Tim Soares' double-double lands him Player of the Week award among Brazilians playing currently abroad:

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.

Tim Soares

   #1. This week's number one is an international center Tim Soares (211-97, college: Master's, currently plays in Israel). He led Ironi Nes-Ziona to a victory over the closely-ranked Galil Gilboa (3-4) 89-78 in the Israeli Winner League in Sunday night's game. Soares was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 33 points and getting 14 rebounds in 30 minutes on the court; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Soares' second season in pro basketball. Ironi Hai Motors Nes-Ziona (4-3) is placed sixth in the Winner League. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Soares has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.7ppg, 8.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1bpg, 2FGP: 63.3%(31-49), 3FGP: 69.2%(9-13) and FT: 84.0% in seven games he played so far. Soares is a naturalized American. He is currently a member of the Brazilian senior national team. Strangely Soares has never played in Brazil.

Marcelinho Huertas

   #2. Second place goes to an experienced international point guard Marcelinho Huertas (191-83, currently plays in Spain). He contributed to Tenerife's victory against the closely-ranked Gran Canaria (7-4) 98-89 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Saturday. Huertas scored 10 points and added 5 assists. Lenovo Tenerife (8-3) is placed third in the Liga Endesa. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Huertas' overall stats this year are: 9.5ppg, 1.8rpg, 6.1apg, 2FGP: 46.9%, 3FGP: 21.1% and FT: 84.2%. He has a dual citizenship: Brazilian and Italian. Huertas is in the roster of the Brazilian senior national team.

Vitor Benite

   #3. The Brazilian player who performed third best last week abroad was an international shooting guard Vitor Benite (194-90, currently plays in Basketball Champions League). He contributed to Burgos' victory against the closely-ranked EWE Baskets (1-3) 85-72 in the Basketball Champions League on Wednesday night. Benite recorded 16 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 31 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Hereda San Pablo Burgos (3-1) 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 will be critical. It's Benite's fourth season with the team. He has relatively good stats this year: 14.8ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 53.3%, 3FGP: 48.1%(13-27) in four games. Benite is also a member of the Brazilian senior national team.

Cristiano Felicio

   #4. Center Cristiano Felicio (206-92, college: Oregon, currently plays in Germany) could not help ratiopharm Ulm (2-1) in their last game. Despite his very good performance ratiopharm Ulm lost 66-71 on the road to the leading ALBA Berlin. Felicio had a double-double by scoring 15 points and getting 13 rebounds in 37 minutes. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It's Felicio's first year with the team. This season he has relatively solid stats: 13.3ppg, 9.9rpg and 1.8bpg in eight games. Felicio is also Brazilian national team player.

Augusto Lima

   #5. Former international center Augusto Lima (210-91, currently plays in Spain) contributed to Murcia's victory against the eighth-ranked Manresa (6-5) 71-67 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Sunday. Lima scored 6 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 3 assists. Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB (2-1) is placed second in the Liga Endesa. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Lima's overall stats this season are: 8.5ppg, 6.0rpg and 2.1apg. He used to play for the Brazilian national team two years ago.

Joao Franca

   #6. Center Joao Franca (215-98, currently plays in Uruguay) contributed to an easy victory against the eighth-ranked Malvin (2-3) crushing them 93-71 in a derby game in the Uruguayan LUB on Monday night. Franca had a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting 10 rebounds in 24 minutes. Atletico Bigua Montevideo (5-0) is placed second in the LUB. So far his team won all five games in the Regular Season. The Regular Season already ended. It's Franca's first season with the team. He has reliable stats this year: 10.8ppg, 6.6rpg and 1.4apg in five games. Franca is a former U18 international player as he played for the Brazilian team five years ago.

Raul Neto

   #7. Former international point guard Raul Neto (185-92, currently plays in NBA) contributed to a Washington Wizards' victory against the New Orleans Pelicans (3-16) 105-100 in the NBA last Monday. Neto recorded 8 points in 23 minutes. The Washington Wizards have a solid 11-6 record this season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Neto averaged so far 7.2ppg, 1.9rpg and 2.5apg in 16 games. He used to play for the Brazilian national team five years ago.

Rodolfo Bolis

   #8. Forward Rodolfo Bolis (197-3, currently plays college basketball in the States) helped EIU win their game against the Rockford University (3-16) crushing them 96-64 in the NCAA on Thursday night. Bolis recorded 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. The Eastern Illinois University has 3-0 overall record this season. Bolis' overall stats this year are: 9.3ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.3apg and 1.3spg. He used to play for the Brazilian U17 national team back in 2019.

Rafael Luz

   #9. International point guard Rafael Luz (188-92, agency: Interperformances, currently plays in Spain) was not able to help Bilbao in their game against Valencia (7-4) in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Luz scored 5 points in 8 minutes. Bilbao was badly defeated 100-84 on the opponent's court by the lower-ranked (#6) Valencia. So far Bilbao lost all three games in the Regular Season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This year Luz's overall stats are: 4.8ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.5apg and 1.2spg in 11 games. He is also in the roster of the Brazilian national team.

Leonardo Demetrio

   #10. Forward Leonardo Demetrio (209-94, currently plays in Italy) managed to help Carpegna Prosciutto Basket Pesaro to win against the closely-ranked Cremona (1-3) 88-84 in the Italian Serie A last Sunday. Demetrio scored 5 points. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Carpegna Prosciutto Basket Pesaro (2-1) is placed second in the Serie A. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Demetrio's total stats this season are: 4.6ppg and 3.6rpg. He is international player as one years ago he still played for the Brazilian senior national team.

