John Holland selected the top Puerto Rican playing abroad in last week's games

Here is the weekly review of the top performing Puerto Rican players, who play currently abroad.

John Holland

   #1. This week's number one is an international swingman John Holland (195-88, college: Boston U., currently plays in Basketball Champions League). He led his Israeli team Hapoel Jerusalem to a victory over the fifth-ranked Anwil (5-6) 107-102 in the Basketball Champions League in Wednesday night's game. Holland was MVP of the game. He scored 25 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 36 minutes on the court. Hapoel Jerusalem (8-3) is placed first in the Basketball Champions League. There are only three games left until the end of the Basketball Champions League Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Holland has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 21.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.5apg, 2FGP: 85.7%, 3FGP: 57.1%(8-14) and FT: 85.7% in two games he played so far. Holland has a dual citizenship: Puerto Rican and American. He is currently a member of the Puerto Rican senior national team. Holland used to play for Caciques de Humacao in Puerto Rican league.

Javier Mojica

   #2. Second place goes to an experienced international shooting guard Javier Mojica (190-84, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: CCSU, currently plays in Mexico). He was the main contributor in a Fuerza Regia's victory against the fifth-ranked Dorados 94-75 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) last Sunday. Mojica was the best player in that game. He scored 24 points. Fuerza Regia Monterrey (24-12) is placed third in East group. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. Mojica has relatively good stats this season: 13.0ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.0apg, 2FGP: 56.1%(69-123), 3FGP: 49.3%(37-75) and FT: 89.3%. He is another player who holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. Mojica is in the roster of the Puerto Rican senior national team. He used to play for Fajardo in Puerto Rican league.

Wil Martinez

   #3. The Puerto Rican player who performed third best last week abroad was former U18 international shooting guard Wil Martinez (188-92, college: Fairmont St., currently plays in Panama). Martinez was the major contributor in Halcones' victory against the closely-ranked Caballos (4-1) 71-64 in the Panamanian LPB on Saturday night. He recorded 25 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 40 minutes. Universitarios de Panama (2-3) is placed second from the bottom (#5) in the LPB. The Regular Season already ended. Martinez has very impressive stats this year: 24.3ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.7spg, 3FGP: 28.1% and FT: 74.1% in three games. He has both American and Puerto Rican nationalities. Martinez played for the Puerto Rican U18 national team ten years ago. He used to play for San German in Puerto Rican league.

Isaac Sosa Carrion

   #4. Guard Isaac Sosa Carrion (191-90, college: Canisius, currently plays in Uruguay) could not help Defensor (7-8) in their last game. Despite Sosa Carrion's very good performance Defensor was badly defeated 95-78 in a derby game by the higher-ranked (#4) Aguada. He was the top scorer with 24 points. Sosa Carrion also added 5 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 35 minutes. It was Defensor's third consecutive loss in a row. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. Sosa Carrion has very impressive stats this year: 26.1ppg, 3.3rpg and 2.6apg in 11 games. He also holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. Sosa Carrion is also Puerto Rican national team player. He used to play for Mayaguez in Puerto Rican league.

David Huertas

   #5. International swingman David Huertas (195-87, college: Ole Miss, currently plays in Mexico) is a teammate of previously mentioned Javier Mojica. But that was another game of his team in Mexican LNBP which we would like to mention. Huertas contributed to a Fuerza Regia's victory against the fifth-ranked Dorados 77-70. He was the top player that evening. Huertas recorded 19 points in 27 minutes. Fuerza Regia Monterrey (24-12) is placed third in East group. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. It's Huertas' first season with the team. He has very impressive stats this year: 16.1ppg, 2.9rpg and 1.9apg in 40 games. Huertas plays currently for the Puerto Rican national team.

Angel Matias

   #6. Forward Angel Matias (193-92, college: Georgia South, currently plays in Panama) helped Caballos win their game against the league outsider Toros (0-5) crushing them 94-53 in the Panamanian LPB last Wednesday. He recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 14 rebounds. Matias also added 5 assists and 3 steals. Caballos de Cocle Aguadulce (4-1) is placed second in the LPB. The Regular Season already ended. This season Matias has very high stats. He averages: 15.5ppg, 11.0rpg, 4.5apg and 2.0spg. Matias holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. He is a former international player as he played for the Puerto Rican senior team two years ago. Matias used to play for Humacao in Puerto Rican league.

