Vitor Benite selected the top Brazilian playing abroad in last week's games

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

Vitor Benite

   #1. This week's number one is an international shooting guard Vitor Benite (192-90, currently plays in Basketball Champions League). He led his Spanish team Burgos to a victory over the closely-ranked AEK (7-5) 93-76 in the Basketball Champions League in Wednesday night's game. Benite was MVP of the game. He scored 23 points in 22 minutes on the court. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. San Pablo Inmobiliaria Miraflores Burgos (7-5) is placed second in the Basketball Champions League. There are only two games left until the end of the Basketball Champions League Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Benite has relatively good stats this year: 12.5ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.0apg, 2FGP: 40.8%, 3FGP: 45.2%(33-73) and FT: 88.9% in 13 games he played so far. He is currently a member of the Brazilian senior national team.

Marcelinho Huertas

   #2. Second place goes to an experienced international point guard Marcelinho Huertas (191-83, currently plays in Basketball Champions League). Huertas contributed to an easy victory against the seventh-ranked Gaziantep (3-9) crushing them 88-65 in the Basketball Champions League last Wednesday. He scored 9 points, made 17 passes and 3 steals. Iberostar Tenerife CB Canarias (10-2) is placed first in the Basketball Champions League. There are only two games left until the end of the Basketball Champions League Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. It's Huertas' first season with the team. This year Huertas has relatively solid stats: 11.5ppg, 2.4rpg, 8.9apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 56.2%(41-73), 3FGP: 28.6% and FT: 87.5%. He has a dual citizenship: Brazilian and Italian. Huertas is in the roster of the Brazilian senior national team.

Augusto Lima

   #3. The Brazilian player who performed third best last week abroad was an international center Augusto Lima (206-91, currently plays in Basketball Champions League) is a teammate of previously mentioned Vitor Benite and both played together in the last Basketball Champions League game. Lima contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked AEK (7-5) 93-76. He scored 6 points, had 9 rebounds and made 3 blocks in 24 minutes. This year Lima's overall stats are: 7.4ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.5apg, 1.2bpg, 2FGP: 56.5%(48-85) and FT: 24.2% in 14 games. He is also a member of the Brazilian senior national team.

Scott Machado

   #4. Guard Scott Machado (186-90, college: Iona, currently plays in Australia) was the main contributor in a 1-point Cairns Taipans' victory against one of league's weakest teams Melbourne Phoenix (9-15) 103-102 in the Australian NBL in Sunday night's game. Machado was the best player in that game. He recorded 24 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists. Cairns Taipans (14-10) are placed third in the NBL. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important. Machado has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 17.2ppg, 3.6rpg, 8.1apg and 1.4spg. Machado is a naturalized American. He used to play for the Brazilian national team back in 2018. Strangely Machado has never played in Brazil.

Cristiano Felicio

   #5. International power forward Cristiano Felicio (206-92, college: Oregon, currently plays in NBA) contributed to a Chicago Bulls' surprising victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-32) 117-110 in the NBA last Wednesday. He had a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 10 rebounds in 22 minutes. The Chicago Bulls have 2-3 record this season. This year Felicio's total stats are: 3.0ppg and 3.8rpg in nine games. He plays currently for the Brazilian national team.

Caio Pacheco

   #6. Point guard Caio Pacheco (189-99, currently plays in Argentina) helped Bahia Basket win their game against the 15th-ranked La Union (6-12) 87-82 in the Argentinian La Liga on Friday night. Pacheco was the top player that evening. He scored 22 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 4 assists. Bahia Basket (8-7) is placed ninth in the La Liga. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. This season Pacheco has very high stats. He averages: 17.4ppg, 3.8rpg and 5.9apg. Pacheco is a former U21 international player as he played for the Brazilian team two years ago.

