0) is placed first in the Liga Endesa. So far his team won all four games in the Semi-Finals. Laprovittola's overall stats this season are: 9.5ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.7apg, 2FGP: 57.3%(51-89), 3FGP: 37.9% and FT: 89.9%. He played for the Argentinian national team in 21.

Santiago Scala

   #3. The Argentinian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international guard Santiago Scala (187-1991, currently plays in Brazil). Scala was the major contributor in Vivo/Franca's victory against the closely-ranked Flamengo (26-6) 80-65 in the Brazilian NBB on Thursday night. He recorded 14 points and added 3 passes in 24 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Sesi Franca Basquete Sao Paulo (29-3) is placed first in the NBB. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. This year Scala's overall stats are: 7.7ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.6apg, 2FGP: 50.8%, 3FGP: 45.7%(75-164) and FT: 85.7% in 40 games. He played for the Argentinian national team year ago.

Juan Ignacio Marcos

   #4. Guard Juan Ignacio Marcos (188-2000, currently plays in Spain) could not help Lleida (21-12) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Marcos' very good performance Lleida was defeated 79-73 on the road by the lower-ranked Caceres (#8). He was the top scorer with 28 points. Marcos has relatively good stats this season: 11.3ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.2apg and 1.3spg. He used to play for the Argentinian national team back in 22.

Lucas Faggiano

   #5. An experienced former international point guard Lucas Faggiano (188-1989, college: LIU Brooklyn, currently plays in Spain) contributed to an easy victory against the ninth-ranked Valladolid (18-15) crushing them 85-59 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) last Sunday. Faggiano recorded 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 23 minutes. Movistar Estudiantes Madrid (26-9) is placed second in the LEB Gold. This year Faggiano's total stats are: 7.8ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.9apg and 1.3spg in 36 games. He has a dual citizenship: Argentinian and Italian. Faggiano used to play for the Argentinian national team years ago.

Franco Balbi

   #6. Point guard Franco Balbi (188-1989, currently plays in Brazil) faced previously mentioned Santiago Scala in the Brazilian NBB last game. Balbi was not able to help Flamengo (0-0) in their game against Vivo/Franca (29-3). He recorded 5 points. His team was defeated 80-65 in Sao Paulo by the leading Vivo/Franca. Balbi has averaged so far 7.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 4.5apg and 1.1spg. He is a former international player as he played for the Argentinian senior team year ago.

Matias Bernardini

   #7. Former U19 international shooting guard Matias Bernardini (190-1994, currently plays in Bolivia) was not able to secure a victory for one of league's weakest teams one of league's weakest teams La Salle (1-1) in their last game. Despite Bernardini's very good performance La Salle was edged 92-89 by the second-ranked San Simon. He was the second best scorer with 23 points. Bernardini also added 6 assists in 30 minutes. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Bernardini has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 17.5ppg, 3.5rpg and 5.0apg in two games. Bernardini used to play for the Argentinian U19 national team years ago.

Mateo Diaz

   #8. Guard Mateo Diaz (186-2002, currently plays in Spain) faced previously mentioned Juan Ignacio Marcos in the Spanish LEB Gold last game. Diaz managed to help Caceres Patrimonio de la Humanidad to win against the third-ranked Lleida (21-12) 79-73. He recorded 5 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Diaz has averaged so far 6.0ppg, 2.8rpg and 1.5apg. He used to play for the Argentinian U19 national team back in 21.


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

   #1. Ernesto Rodriguez (178-G-1990, currently plays in Puerto Rico). He could not help Gigantes (13-4) to beat Leones (16-9). Rodriguez scored 8 points and added 5 passes. The first-placed Gigantes (13-4) was badly defeated 110-91 on the road by the leading Leones in the Group B. This season Rodriguez averages only 1.7ppg.

   #2. Experienced Albano Chiarastella (195-F-1985, agency: BIG, currently plays in Italy) led Agrigento to a 2-point victory over the fourth-ranked Rieti Kienergia (22-8) 69-67 in the Italian Serie B (third division) in Sunday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Chiarastella had a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 13 rebounds. He also added 3 assists in 35 minutes. Fortitudo Agrigento (27-3) is placed first in Group D. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. This year Chiarastella has relatively solid stats: 12.2ppg, 10.1rpg, 3.1apg and 1.2spg in 37 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Argentinian and Italian.

   #3. Joaquin Gamazo (198-PF-1991, currently plays in Bolivia) was not able to help one of league's weakest teams La Salle (1-1) in their last game. Despite Gamazo's very good performance La Salle was edged 92-89 by the second-ranked San Simon. He had a double-double by scoring 28 points and getting 21 rebounds in 45 minutes. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Gamazo has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 30.5ppg, 15.0rpg and 2.5apg in two games.

   #4. Nicolas Morici (191-G-1994, agency: Interperformances, currently plays in Italy) is a teammate of previously mentioned Albano Chiarastella. But that was another game of his team in Italian Serie B which we would like to mention. Morici led Agrigento to an easy victory against the second-ranked Rieti Real (23-7) crushing them 89-69. He recorded 15 points and had 3 steals. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams. Fortitudo Agrigento (27-3) is placed first in Group D. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. This season Morici has relatively solid stats: 10.9ppg, 5.4rpg and 2.6apg. He is another player who holds two passports: Argentinian and Italian.

   #5. Federico Herrera (200-F/C-1993, currently plays in Chile) was the major contributor in a Sportiva Italiana's victory against the league outsider Stadio Italiano (0-7) 75-63 in the Chilean LNB 2 (second division) on Saturday night. He scored 17 points, had 9 rebounds and made 2 blocks. Sportiva Italiana Valparaisois placed third in the LNB 2. Herrera has averaged so far 9.2ppg, 7.8rpg and 1.4apg.

   #6. Fernando Dose (200-F-1994, currently plays in Paraguay) led San Jose to a victory over the bottom-ranked Mariscal Estigarribia crushing them 98-61 in the Paraguayan LNB in Friday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Dose scored 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 26 minutes. Dose has very impressive stats this year: 15.4ppg, 5.7rpg and 3.4apg in nine games. He has both Argentinian and Paraguayan nationalities.

   #7. Franco Benitez (199-F-1994, currently plays in Paraguay) is a teammate of previously mentioned Fernando Dose and both played together in the last Paraguayan LNB game. Benitez contributed to an easy victory against the bottom-ranked Mariscal Estigarribia crushing them 98-61. He had a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 12 rebounds in 24 minutes. Benitez has very impressive stats this year: 15.1ppg, 8.9rpg and 1.4apg in eight games.

   #8. Santiago Barrales (189-SF-1998, currently plays in Bolivia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Joaquin Gamazo. However that was another game of his team in Bolivian Libobasquet which brought him to that list. Barrales contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked UNITEP 91-75. He scored 9 points. Barrales has averaged so far 7.5ppg, 2.0rpg and 2.0apg.

   #9. Sebastian Picton (197-F-1992, currently plays in Paraguay) is a teammate of previously mentioned Fernando Dose. He played also in the last Paraguayan LNB game facing Franco Benitez (above) in the other team. Picton contributed to an easy victory against the bottom-ranked Mariscal Estigarribia crushing them 98-61. He scored 7 points and had 3 steals in 22 minutes. This year Picton has relatively solid stats: 13.1ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.9apg and 1.4spg in nine games.