Akil Mitchell's double-double lands him Player of the Week award among Panamanians playing currently abroad:

Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of Panamanians who are currently playing abroad.

Akil Mitchell

   #1. This week's number one is an international forward Akil Mitchell (206-92, college: Virginia, currently plays in Balkan League). He could not help Rishon (0-1) in their last game. Despite Mitchell's very good performance Rishon lost 96-103 at home to the leading Hapoel Jerusalem. He had a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 19 rebounds. Mitchell also added 3 assists in 31 minutes on the court. It was his first game for Rishon this season. His team will play only one more game in the Balkan League First Round. And that game will be critical. Mitchell is a naturalized American. He is currently a member of the Panamanian senior national team. Strangely Mitchell has never played in Panama.

Javier Carter

   #2. Second place goes to an international center Javier Carter (203-91, college: USA, currently plays in Japan). Carter led Akita Happinets to a victory over the eighth-ranked Kyoto Hannaryz (0-4) 79-68 in the Japanese B1 League on Sunday night. He was MVP of the game. Carter recorded 17 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 30 minutes. Akita Northern Happinets (4-0) are placed first in East group. So far his team won all four games in the Regular Season. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Carter has relatively good stats this year: 14.0ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5bpg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 57.1%, 3FGP: 35.7% in two games he played so far. He is a naturalized American. Carter is in the roster of the Panamanian senior national team. He used to play for Caballos de Cocle Aguadulce in Panamanian league.

Josimar Ayarza

   #3. The Panamanian player who performed third best last week abroad was an experienced international forward Josimar Ayarza (205-87, college: Southern Miss, currently plays in Mexico). Ayarza was not able to help the league outsider Correcaminos (0-12) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite his very good performance the sixth-placed Correcaminos (0-12) was crushed 100-71 on their home court in Ciudad Victoria by the higher-ranked Fuerza Regia (#4) in the East group. Ayarza was the top scorer with 20 points. He also added 4 rebounds. It's Ayarza's first season with the team. Ayarza has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 16.5ppg, 6.3rpg, 2FGP: 46.7%, 3FGP: 33.3% and FT: 76.5%. Ex-Aguilas de Rio Abajo Panama City player is also a member of the Panamanian senior national team.

Daniel Giron

   #4. Shooting guard Daniel Giron (192-89, currently plays in Mexico) contributed to Aaguacateros' victory against the fifth-ranked Panteras (4-10) 96-90 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) last Thursday. Giron scored 10 points in 21 minutes. Aaguacateros Michoacan (12-2) is placed first in West group. This year Giron's overall stats are: 8.4ppg, 2.9rpg and 1.6apg in 14 games. He is also Panamanian national team player.


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

   #1. Joshua Ibarra (211-C-95, college: HBU, currently plays in Mexico). He could not help Fuerza Regia (7-6) to beat Dorados (8-6). Ibarra scored 9 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. But the fourth-placed Fuerza Regia (7-6) was defeated 86-75 at home by the higher-ranked Dorados (#3) in the East group. This season Ibarra averages: 5.2ppg and 3.5rpg. He has a dual citizenship: Panamanian and Mexican.

   #2. Gabriel Giron (192-SG-88, currently plays in Mexico) led Lenadores to an easy victory against the sixth-ranked Correcaminos (0-12) 109-91 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) on Friday night. Giron scored 17 points and added 3 passes. Lenadores de Durango (8-5) is placed second in East group. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. This season Giron has relatively solid stats: 12.8ppg, 3.6rpg and 2.7apg. He is another player who holds two passports: Panamanian and Mexican.


Other top Panamanian players, who play abroad:

Trevor Gaskins (188-PG-89) plays for Quimsa in Argentinian La Liga
Anell Alexis (200-PF-90) plays for Schwelm in German ProB
Tony Bishop (201-F-89) plays for Pitesti in Romanian Liga Nationala
Ernesto Oglivie (203-PF-89) plays for Astros in Mexican LNBP
CJ Rodriguez (188-G-94) plays for Mineros in Mexican LNBP