Lucas Siewert

   #7. Former U18 international forward Lucas Siewert (208-97, currently plays college basketball in the States) helped Colorado win their game against the Washington State University (3-4) crushing them 78-56 in the NCAA in Thursday night's game. He had a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 10 rebounds in 29 minutes. The University of Colorado has a solid 5-2 conference record this season. Siewert is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his fourth year in Colorado's roster. Siewert has averaged so far 8.3ppg and 4.7rpg in 19 games. He used to play for the Brazilian U18 national team six years ago.

Didi Louzada

   #8. Swingman Didi Louzada (198-99, currently plays in Australia) helped Kings win their game against the league outsider Illawarra Hawks (5-19) crushing them 102-79 in the Australian NBL last Friday. Louzada recorded 14 points. Sydney Kings (18-7) are placed first in the NBL. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be extremely important. Louzada has reliable stats this season: 10.3ppg, 3.7rpg and 1.7apg. He plays currently for the Brazilian national team.

Raul Neto

   #9. Former international point guard Raul Neto (185-92, currently plays in NBA) helped Philadelphia 76ers win their game against the Los Angeles Lakers (36-10) 108-91 in the NBA on Saturday night. Neto recorded 9 points and added 3 passes in 19 minutes. The Philadelphia 76ers have a solid 30-17 record this season. Neto has averaged so far 4.0ppg and 1.6apg in 38 games. He used to play for the Brazilian national team four years ago.

Rafael Monteiro

   #10. Forward Rafael Monteiro (193-98, currently plays in NCAA2) helped Augusta University win their game against the University of North Georgia (3-6) crushing them 83-58 in the NCAA2 last Wednesday. He had a double-double by scoring 24 points and getting 10 rebounds in 31 minutes. The Augusta University has a solid 6-3 record this season. Monteiro has very impressive stats this year: 18.4ppg, 8.1rpg and 2.6apg in 17 games. He is a former U18 international player as four years ago he still played for the Brazilian national team.

   #11. Former U17 international forward Kayo Goncalves (203-99, currently plays in NCAA2) helped Southeastern Oklahoma State University win their game against the Ouachita Baptist University 90-83 in the NCAA2 last Thursday. Goncalves scored 22 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Goncalves' stats this season are: 13.2ppg and 8.2rpg. He used to play for the Brazilian U17 national team five years ago.

   #12. International point guard Rafael Luz (188-92, agency: Interperformances, currently plays in Spain) managed to help Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB to win against the league outsider Baloncesto Fuenlabrada crushing them 94-71 in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Saturday night's game. He recorded only 3 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Luz has averaged so far 5.5ppg, 2.5rpg and 2.7apg. He is also in the roster of the Brazilian national team.

   #13. International center Joao Paulo Batista (205-81, college: Gonzaga, currently plays in France). He could not help one of league's weakest teams Le Mans to beat JSF Nanterre. Batista cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points. His team was defeated 85-79. Batista has averaged so far 6.7ppg, 3.4rpg and 1.8apg. He is also Brazilian national team player.

   #14. Former U18 international forward Tulio Da Silva (201-96, currently studies in the States) helped Missouri St. win their game against the Valparaiso University 67-60 in the NCAA last Thursday. Da Silva scored only 2 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Da Silva has averaged so far 9.4ppg, 7.2rpg and 1.1apg. He used to play for the Brazilian U18 national team back in 2014.

   #15. Former international guard Carlos Cobos (193-88, currently plays in Spain) helped CB Granada win their game against the 14th-ranked Magia Huesca 71-54 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) on Saturday night. Cobos recorded 5 points in 17 minutes. Cobos has averaged so far 4.5ppg, 2.4rpg and 2.3apg in 19 games. He used to play for the Brazilian national team ten years ago.


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

   #1. Feliciano Perez (210-C-90, currently plays in Portugal) was the major contributor in Galitos-Barreiro's victory against the league outsider Terceira (0-17) 96-94 in the Portuguese LPB in Saturday night's game. Perez scored 17 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Galitos-Barreiro (9-8) is placed sixth in the LPB. Perez's stats this season are: 13.5ppg, 5.0rpg and 1.5spg.

