Marcelinho Huertas 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.

Marcelinho Huertas

   #1. This week's number one is an experienced international point guard Marcelinho Huertas (191-83, currently plays in Spain). He could not help Tenerife (8-4) in their last game. Despite Huertas' good performance Tenerife was edged 95-93 on the road by the lower-ranked (#8) Manresa. He scored 13 points and added 8 passes in 25 minutes on the court. It was Tenerife's first loss after four consecutive victories. This year Huertas averages: 9.8ppg, 1.8rpg, 6.3apg, 2FGP: 45.2%, 3FGP: 22.7% and FT: 81.8% in 12 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Brazilian and Italian. Huertas is currently a member of the Brazilian senior national team.

Tim Soares

   #2. Second place goes to an international center Tim Soares (211-97, college: Master's, currently plays in Israel). He was the major contributor in an Ironi Nes-Ziona's victory against the closely-ranked Maccabi Tel-Aviv (5-3) 87-73 in the Israeli Winner League last Sunday. Soares scored 16 points and grabbed 4 rebounds (was perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line); quite an impressive performance considering it's only his second season in pro basketball. Ironi Hai Motors Nes-Ziona (5-3) is placed fourth in the Winner League. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. It's Soares' first year with the team. Soares has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 15.8ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1bpg, 2FGP: 62.5%(35-56), 3FGP: 71.4%(10-14) and FT: 86.7%. Soares is a naturalized American. He is in the roster of the Brazilian senior national team. Strangely Soares has never played in Brazil.

Cristiano Felicio

   #3. The Brazilian player who performed third best last week abroad was an international center Cristiano Felicio (206-92, college: Oregon, currently plays in Germany). He contributed to a ratiopharm Ulm's victory against the tenth-ranked 46ers 87-76 in the German BBL in Friday night's game. Felicio scored 8 points, had 13 rebounds and dished 4 assists. Ratiopharm Ulm (3-1) is placed third in the BBL. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Felicio has relatively good stats this year: 12.7ppg, 10.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.7bpg, 2FGP: 63.8%(44-69), 3FGP: 66.7% and FT: 66.7%. Ex-Clube de Regatas do Flamengo player is also a member of the Brazilian senior national team.

Vitor Benite

   #4. Shooting guard Vitor Benite (194-90, currently plays in Spain) led Burgos to a victory against the closely-ranked Gran Canaria (7-5) 89-82 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Sunday. He scored 13 points in 25 minutes. Hereda San Pablo Burgos (5-3) is placed fifth in the Liga Endesa. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. Benite is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his fourth year in Burgos' roster. This season Benite has relatively solid stats: 13.3ppg, 2.5rpg and 1.2apg in 12 games. He is also Brazilian national team player.

Joao Franca

   #5. Former U18 international center Joao Franca (215-98, currently plays in Uruguay) helped Bigua win their game against the tenth-ranked Trouville (2-5) 91-81 in a derby game in the Uruguayan LUB on Monday night. Franca scored 17 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Atletico Bigua Montevideo (7-0) is placed first in the LUB. So far his team won all seven games in the Regular Season. The Regular Season already ended. Franca has reliable stats this season: 12.1ppg and 7.0rpg. He used to play for the Brazilian U18 national team five years ago.

Raul Neto

   #6. Point guard Raul Neto (185-92, currently plays in NBA) was not able to help the Washington Wizards (14-11) in their last game. Despite Neto's good performance the Washington Wizards (14-11) lost 101-116 in Cleveland to the Cavaliers. He scored 13 points and added 4 assists in 22 minutes. It was Wizards' third consecutive loss in a row. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Neto's stats this year are: 7.5ppg, 2.0rpg and 2.5apg in 24 games. He is a former international player as he played for the Brazilian senior team five years ago.

