POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
We bring you last week's top performances from Bahamians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.
#1. This week's number one is former international center
Zane Knowles (208-1992, agency:
BIG, college:
TAMUCC, currently plays in Bulgaria). He led
Levski to a victory over the sixth-ranked Beroe (13-14) crushing them
116-74 in the Bulgarian NBL in Monday night's game.
Knowles was MVP of the game. He recorded 28 points (!!!) and grabbed 8 rebounds in a mere 19 minutes on the court; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Knowles' first season in pro basketball. Levski Sofia (9-5) is placed second in the NBL.
Knowles has relatively good stats this year: 15.0ppg, 6.6rpg, 2FGP: 71.4%(50-70) and FT: 73.9% in eight games he played so far.
He played for the Bahamas senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international center
DeAndre Ayton (216-1998, college:
Arizona, currently plays in NBA). Ayton was the main contributor in a
Phoenix Suns' victory against the Dallas Mavericks (52-30)
121-114 in the NBA last Monday.
He was the best player in that game. Ayton recorded 25 points and grabbed 8 rebounds; not bad, considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. The Phoenix Suns have a very solid 64-18 record this season.
Ayton has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 17.4ppg, 10.1rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 64.3%(517-804), 3FGP: 39.1% and FT: 74.5%.
Ayton played for the Bahamas national team in 20.
#3. The Bahamas player who performed third best last week abroad was former international power forward
Aaron Levarity (203-1997, college:
Milligan, currently plays in Denmark). He could not help
Svendborg (19-9) in their last game on Monday. Despite Levarity's very good performance the second-placed Svendborg (19-9) was edged
90-87 on the road by the lower-ranked Horsens IC (#3) in the Winner Stage group.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and getting 14 rebounds. Levarity also added 3 assists.
This season Levarity has relatively solid stats: 14.5ppg, 11.0rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 60.3%(176-292), 3FGP: 28.3% and FT: 79.0%.
He played for the Bahamas national team year ago.
#4. Forward
Jonathan Augustin-Fairell (201-1993, college:
Murray St., currently plays in France) was not able to help
Chalon/Saor (14-7) in their last game. Despite Augustin-Fairell's good performance the league leader Chalon/Saor lost
88-92 in Gries to the much lower-ranked (#9) ASA.
He scored 14 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 27 minutes.
Augustin-Fairell's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical.
This year Augustin-Fairell's overall stats are: 9.4ppg and 4.4rpg in 27 games.
He has a dual citizenship: Bahamas and American.
Augustin-Fairell used to play for the Bahamas national team
back in 18.
#5. Former international forward
Tavario Miller (203-1994, college:
Texas A&M, currently plays in Brazil) was the major contributor in
Minas' victory against the sixth-ranked UNIFACISA (20-12)
75-63 in the Brazilian NBB on Saturday night.
Miller recorded 12 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
Minas Belo Horizonte (2-1) is placed second in the NBB.
Miller has reliable stats this season: 11.3ppg and 7.0rpg.
Worth to mention he played also at
Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball. He used to play for the Bahamas national team
years ago.
#6. Center
Shaquille Cleare (203-1993, college:
Texas, currently plays in Spain) was not able to secure a victory for
Lleida (20-11) in their last game. Despite Cleare's good performance Lleida was badly defeated
97-80 on the opponent's court by the lower-ranked (#4) Girona.
He recorded 12 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 33 minutes.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial.
This year Cleare's total stats are: 8.0ppg and 3.4rpg in 19 games.
He is a former international player as he played for the Bahamas senior team year ago.
One more player who has never been selected to any of national teams, but has Bahamas passport: #1. Klay Thompson (198-G-1990, college:
WSU, currently plays in NBA) led
Golden State Warriors to an easy victory against the Memphis Grizzlies (56-26) crushing them
142-112 in the NBA on Saturday night.
He scored 21 points, had 9 rebounds and dished 4 assists in 35 minutes.
The Golden State Warriors have a solid 54-29 record this season.
It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row.
Thompson has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 20.3ppg, 3.9rpg and 2.6apg in 41 games he played so far.
Thompson has a dual citizenship: Bahamas and American.
Other top Bahamas players, who play abroad:Kai Jones (211-F-2001) plays for
Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Buddy Hield (193-G-1993) plays for
Indiana Pacers in the NBA
David Nesbitt (203-PF-1991) plays for
Boca in Argentinian La Liga
Mark St.Fort (200-SF-1988) plays for
Alaska Aces in Filipino PBA
Travis Munnings (198-F-1994) plays for
Benfica in Portuguese LPB
Jaraun Burrows (203-F-1985) plays for
STB Le Havre in French NM1
Dwight Coleby (206-C-1994) plays for
Al Sharjah in UAE ULB
Kadeem Coleby (206-C/F-1989) plays for
Akita NH in Japanese B1 League
Notice:
The list above includes only some of the Bahamas playing currently abroad. Go to Bahamas Abroad Page to see completed list.