   #2. Oscar Da Silva (207-PF-98, currently plays college basketball in the States), who plays in the NCAA could not help the Stanford (4-1) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Da Silva's good performance his team was edged 52-50 at home by the University of California. He scored 13 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and made 2 blocks. Da Silva has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 16.0ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.6apg and 1.3spg. Da Silva has a dual citizenship: German and Brazilian. Despite his Brazilian passport, Da Silva previously played for the German U19 national team and is probably not eligible to play for the Brazilian team.

   #3. Ayan Carvalho (196-G/F-97, college: Temple, currently plays in Argentina) led Dep Viedma to an easy victory against the leader Estudiantes Olavarria (14-6) 103-85 in the Argentinian La Liga Argentina (second division) in Monday night's game. He scored 16 points (was perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line) in 24 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Carvalho's second season in pro basketball. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group Conferencia Sur. Deportivo Viedma Rio Negro (14-7) is placed second in Conferencia Sur. Carvalho's stats this year are: 12.5ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.1apg and 1.4spg in 20 games he played so far. He is another player who holds two passports: Brazilian and Argentinian. Despite Carvalho's Brazilian nationality, he currently plays for the Argentinian university national team and cannot be called to the Brazilian team.

   #4. Experienced Vinicius Da Silva (212-C-1, currently plays in Spain) was not able to help CB Prat (13-6) in their last game. Despite Da Silva's very good performance the third-placed CB Prat (13-6) lost 84-91 on the road to the much lower-ranked (#10) Villarrobledo in the West group. He was the second best scorer with 20 points. Da Silva also added 3 steals in 38 minutes. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. Da Silva has averaged so far 8.2ppg and 4.5rpg in 17 games.

   #5. Rodrigo Goncalves (203-F-87, currently plays in Argentina) was not able to secure a victory for Petrolero (10-10) in their last game. Despite Goncalves' very good performance the fourth-placed Petrolero (10-10) was edged 78-75 on their home court in Plaza Huincul by the higher-ranked (#3) Villa Mitre in the Conferencia Sur. He was the top scorer with 18 points. Goncalves also added 9 rebounds in 32 minutes. It was Petrolero's first loss after three consecutive victories. Goncalves' stats this year are: 14.5ppg and 9.3rpg in 18 games.

   #6. Eduardo Lane (208-F-99, currently studies in the States) led SJSU to a victory against the U.S. Air Force Academy 90-81 in the NCAA on Saturday night. He recorded 11 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Lane has averaged so far 3.4ppg and 2.6rpg.

   #7. Gabriel De Oliveira (206-F/C-97, currently plays in Basketball Champions League) couldn't help Telekom Baskets in their game against Neptunas in the Basketball Champions League. He scored only 4 points in 1 minutes on the court. His team was crushed by 25 points 93-68. This year De Oliveira averages just 2.0ppg in six games. He has both Brazilian and German nationalities.

   #8. Diego Maffia (185-PG-1, currently plays in Canada) led University of Victoria to a 2-point victory over the Wolfpack 73-71 in the U Sports last Saturday. Maffia was the top player that evening. He scored 15 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Maffia averaged so far 12.0ppg, 2.6rpg and 1.9apg. He also holds two passports: Brazilian and Canadian.

   #9. Felipe Dos Anjos (218-C-98, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Palencia Baloncesto in their game against Palma in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division). Dos Anjos recorded 8 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 21 minutes. His team lost 68-79. Dos Anjos has averaged so far 6.4ppg and 6.3rpg in 18 games.

   #10. Romulo Gusmao (208-C-95, currently plays in Argentina) couldn't help Argentino in their game against Comunicaciones in the Argentinian La Liga. He scored only 4 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. His team was crushed by 24 points 85-61. Gusmao has averaged so far 3.9ppg and 4.0rpg.