Marcelinho Huertas' 33 points make him top Brazilian player abroad of the week

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 former international point guard Marcelinho Huertas (191-1983, currently plays in Spain). He led Tenerife to a 3-point victory over the 16th-ranked Obradoiro (7-15) 86-83 in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Sunday night's game. Huertas was MVP of the game. He scored 33 points (!!!), grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 7 assists in 30 minutes on the court. Lenovo Tenerife (12-8) is placed fifth in the Liga Endesa. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. Huertas has relatively good stats this year: 13.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 6.3apg, 2FGP: 52.1%, 3FGP: 24.4% and FT: 89.4% in 20 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Brazilian and Italian. Huertas played for the Brazilian senior national team year ago.

Augusto Lima

   #2. Second place goes to former international center Augusto Lima (210-1991, agency: Octagon Europe, currently plays in Spain). He contributed to a 1-point Murcia's victory against the 13th-ranked Unicaja (7-12) 88-87 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Saturday. Lima recorded a double-double by scoring 10 points and getting 12 rebounds. He also added and 3 steals. Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB (2-1) is placed second in the Liga Endesa. This season Lima averages: 8.2ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.5apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 70.2%(73-104) and FT: 32.3%. He played for the Brazilian national team in 22.

Tim Soares

   #3. The Brazilian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international center Tim Soares (211-1997, college: Master's, currently plays in Israel). Soares could not help Ironi Nes-Ziona (8-9) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Ironi Nes-Ziona was badly defeated 99-83 on the road by the higher-ranked (#5) Hapoel Tel-Aviv. Soares was the top scorer with 23 points. He also added 6 rebounds in 25 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Soares' first season in pro basketball. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. This year Soares has relatively solid stats: 14.2ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.4apg, 2FGP: 63.4%(71-112), 3FGP: 61.3%(19-31) and FT: 86.0% in 17 games. He is a naturalized American. Soares played for the Brazilian national team year ago. Strangely he has never played in Brazil.

Scott Machado

   #4. Guard Scott Machado (185-1990, college: Iona, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help Cairns Taipans (4-10) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Machado's very good performance Cairns Taipans were defeated 98-88 in Sydney by the higher-ranked Kings (#3). He was the top scorer with 26 points. Machado also added 4 rebounds and dished 7 assists. Machado has reliable stats this season: 10.3ppg, 2.4rpg and 4.1apg. He is a naturalized American. Machado used to play for the Brazilian national team back in 18. Apparently he has never played in Brazil.

Vitor Benite

   #5. Former international shooting guard Vitor Benite (194-1990, also represented by Octagon Europe, currently plays in Spain) led Burgos to a 3-point victory over the league outsider Real Betis (6-15) 74-71 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Sunday. Benite was the best player in that game. He scored 15 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 25 minutes. Hereda San Pablo Burgos (13-6) is placed second in the Liga Endesa. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. Benite's stats this year are: 12.8ppg, 2.3rpg and 1.4apg in 17 games. He used to play for the Brazilian national team years ago.

Raul Neto

   #6. Point guard Raul Neto (185-1992, currently plays in NBA) led Washington Wizards to a 3-point victory against the Detroit Pistons (17-47) 116-113 in the NBA on Tuesday night. Neto scored 13 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists. The Washington Wizards have 29-34 record this season. Neto averaged so far 8.0ppg, 2.1rpg and 3.0apg. He is a former international player as he played for the Brazilian senior team year ago.

Hatila Passos

   #7. Former international center Hatila Passos (211-1985, college: NM State, currently plays in Uruguay) was the major contributor in Defensor's victory against the closely-ranked Nacional (8-13) 73-66 in a derby game in the Uruguayan LUB in Monday night's game. Passos had a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 10 rebounds in 36 minutes. Defensor Sporting Club Montevideo (8-13) is placed ninth in the LUB. Passos averaged so far 10.2ppg and 11.4rpg in 13 games. He used to play for the Brazilian national team years ago.

Caio Pacheco

   #8. Point guard Caio Pacheco (189-1999, currently plays in Poland) led MKS DG to a victory against the fifth-ranked Anwil (15-8) 92-86 in the Polish EBL last Friday. Pacheco scored 14 points, had 6 rebounds and dished 6 assists. MKS Dabrowa Gornicza (8-15) is placed 13th in the EBL. They ended the series of three consecutive loses. Pacheco's overall stats this season are: 7.3ppg, 4.0rpg and 3.5apg. He used to play for the Brazilian national team back in 20.

Rafael Luz

   #9. Former international point guard Rafael Luz (188-1992, agency: Interperformances, currently plays in Spain) was not able to secure a victory for Bilbao (0-3) in their game against Joventut (11-8) in the Spanish Liga Endesa. He scored only 4 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 21 minutes. Bilbao lost 71-77 at home to the lower-ranked (#7) Joventut. So far Bilbao lost all three games in the Regular Season. This year Luz's overall stats are: 6.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 3.1apg and 1.1spg in 19 games. He used to play for the Brazilian national team years ago.

Fernando Salsamendi

   #10. Guard Fernando Salsamendi (196, college: Ave Maria, currently plays in Portugal) led Electrico FC to a victory over the eighth-ranked Academia (2-17) 78-69 in the Portuguese Proliga (second division) last Sunday. Salsamendi was the top player that evening. He scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds; not bad, considering it's only Salsamendi's first season in pro basketball. Electrico FC (8-11) is placed fifth in Places 1-8 group. There are only three games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game is very crucial. Salsamendi has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 17.1ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.2apg and 1.4spg. Salsamendi is a former U17 international player as years ago he still played for the Brazilian national team.