Gary Browne

   #7. International guard Gary Browne (185-93, college: WVU, currently plays in Turkey) helped Darussafaka win their game against one of league's weakest teams Buyukcekmece (3-13) crushing them 105-56 in the Turkish BSL on Sunday night. He recorded 12 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in a mere 19 minutes. Darussafaka Istanbul (3-7) is placed sixth in the BSL. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. This year Browne's overall stats are: 7.7ppg, 2.1rpg and 3.1apg in 15 games. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Browne is also Puerto Rican national team player. He used to play for Coamo in Puerto Rican league.

Shabazz Napier

   #8. Point guard Shabazz Napier (185-91, college: UConn, currently plays in NBA) was not able to help the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-26) in their last game on Monday. Despite Napier's very good performance the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-26) were defeated 117-104 on the road by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He recorded 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. This season Napier has relatively solid stats: 9.5ppg, 2.5rpg and 4.5apg. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Napier used to play for the Puerto Rican national team back in 2016. Strangely he has never played in Puerto Rico.

Emmanuel Andujar

   #9. International forward Emmanuel Andujar (198-93, college: Manhattan, currently plays in Mexico) was not able to secure a victory for Capitanes (25-11) in their last game. Despite Andujar's very good performance the second-placed Capitanes (25-11) lost 91-98 in Michoacan to the lower-ranked (#3) Aaguacateros in the West group. He scored 15 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 9 assists in 40 minutes. Andujar has reliable stats this year: 11.0ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.6apg and 1.4spg in 37 games. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Andujar is also in the roster of the Puerto Rican national team. He used to play for Humacao in Puerto Rican league.

Gian Clavell

   #10. Guard Gian Clavell (193-93, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Turkey) couldn't help Bursaspor (5-13) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Clavell's very good performance Bursaspor was crushed 109-59 in a derby game by the higher-ranked Tofas (#5). He was the second best scorer with 15 points. Clavell also added 4 rebounds. This season Clavell has very high stats. He averages: 17.6ppg, 3.0rpg and 2.0spg. Clavell is an international player who is currently on the senior Puerto Rican National Team roster.

   #11. Former international point guard Alexander Abreu (180-91, college: W.Georgia, currently plays in Mexico) helped Panteras win their game against the leader Soles 98-93 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) last Sunday. He recorded a double-double by scoring 10 points and making the same number of passes. Abreu also added 5 rebounds. Abreu's total stats this season are: 9.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 5.9apg and 1.2spg. He used to play for the Puerto Rican national team three years ago.

   #12. Former international point guard Jose Juan Barea (183-84, college: Northeastern, currently plays in NBA) helped Dallas Mavericks win their game against the Golden State Warriors crushing them 124-97 in the NBA in Tuesday night's game. He scored 11 points. Barea averaged so far 9.2ppg, 1.8rpg and 3.3apg. He used to play for the Puerto Rican national team back in 2018.

   #13. Former international swingman Maurice Harkless (203-93, college: St.John's, currently plays in NBA) helped Los Angeles Clippers win their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers crushing them 128-103 in the NBA last Tuesday. Harkless scored 6 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 27 minutes. This year Harkless' total stats are: 5.5ppg and 4.0rpg in 42 games. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Harkless used to play for the Puerto Rican national team four years ago. Apparently he has never played in Puerto Rico.

   #14. Former U18 international shooting guard Ethan Thompson (197-99, currently plays college basketball in the States) helped Oregon St. win their game against the University of Arizona 82-65 in the NCAA on Sunday night. Thompson scored 18 points and added 8 passes. This season Thompson has very high stats. He averages: 16.2ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.8apg and 1.4spg. Thompson holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. He used to play for the Puerto Rican U18 national team back in 2016. Interesting that Thompson has never played in Puerto Rico.

   #15. Former international forward Christopher Ortiz (203-93, agency: Network Sports International, college: Kent St., currently plays in Denmark) helped Bakken win their game against the second-ranked Vaerlose 85-71 in the Danish BasketLigaen in Friday night's game. He scored 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 17 minutes. Ortiz's stats this year are: 10.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.5apg and 1.2spg in 13 games. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Ortiz used to play for the Puerto Rican national team three years ago. He played also for Santurce in Puerto Rican league.


