Javier Mojica's double-double lands him Player of the Week award among Puerto Ricans playing currently abroad:

We bring you last week's top performances from Puerto Ricans who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.

Javier Mojica

   #1. This week's number one is an experienced international shooting guard Javier Mojica (190-84, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: CCSU, currently plays in Mexico). He led Fuerza Regia to a victory over the leader Mineros (28-8) 82-72 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) in Wednesday night's game. Mojica was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 20 points and making 10 passes. Mojica also added 4 rebounds in 33 minutes on the court. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group East. Fuerza Regia Monterrey (24-12) is placed third. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. Mojica has relatively good stats this year: 13.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.1apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 52.2%, 3FGP: 49.0%(48-98) and FT: 92.5%(37-40) in 26 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Puerto Rican and American. Mojica is currently a member of the Puerto Rican senior national team. He used to play for Fajardo in Puerto Rican league.

Wil Martinez

   #2. Second place goes to former U18 international shooting guard Wil Martinez (188-92, college: Fairmont St., currently plays in Panama). Martinez was the main contributor in Halcones' victory against the closely-ranked Panteras (5-4) 84-80 in a derby game in the Panamanian LPB last Sunday. He was the best player in that game. Martinez scored 28 points (!!!) and grabbed 6 rebounds. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Universitarios de Panama (5-4) is placed third in the LPB. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Martinez has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 27.9ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 50.7%, 3FGP: 34.5% and FT: 82.5%. Martinez is another player who holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. He played for the Puerto Rican U18 national team in 2010. Martinez used to play for San German in Puerto Rican league.

Gary Browne

   #3. The Puerto Rican player who performed third best last week abroad was an international guard Gary Browne (185-93, college: WVU, currently plays in Turkey). He contributed to Darussafaka's victory against the tenth-ranked Bursaspor (7-10) 87-79 in the Turkish BSL on Saturday night. Browne was the top player that evening. He scored 14 points and added 8 assists in 23 minutes. Darussafaka Istanbul (10-7) is placed sixth in the BSL. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. This year Browne's overall stats are: 8.1ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.4apg, 2FGP: 48.1%, 3FGP: 36.5% and FT: 76.9% in 16 games. He has both American and Puerto Rican nationalities. Browne is also a member of the Puerto Rican senior national team. He used to play for Coamo in Puerto Rican league.

Angel Matias

   #4. Forward Angel Matias (193-92, college: Georgia South, currently plays in Panama) contributed to Caballos' victory against the closely-ranked Halcones (5-4) 85-79 in the Panamanian LPB in Tuesday night's game. Matias was the top player that evening. He scored 24 points, had 5 boards, passed 4 assists and added 3 steals. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Caballos de Cocle Aguadulce (8-1) is placed first in the LPB. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. This season Matias has very high stats. He averages: 18.3ppg, 7.7rpg, 3.9apg and 1.9spg. Matias also holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. He used to play for the Puerto Rican national team back in 2018. Matias played also for Humacao 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 and both played together in the last Mexican LNBP game. Huertas was the major contributor in a Fuerza Regia's victory against the leader Mineros (28-8) 82-72. He scored 17 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 5 assists in 31 minutes. Huertas has very impressive stats this year: 15.8ppg, 3.1rpg and 2.1apg in 45 games. He plays currently for the Puerto Rican national team.

Shabazz Napier

   #6. Point guard Shabazz Napier (185-91, college: UConn, currently plays in NBA) could not help the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-32) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Napier's good performance the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-32) were defeated 113-104 on the road by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He recorded a triple-double by scoring 10 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and passing 13 assists. It's Napier's first season with the team. This year Napier has relatively solid stats: 9.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 5.0apg and 1.1spg. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Napier is a former international player as he played for the Puerto Rican senior team four years ago. Strangely he has never played in Puerto Rico.

Gian Clavell

   #7. International guard Gian Clavell (193-93, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Turkey) faced previously mentioned Gary Browne in the Turkish BSL last game. Clavell was not able to help Bursaspor (5-13) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Bursaspor lost 79-87 at home to the lower-ranked (#6) Darussafaka. Clavell was the top scorer with 21 points. He also added 4 rebounds in 37 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Clavell's third season in pro basketball. It was Bursaspor's fifth consecutive loss in a row. Clavell has very impressive stats this year: 18.2ppg, 3.2rpg and 2.2spg in six games. He is also Puerto Rican national team player.