   #11. Former international forward Leonardo Demetrio (209-1994, currently plays in Italy) couldn't help Pesaro in their game against Reggio Emilia in the Italian Serie A. He cannot count Sunday's game as one of the best ones. Demetrio scored only 2 points in 12 minutes. His team lost 77-86. This year Demetrio's total stats are: 4.2ppg and 3.6rpg in 19 games. He used to play for the Brazilian national team years ago.

   #12. Former U18 international center Victor Bafutto (208-1998, currently plays college basketball in the States) couldn't help the Mercer in their game against the Furman University in the NCAA. Bafutto scored 6 points. His team was defeated 80-66. Bafutto has averaged so far 3.0ppg and 1.9rpg. He used to play for the Brazilian U18 national team back in 16.

   #13. Former U17 international forward Kayo Goncalves (203-1999, currently studies in the States) couldn't help the USA in their game against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in the NCAA. Goncalves scored only 4 points. His team was defeated 75-71. Goncalves has averaged so far 7.3ppg and 4.0rpg. He used to play for the Brazilian U17 national team years ago.

   #14. Former U16 international center Matheus Silveira (213-2000, is currently at the American university) couldn't help the Portland in their game against the Santa Clara University in the NCAA. Silveira cannot count Sunday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points in 5 minutes on the court. His team was crushed by 24 points 91-67. Silveira has averaged so far 4.2ppg and 1.8rpg in 24 games. He used to play for the Brazilian U16 national team back in 15.


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

   #1. Ayan Carvalho (196-G/F-1997, college: Temple, currently plays in Argentina) led Gimnasia to a 3-point victory against the league leader Boca (7-0) 89-86 in the Argentinian La Liga on Sunday night. Carvalho scored 11 points in a mere 16 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Gimnasia y Esgrima Comodoro Rivadavia (5-2) is placed first in the La Liga. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. This year Carvalho's overall stats are: 7.2ppg and 2.4rpg in 14 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Brazilian and Argentinian. Despite Carvalho's Brazilian passport, he previously played for the Argentinian university national team and is probably not eligible to play for the Brazilian team.

   #2. Gabriel Novaes (208-C-2001, currently plays in Argentina) led Bahia to a victory against the second-ranked Dep Viedma (13-7) 96-89 in the Argentinian La Liga Argentina (second division) in Friday night's game. Novaes recorded 12 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and made 2 blocks. Bahia Basket (5-12) is placed 13th in Conferencia Sur. It was his team's first victory after eight consecutive loses. Novaes averaged so far 14.8ppg, 8.8rpg and 2.2apg.

   #3. Felipe Dos Anjos (218-C-1998, currently plays in Spain) contributed to Estudiantes' victory against the 15th-ranked Juaristi ISB (7-14) 89-75 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) last Sunday. He recorded 11 points in only a mere 14 minutes. Movistar Estudiantes Madrid (17-4) is placed second in the LEB Gold. This year Dos Anjos' overall stats are: 5.6ppg and 2.8rpg in 18 games.

   #4. Nick Silva (201-F, currently plays in NCAA2) could not help the Francis Marion University (1-5) in their last game on Monday. Despite his very good performance the Francis Marion University was defeated 95-83 on the road by the University of Mount Olive. Silva recorded 26 points (!!!). The Regular Season already ended in the NCAA2. Silva averaged so far 12.8ppg, 4.8rpg and 2.2apg.

   #5. Tristan Da Silva (203-F-2001, currently plays college basketball in the States) managed to help University of Colorado in a victory against the University of Utah (4-16) 84-71 in the NCAA on Saturday night. He scored 5 points and added 3 assists in 16 minutes. The University of Colorado has 12-8 conference record this season. The Regular Season already ended in the NCAA. This year Da Silva's total stats are: 9.3ppg, 3.5rpg and 1.9apg in 28 games. He is another player who holds two passports: German and Brazilian.

   #6. Cassio Santos (203-F/C-1990, currently plays in Sweden) was not able to help the league outsider Fryshuset (0-29) in their last game on Friday. Despite Santos' very good performance the bottom-ranked Fryshuset was crushed 94-71 at home by the higher-ranked Umea (#7). He was the second best scorer with 17 points. Santos also added 7 rebounds. Santos' total stats this season are: 7.3ppg and 3.6rpg.

   #7. Bernardo Da Silva (206-F-2000, currently studies in the States) contributed to an easy victory against the California State University Northridge crushing them 84-62 in the NCAA last Saturday. He scored 11 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 24 minutes. This year Da Silva's total stats are: 10.0ppg, 6.4rpg and 1.1apg in 20 games.

   #8. Marcelo Ruediger (206-C-1993, college: Tampa, currently plays in Germany) contributed to a Dragons Rhoendorf's victory against the 11th-ranked Rhein Stars 97-90 in the German ProB (third division) on Saturday night. He scored 7 points, had 7 boards, handed out 3 passes and blocked 2 shots. Ruediger's total stats this season are: 4.7ppg and 4.7rpg.

   #9. Rafael Rodrigues (214-PF-2001, currently plays in Germany) helped Science City Jena win their game against the eighth-ranked Phoenix Hagen 99-87 in the German ProA (second division) in Sunday night's game. He recorded only 4 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 12 minutes. This year Rodrigues' total stats are: 2.3ppg and 1.9rpg in 20 games.

   #10. Leonardo Colimerio (201-G/F-2001, is currently at the American university) helped Fresno St. win their game against the University of New Mexico 71-68 in the NCAA last Monday. He scored 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Colimerio's total stats this season are: 4.9ppg and 4.4rpg.