POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
We bring you last week's top performances from Colombians 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 an experienced former international power forward
Juan Palacios-Tello (206-1985, currently plays in Lithuania). He could not help
Jonava (10-12) in their last game. Despite Palacios-Tello's good performance Jonava was crushed
91-67 at home by the second-ranked Rytas.
He was the top scorer with 14 points. Palacios-Tello also added 8 rebounds in 32 minutes on the court.
It was Jonava's fourth consecutive loss in a row.
Palacios-Tello has relatively good stats this year: 10.8ppg, 7.7rpg, 2.6apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 44.9%, 3FGP: 14.3% and FT: 64.7% in 13 games he played so far.
He has a dual citizenship: Spanish and Colombian.
Former Guerreros de Bogota starter played for the Colombian senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international point guard
Hansel Atencia (178-1997, college:
Master's, currently plays in Spain). Atencia led
Oviedo to a victory over the 13th-ranked Valladolid (10-14)
88-71 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) last Tuesday.
He was MVP of the game. Atencia scored 22 points and added 3 passes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Unicaja Banco Oviedo (13-11) is placed seventh in the LEB Gold.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
This season Atencia has relatively solid stats: 12.0ppg, 1.8apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 60.9%(14-23), 3FGP: 42.9% and FT: 83.3%.
He is another player who holds two passports: Colombian and Spanish.
Former Titanes de Barranquilla starter played for the Colombian national team in 21.
#3. The Colombian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international power forward
Michaell Jackson (190-1987, currently plays in El Salvador). Jackson was the main contributor in an
Santa Tecla's victory against the closely-ranked Brujos (3-1)
90-82 in the Salvadorean Liga MB (second division) on Sunday night.
He was the best player in that game. Jackson had a double-double by scoring 34 points and getting 15 rebounds. He also added 3 assists and 5 steals in 40 minutes.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. ITD Santa Tecla BC (3-1) is placed second in the Liga MB.
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.
Jackson has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 25.5ppg, 9.0rpg, 5.0apg, 4.0spg, 2FGP: 51.1%, 3FGP: 34.6% and FT: 79.4% in four games.
Former Aguilas de Tunja starter played for the Colombian national team year ago.
#4. Power forward
Jhan Paul Mejia (208-1994, college:
Charleston, currently plays in Spain) was not able to help
Quintanar in their game against Guadalajara (11-12) in the Spanish EBA (fourth division). Mejia's contribution was not very remarkable in Saturday's game.
He recorded only 2 points.
The 11th-placed Quintanar (10-15) was crushed
87-61 on the road by the higher-ranked Guadalajara (#8) in the Group B.
Mejia's overall stats this season are: 9.5ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.3apg and 1.1spg.
He has both Colombian and Spanish nationalities.
Mejia used to play for the Colombian national team
back in 22.
Other top Colombian players, who play abroad:Jaime Echenique (211-C-1997) plays for
Washington Wizards in the NBA
Braian Angola-Rodas (198-G/F-1994) plays for
AEK in Greek A1
Tonny Trocha-Morelos (208-PF-1994) plays for
KFUM Jamtland in Swedish Basketligan
Siaan Rojas (201-G-1996) plays for
Brasilia in Brazilian NBB
Andres Ibarguen (198-F-1996) plays for
Prat in Spanish LEB Gold
Romario Roque (180-G-1998) plays for
Nyon in Swiss SBL
Luis Almanza (196-F-1991) plays for
CDP in Dominican Rep. Santiago League
Soren De Luque (196-F-1998) plays for
Pergamino in Argentinian La Liga Argentina
Yustin Llerena (195-F-2002) plays for
Riachuelo LR in Argentinian LDD
Jaret Teheran (203-F-2003) plays for
Veritas Prep in the
Juan Madrigal (211-C-2004) plays for
Peoria Notre Dame in the
Notice:
The list above includes only some of the Colombian playing currently abroad. Go to Colombian Abroad Page to see completed list.