Isaac Sosa Carrion

   #8. Guard Isaac Sosa Carrion (191-90, college: Canisius, currently plays in Uruguay) was not able to secure a victory for Defensor (8-11) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Defensor was edged 89-88 in a derby game by the higher-ranked (#6) Hebraica. Sosa Carrion was the second best scorer with 19 points. He also added 4 passes in 32 minutes. It was Defensor's sixth consecutive loss in a row. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important. Sosa Carrion has very impressive stats this year: 24.1ppg, 3.1rpg and 3.0apg in 15 games. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Sosa Carrion plays currently for the Puerto Rican national team. He used to play for Mayaguez in Puerto Rican league.

Jose Juan Barea

   #9. Former international point guard Jose Juan Barea (183-84, college: Northeastern, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the Dallas Mavericks (29-19) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite Barea's very good performance the Dallas Mavericks (29-19) were crushed 133-104 in Phoenix by the Suns. He was the second best scorer with 15 points. Barea also added 7 assists. Barea is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his sixth year in Mavericks' roster. He has reliable stats this season: 9.3ppg, 2.1rpg and 3.8apg. Barea used to play for the Puerto Rican national team two years ago.

Christopher Ortiz

   #10. Forward Christopher Ortiz (203-93, agency: Network Sports International, college: Kent St., currently plays in Denmark) couldn't help Bakken (14-3) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Ortiz's very good performance the third-placed Bakken (14-3) was defeated 96-84 on the opponent's court by the leading Randers in the Pro A group. He was the top scorer with 16 points. Ortiz also added 8 rebounds. Ortiz's stats this season are: 10.5ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.4apg and 1.3spg. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Ortiz is a former international player as three years ago he still played for the Puerto Rican senior national team. He used to play for Santurce in Puerto Rican league.

   #11. International swingman John Holland (195-88, college: Boston U., currently plays in Israel) couldn't help Hapoel Jerusalem in their game against Hapoel Tel-Aviv in the Israeli Winner League. Holland cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 31 minutes. His team lost 80-91. This year Holland's total stats are: 6.0ppg, 4.6rpg and 1.6spg in five games. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Holland plays currently for the Puerto Rican national team. He used to play for Caciques de Humacao in Puerto Rican league.

   #12. Former international forward Luis Hernandez (206-88, currently plays in Uruguay) is a teammate of previously mentioned Isaac Sosa Carrion and both played together in the last Uruguayan LUB game. Hernandez couldn't help Defensor (8-11) in their last game on Monday. Despite his good performance Defensor was edged 89-88 in a derby game by the higher-ranked Hebraica (#6). Hernandez recorded 10 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. Hernandez has averaged so far 8.8ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.3apg and 2.3bpg. 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) contributed to an easy victory against the Orlando Magic 112-97 in the NBA last Sunday. Harkless scored 8 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 31 minutes. Harkless has averaged so far 5.4ppg and 4.0rpg in 47 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. International guard Ivan Gandia-Rosa (185-97, currently plays college basketball in the States) couldn't help the N.Florida in their game against the Lipscomb University in the NCAA, despite his very good performance in Saturday night's game. Gandia-Rosa recorded 30 points (!!!), 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals in 36 minutes. But his team lost 73-85. Gandia-Rosa's stats this year are: 14.7ppg, 3.2rpg, 5.6apg and 1.1spg in 23 games. He plays currently for the Puerto Rican national team.

   #15. Former U19 international guard Jesus Cruz (196-98, currently studies in the States) contributed to Fairfield's victory against the Canisius College 63-55 in the NCAA on Sunday night. Cruz scored 21 points and grabbed 7 rebounds (was perfect 13-for-13 from the free throw line !!!) in 26 minutes. Cruz averaged so far 12.0ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.7apg and 1.1spg in 19 games. He used to play for the Puerto Rican U19 national team three years ago.