Augusto Lima

   #7. Former international center Augusto Lima (210-91, currently plays in Spain) was not able to secure a victory for Murcia (2-1) in their game against Joventut (7-4) in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Lima scored 6 points, had 7 rebounds and dished 4 assists. Murcia was defeated 83-77 in Badalona by the lower-ranked Joventut (#4). Lima's overall stats this season are: 8.3ppg, 6.1rpg and 2.3apg. He used to play for the Brazilian national team two years ago.

Leonardo Demetrio

   #8. Forward Leonardo Demetrio (209-94, currently plays in Italy) helped Pesaro win their game against the closely-ranked Varese (1-3) 94-75 in the Italian Serie A on Sunday night. Demetrio recorded 13 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 32 minutes. 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. It's Demetrio's first season with the team. This year his overall stats are: 5.6ppg and 3.8rpg in nine games. Demetrio used to play for the Brazilian national team last year.

Leonardo Meindl

   #9. International small forward Leonardo Meindl (201-93, currently plays in Spain) helped Fuenlabrada edge the fifth-ranked Valencia (7-5) 88-87 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Saturday. Meindl scored 13 points in 20 minutes. Urbas Fuenlabrada (3-9) is placed second from the bottom (#17) in the Liga Endesa. They ended the series of four consecutive loses. Meindl has very impressive stats this year: 17.0ppg, 6.3rpg and 2.7apg in six games. He is also in the roster of the Brazilian national team.

Caio Pacheco

   #10. Point guard Caio Pacheco (189-99, currently plays in Poland) couldn't help MKS DG (3-10) in their game against Trefl (6-7) in the Polish EBL. Pacheco recorded 9 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists in 27 minutes. But MKS DG was badly defeated 86-70 in Sopot by the higher-ranked (#10) Trefl. This year Pacheco's total stats are: 5.5ppg, 4.5rpg and 5.0apg in two games. He is international player as one years ago he still played for the Brazilian senior national team.

   #11. Former international guard Scott Machado (186-90, college: Iona, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help Cairns Taipans in their game against Perth Wildcats in the Australian NBL. He recorded only 4 points and added 6 assists in 29 minutes. It was his first game for Cairns Taipans this season. His team were crushed by 23 points 90-67. Machado is a naturalized American. He used to play for the Brazilian national team three years ago. Apparently Machado has never played in Brazil.

   #12. Former U17 international guard Fernando Salsamendi (196, college: Ave Maria, currently plays in Portugal) couldn't help Electrico FC (2-6) in their last game. Despite his good performance the seventh-placed Electrico FC was badly defeated 75-59 by the second-ranked Galomar in the North group. Salsamendi was the second best scorer with 13 points. He also added 6 rebounds in 37 minutes. Salsamendi has very impressive stats this year: 16.8ppg, 8.1rpg and 1.3apg in eight games. He used to play for the Brazilian U17 national team back in 2013.

   #13. Former U17 international forward Kayo Goncalves (203-99, currently plays college basketball in the States) helped USA win their game against the Texas A&M University - Commerce 69-66 in the NCAA on Monday night. Goncalves scored 13 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Goncalves has averaged so far 8.0ppg, 4.2rpg and 1.1spg. He used to play for the Brazilian U17 national team six years ago.

   #14. Former U17 international forward Rodolfo Bolis (197-3, currently studies in the States) helped EIU win their game against the North Park University 76-71 in the NCAA in Saturday night's game. Bolis scored 10 points, grabbed 5 boards, handed out 3 passes and blocked 2 shots in 26 minutes. Bolis has averaged so far 7.0ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.3apg and 1.3spg in nine games. He used to play for the Brazilian U17 national team back in 2019.