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

   #1. Kyle Vinales (186-G-92, agency: 011 Sports, college: CCSU, currently plays in Estonia) could not help Kalev/Cramo in their last game on Tuesday. Despite Vinales' very good performance the league leader Kalev/Cramo was badly defeated 95-77 at home by the lower-ranked Ventspils (#4). He was the top scorer with 27 points. Vinales also added 3 assists (was perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line). Vinales has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 15.2ppg, 3.0rpg and 4.1apg. Vinales has a dual citizenship: Puerto Rican and American. He used to play for Bayamon in Puerto Rican league.

   #2. Experienced Johwen Villegas (194-F-85, college: FIU, currently plays in Uruguay) led Olimpia to a 1-point victory over the fifth-ranked Nacional (10-7) 75-74 in a derby game in the Uruguayan LUB on Thursday night. Villegas was the top player that evening. He scored 23 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Club Atletico Olimpia Montevideo (13-4) is placed first in the LUB. It was his team's sixth consecutive victory in a row. They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. It's Villegas' first season with the team. This year Villegas has very high stats. He averages: 17.9ppg, 3.8rpg and 1.9apg.

   #3. Melsahn Basabe (201-PF-92, college: Iowa, currently plays in Slovakia) was not able to help Lucenec (13-8) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Lucenec lost 80-87 on their home court in Lucenec to the lower-ranked (#7) Handlova. Basabe was the top scorer with 25 points. He also added 4 rebounds and 2 blocks in 35 minutes. Basabe's stats this year are: 14.8ppg, 7.8rpg and 1.1apg in 21 games he played so far. He is another player who holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. Despite Basabe's Puerto Rican nationality, he previously played for the USA U19 national team and is probably not eligible to play for the Puerto Rican team. Basabe used to play for Humacao Caciques in Puerto Rican league.

   #4. Jhivvan Jackson (183-PG, currently plays college basketball in the States), who plays in the NCAA was not able to secure a victory for the UTSA (2-2) in their last game. Despite Jackson's very good performance his team was edged 80-77 on their home court in San Antonio by the The University of Texas at El Paso. He had a double-double by scoring 29 points and getting 13 rebounds in 42 minutes. Jackson has very impressive stats this year: 26.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 2.7apg and 1.4spg in 18 games.

   #5. Alfonso Plummer (185-PG, currently studies in the States) couldn't help the Utah (1-1) in their game against the University of Arizona (1-1) in the NCAA. Plummer recorded 9 points. Buthis team was badly defeated 93-77 on their home court in Salt Lake City by the University of Arizona. Plummer has averaged so far 6.0ppg and 1.1rpg.

   #6. Kevin Maura (173-PG-95, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: UMBC, currently plays in Portugal) couldn't help the league outsider Terceira (0-16) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his very good performance the bottom-ranked Terceira was crushed 100-74 on their home court in Angra Heroismo by the higher-ranked CAB Madeira (#9). Maura recorded 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Maura averaged so far 14.0ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.4apg and 1.6spg.

   #7. Matthew Lee (183-PG, is currently at the American university), who plays in the NCAA couldn't help the the league outsider St.Peter's (2-1) in their last game. Despite his good performance his team lost 51-61 on their home court in Jersey City to the Fairfield University. Lee scored 10 points, made 3 passes and 5 steals in 21 minutes. Lee has averaged so far 5.6ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.9apg and 1.3spg in 14 games.

   #8. Josh Colon (178-PG, currently plays college basketball in the States) couldn't help the the league outsider Fordham in their game against the St. Bonaventure University in the NCAA. He scored 8 points in 28 minutes. His team was badly defeated by 20 points 64-44. Colon has averaged so far 4.5ppg, 1.6rpg and 2.1apg in 15 games.

   #9. Ahmed Gustave (185-G, currently plays in NAIA) contributed to a 3-point St. Andrews University's victory against the Tennessee Wesleyan College 89-86 in the AAC last Saturday. He scored 7 points in 21 minutes. Gustave has averaged so far 0.5ppg and 1.5rpg in two games.

   #10. Jojo Walker (185-G-97, currently plays college basketball in the States) couldn't help the the league outsider Portland in their game against the Brigham Young University in the NCAA. He scored 5 points. His team was crushed by 26 points 96-70. Walker averaged so far 10.4ppg, 3.1rpg and 2.7apg.