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) led Kalev/Cramo to a victory over one of league's weakest teams Liepaja (4-16) crushing them 100-70 in the Estonian EstLatBL last Tuesday. Vinales was the top player that evening. He recorded 16 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinnis placed first in the EstLatBL. Vinales has reliable stats this season: 14.7ppg, 2.8rpg and 4.1apg. He has a dual citizenship: Puerto Rican and American. Vinales used to play for Bayamon in Puerto Rican league.

   #2. Experienced Johwen Villegas (194-F-85, college: FIU, currently plays in Uruguay) was the main contributor in Olimpia's victory against the ninth-ranked Bigua (9-10) 78-73 in a derby game in the Uruguayan LUB last Monday. He was the top player that evening. Villegas recorded 19 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 27 minutes. Club Atletico Olimpia Montevideo (15-4) is placed first in the LUB. It was his team's eighth consecutive victory in a row. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Villegas has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 18.3ppg, 4.1rpg and 2.0apg in 19 games he played so far.

   #3. Melsahn Basabe (201-PF-92, college: Iowa, currently plays in Slovakia) was the major contributor in Zilina's victory against the closely-ranked Handlova (8-15) 93-87 in the Slovakian SBL on Wednesday night. Basabe had a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 13 rebounds in 41 minutes. BK Slavia Zilina (13-10) is placed fifth in the SBL. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. Basabe has very impressive stats this year: 17.0ppg, 13.0rpg and 1.5apg in two games. 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. TreVon Hughes (185-PG-87, college: Wisconsin, currently plays in Israel) contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked H.Galilee (8-7) 92-75 in the Israeli National League (second division) in Tuesday night's game. He was the top player that evening. Hughes scored 28 points (!!!) and added 8 assists. Maccabi Hod Hasharon (7-8) is placed eighth in the National League. It was his team's first victory after five consecutive loses. This season Hughes has very high stats. He averages: 19.1ppg, 4.5rpg, 5.6apg and 2.8spg. Hughes has both American and Puerto Rican nationalities. Apparently he has never played in Puerto Rico.

   #5. Jhivvan Jackson (183-PG, currently plays college basketball in the States) contributed to a 2-point UTSA's victory against the Rice University (1-7) 90-88 in the NCAA on Saturday night. Jackson recorded 25 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The The University of Texas San Antonio has 3-4 conference record this season. This year Jackson has very high stats. He averages: 26.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 2.8apg and 1.4spg.

   #6. Kevin Maura (173-PG-95, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: UMBC, currently plays in Portugal) could not help the league outsider Terceira (0-17) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Maura's very good performance the bottom-ranked Terceira was edged 96-94 on the road by the much higher-ranked Galitos-Barreiro (#6). He was the top scorer with 27 points. Maura also added 6 rebounds and dished 9 assists. This season Maura has very high stats. He averages: 16.2ppg, 4.0rpg, 5.2apg and 1.7spg.

   #7. Emanuel Ubilla (188-PG-86, college: Fair Dickinson, currently plays in France) was not able to help Poitiers (2-15) in their last game. Despite Ubilla's very good performance the bottom-ranked Poitiers lost 79-84 at home to the higher-ranked (#15) Provence Basket. He was the second best scorer with 19 points. Ubilla also added 6 passes in 23 minutes. Ubilla averaged so far 11.3ppg, 1.7rpg and 7.0apg in three games. He also holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. Ubilla used to play for Atleticos de San German in Puerto Rican league.

   #8. Matthew Lee (183-PG, currently studies in the States) contributed to St.Peter's' victory against the Niagara University 58-53 in the NCAA on Sunday night. He scored 13 points and added 5 passes. Lee has averaged so far 6.2ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.0apg and 1.2spg.

   #9. Miguel Arnold (180-PG, currently plays in NCAA2) contributed to an Augusta University's victory against the University of South Carolina - Aiken 79-71 in the NCAA2 on Wednesday night. He scored 16 points in 35 minutes. Arnold averaged so far 11.6ppg, 1.9rpg and 1.5apg in 18 games.

   #10. Jojo Walker (185-G-97, is currently at the American university), who plays in the NCAA was not able to secure a victory for the Portland (1-5) in their last game. Despite his good performance his team lost 69-80 on their home court in Portland to the Pepperdine University. Walker recorded 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 25 minutes. Walker averaged so far 10.8ppg, 3.2rpg and 2.4apg in 20 games.