   #11. Former U17 international forward Kayo Goncalves (203-99, currently studies in the States), who plays in the NCAA was not able to secure a victory for the USA in their last game. Despite Goncalves' good performance the USA (#6) lost 68-73 at home to the The University of Alabama. He scored 12 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 39 minutes. This year Goncalves' total stats are: 9.3ppg, 4.0rpg and 1.8spg in four games. He used to play for the Brazilian U17 national team six years ago.

   #12. International point guard Caio Pacheco (189-99, currently plays in Poland) couldn't help MKS DG in their game against Asseco Arka in the Polish EBL. Pacheco cannot count Thursday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 23 minutes. It was his first game for MKS DG this season. His team was edged 81-80. Pacheco used to play for the Brazilian national team last year.

   #13. Former U16 international center Matheus Silveira (213-0, is currently at the American university) helped Portland win their game against the Morgan State University 74-63 in the NCAA last Saturday. He scored 8 points. This season Silveira averages only 3.8ppg. He used to play for the Brazilian U16 national team six years ago.

   #14. Former U19 international center Felipe Braga (213-94, currently plays in France) helped Lorient win their game against the 14th-ranked JSA Bordeaux crushing them 93-60 in the French NM1 (third division) on Saturday night. He recorded 8 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 20 minutes. Braga has averaged so far 3.3ppg and 3.5rpg in 13 games. He used to play for the Brazilian U19 national team back in 2013.

   #15. Former U18 international center Victor Bafutto (208-98, currently plays college basketball in the States) helped Mercer win their game against the Life University crushing them 78-50 in the NCAA in Tuesday night's game. Bafutto recorded only 2 points. It was his first game for Mercer this season. Bafutto used to play for the Brazilian U18 national team five years ago.


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

   #1. Experienced Gabriel Novaes (208-C-1, currently plays in Argentina) could not help Bahia (3-11) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his very good performance the fourth-placed Bahia (3-11) was badly defeated 96-78 on the road by the leading Dep Viedma in the Conferencia Sur C. Novaes recorded a double-double by scoring 29 points and getting 11 rebounds. The Regular Season already ended. This season Novaes has relatively solid stats: 14.4ppg, 9.5rpg and 2.2apg.

   #2. Tom Oliveira (204-F-93, currently plays in Argentina) was the major contributor in H.Americano's victory against the closely-ranked San Lorenzo (3-4) 76-73 in the Argentinian La Liga on Friday night. He scored 12 points, had 8 rebounds and made 2 blocks. Hispano Americano de Rio Gallegos (1-6) is placed fifth in the La Liga. It was his team's first victory after six consecutive loses. It's Oliveira's first season with the team. Oliveira's overall stats this year are: 6.3ppg and 5.2rpg.

   #3. Oscar Da Silva (206-PF-98, college: Stanford, currently plays in Euroleague) was not able to help ALBA Berlin in their game against Unics (6-5) in the Euroleague. He scored 8 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 22 minutes. ALBA Berlin lost 71-85 in Kazan to the higher-ranked (#9) Unics. It was ALBA Berlin's third consecutive loss in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Da Silva has reliable stats this year: 12.2ppg and 3.8rpg in 10 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Brazilian and German. Despite Da Silva's Brazilian passport, he previously played for the German U19 national team and is probably not eligible to play for the Brazilian team.

   #4. Tristan Da Silva (203-F-1, currently plays college basketball in the States), who plays in the NCAA was not able to secure a victory for the Colorado in their last game on Friday. Despite his very good performance the Colorado was defeated 67-63 in Carbondale by the Southern Illinois University. Da Silva scored 15 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Da Silva's overall stats this season are: 8.6ppg, 4.2rpg and 1.6apg. He is another player who holds two passports: German and Brazilian. Despite Da Silva's Brazilian nationality, he currently plays for the German U20 national team and cannot be called to the Brazilian team.

   #5. Joao Gallina (192-SF-94, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Quintanar (4-6) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Gallina's good performance the 12th-placed Quintanar (4-6) was defeated 76-71 at home by the much higher-ranked Guadalajara (#4) in the Group B. He recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 11 rebounds. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Gallina has averaged so far 8.2ppg, 3.7rpg and 1.1spg. He has both Brazilian and Portuguese nationalities. Despite Gallina's Brazilian passport, he previously played for the Portuguese U20 national team.

   #6. Felipe Dos Anjos (218-C-98, currently plays in Spain) managed to help Movistar Estudiantes Madrid to win against the 11th-ranked Caceres 71-62 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) on Friday night. He scored only 2 points. Dos Anjos has averaged so far 2.3ppg and 2.4rpg.

   #7. Leonardo Colimerio (201-G/F-1, currently studies in the States) contributed to a Fresno St.'s victory against the University of Idaho 69-62 in the NCAA in Monday night's game. He recorded 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 17 minutes. Colimerio has averaged so far 6.7ppg, 4.7rpg and 1.3apg in three games.

   #8. Victor Demetrio (206-F-95, college: OVU, currently plays in Germany) helped White Wings win their game against the fifth-ranked Skyliners II 69-66 in the German ProB (third division) on Saturday night. Demetrio recorded only 4 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in 28 minutes. Demetrio has averaged so far 5.2ppg and 6.6rpg in five games. He also holds two passports: Italian and Brazilian.

   #9. Nick Silva (201-F, currently plays in NCAA2) couldn't help the Francis Marion University in their game against the Emmanuel College in the NCAA2. Silva scored 8 points. His team was defeated 77-64 in the NCAA2. Silva has averaged so far 7.5ppg, 2.5rpg and 1.3apg.

   #10. Enzo Silveira (208-F-99, currently plays in NCAA2) helped Southeastern Oklahoma State University win their game against the Arlington Baptist University crushing them 128-70 in the NCAA2 last Wednesday. He scored 5 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 8 minutes. Silveira has averaged so far 3.0ppg and 1.7rpg in three games.