   #15. Former U16 international center Matheus Silveira (213-0, is currently at the American university) couldn't help the Portland in their game against the Virginia Military Institute in the NCAA. He cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones. Silveira recorded only 2 points. His team was defeated 90-82. Silveira has averaged so far 5.2ppg and 2.3rpg. He used to play for the Brazilian U16 national team six 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) led Bahia to a victory over the second-ranked Rocamora (6-9) 76-69 in the Argentinian La Liga Argentina (second division) on Friday night. He was MVP of the game. Novaes had a double-double by scoring 26 points and getting 11 rebounds. He also added 2 blocks in 32 minutes. Bahia Basket (5-12) is placed fourth in Conferencia Sur C. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Novaes has relatively good stats this year: 14.9ppg, 9.7rpg and 2.1apg in 17 games he played so far.

   #2. Oscar Da Silva (206-PF-98, college: Stanford, currently plays in Germany) managed to help ALBA Berlin to win against the seventh-ranked Chemnitz crushing them 83-62 in the German BBL in Sunday night's game. He scored only 4 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. ALBA Berlinis placed first in the BBL. Da Silva averaged so far 11.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.1apg, 1.3bpg and 1.9spg. He has a dual citizenship: Brazilian and German.

   #3. Tristan Da Silva (203-F-1, currently plays college basketball in the States), who plays in the NCAA could not help the Colorado (1-1) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Da Silva's good performance the Colorado was defeated 69-54 on the road by the University of Tennessee. He scored 11 points. There are only two games left until the end of the NCAA Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. Da Silva's total stats this season are: 8.3ppg, 3.4rpg and 1.9apg. 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 is not eligible to play for the Brazilian team.

   #4. Diego Maffia (185-G-1, currently plays in Canada) was the main contributor in an University of Victoria's victory against the Timberwolves (2-6) crushing them 83-49 in the U Sports last Saturday. Maffia was MVP of the game. He scored 15 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished 7 assists. The University of Victoria has a very good 7-1 record this season. It was his team's sixth consecutive victory in a row. Maffia has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 19.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.4apg and 1.5spg. Maffia has both Brazilian and Canadian nationalities.

   #5. Nick Silva (201-F, currently plays in NCAA2) was not able to help the Francis Marion University in their last game on Tuesday. Despite his good performance his team was defeated 76-69 in Wilson by the Barton College. Silva scored 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Silva has averaged so far 9.8ppg, 5.0rpg and 1.5apg.

   #6. Felipe Dos Anjos (218-C-98, currently plays in Spain) contributed to an easy victory against the 13th-ranked Valladolid crushing them 81-60 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) last Sunday. Dos Anjos recorded only 2 points. Dos Anjos has averaged so far 2.3ppg and 2.3rpg.

   #7. Victor Demetrio (206-F-95, college: OVU, currently plays in Germany) was not able to secure a victory for White Wings in their game against Rackelos in the German ProB (third division). He scored 6 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 22 minutes. His team was edged 73-72. Demetrio has averaged so far 5.0ppg and 6.1rpg in seven games. He also holds two passports: Italian and Brazilian. Despite Demetrio's Brazilian nationality, he previously played for the Italian university national team and probably cannot be called to the Brazilian team.

   #8. Joao Gallina (192-SF-94, currently plays in Spain) contributed to Quintanar's surprising victory against the leader Real Madrid 2nd team 71-69 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Saturday night's game. Gallina scored 9 points, had 4 boards, dished 5 assists and stole 4 balls. Gallina has averaged so far 8.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.4apg and 1.4spg. He has dual citizenship: Brazilian and Portuguese. Despite Gallina's Brazilian passport, he previously played for the Portuguese U20 national team.

   #9. Cassio Santos (203-F/C-90, currently plays in Sweden) couldn't help the league outsider Fryshuset in their game against Nassjo in the Swedish Basketligan. Santos recorded 7 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 19 minutes. His team was badly defeated by 18 points 81-63. Santos has averaged so far 8.3ppg and 3.3rpg in 10 games.

   #10. Leonardo Colimerio (201-G/F-1, currently studies in the States) contributed to an easy victory against the University of San Diego crushing them 63-43 in the NCAA on Wednesday night. He scored only 4 points. Colimerio has averaged so far 5.1ppg and 4.6rpg.