POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Colombian players, who play currently abroad.
#1. This week's number one is former international guard
Siaan Rojas (201-1996, college:
WWU, currently plays in Brazil). He contributed to
Brasilia's victory against the league leader Vivo/Franca (26-3)
96-86 in the Brazilian NBB in Monday night's game.
Rojas recorded 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and made 2 blocks in 21 minutes on the court.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. BRB/Brasiliais placed in the NBB.
This year Rojas averages: 7.7ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.9apg, 2FGP: 41.6%, 3FGP: 29.8% and FT: 68.2% in 27 games he played so far.
He is a naturalized American.
Rojas played for the Colombian senior national team year ago.
He used to play for Piratas de Bogota in Colombian league.
#2. Second place goes to an experienced former international power forward
Juan Palacios-Tello (206-1985, currently plays in Lithuania). Palacios-Tello managed to help Jonavos CBet to win against the closely-ranked Neptunas (9-14)
78-75 in the Lithuanian LKL last Saturday.
He scored only 4 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Jonavos CBet (11-12) is placed sixth in the LKL.
They ended the series of four consecutive loses.
Palacios-Tello has relatively good stats this season: 10.3ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 43.3%, 3FGP: 13.8% and FT: 64.7%.
He has a dual citizenship: Spanish and Colombian.
Former Guerreros de Bogota starter played for the Colombian national team in 21.
#3. The Colombian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international point guard
Hansel Atencia (178-1997, college:
Master's, currently plays in Spain). Atencia contributed to
Oviedo's victory against the tenth-ranked Coruna (9-13)
67-60 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) on Sunday night.
He scored 10 points and added 6 passes in 22 minutes.
Unicaja Banco Oviedo (15-11) is placed fifth in the LEB Gold.
This year Atencia has relatively solid stats: 11.3ppg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 54.8%, 3FGP: 41.4% and FT: 81.8% in seven games.
He is another player who holds two passports: Colombian and Spanish.
Former Titanes de Barranquilla starter played for the Colombian national team year ago.
#4. Power forward
Jhan Paul Mejia (208-1994, college:
Charleston, currently plays in Spain) could not help
Quintanar (10-16) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Mejia's good performance the 13th-placed Quintanar (10-16) was crushed
78-54 on the road by the higher-ranked Movistar Estudiantes Madrid B team (#12) in the Group B.
He was the top scorer with 11 points. Mejia also added 5 rebounds.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
Mejia's overall stats this season are: 9.6ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.3apg and 1.1spg.
Similarly like Atencia and Palacios-Tello above He has both Colombian and Spanish nationalities.
Mejia used to play for the Colombian national team
back in 22.
#5. Former international power forward
Michaell Jackson (190-1987, currently plays in El Salvador) was not able to help one of league's weakest teams
Santa Tecla (11-5) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Santa Tecla lost
83-88 at home to the leading San Salvador.
Jackson had a double-double by scoring 30 points and getting 15 rebounds in 40 minutes.
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: 25.2ppg, 9.7rpg, 4.5apg and 3.2spg in six games.
Jackson used to play for the Colombian national team
years ago.
Other top Colombian players, who play abroad:Braian Angola-Rodas (198-G/F-1994) plays for
AEK in Greek A1
Jaime Echenique (211-C-1997) plays for
Washington Wizards in the NBA
Tonny Trocha-Morelos (208-PF-1994) plays for
KFUM Jamtland in Swedish Basketligan
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
Jaret Teheran (203-F-2003) plays for
Veritas Prep in the
Yustin Llerena (195-F-2002) plays for
Riachuelo LR in Argentinian LDD
Freddy Asprilla (206-C-1988) plays for
Santiagueno in Salvadorean Liga MB
Notice:
The list above includes only some of the Colombian playing currently abroad. Go to Colombian Abroad Page to see completed list.
