Shabazz Napier selected the top Puerto Rican playing abroad in last week's games

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.

Shabazz Napier

   #1. This week's number one is former international point guard Shabazz Napier (185-91, college: UConn, currently plays in NBA). He could not help the Washington Wizards (24-40) in their last game. Despite Napier's very good performance the Washington Wizards (24-40) lost 89-100 on the road to the Miami Heat. He was the top scorer with 27 points. Napier also added 4 boards, passed 7 assists and added 4 steals in 40 minutes on the court. Napier has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 12.0ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.4apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 47.8%, 3FGP: 38.1% and FT: 83.0% in 15 games he played so far. Napier has a dual citizenship: Puerto Rican and American. He played for the Puerto Rican senior national team four years ago. Strangely Napier has never played in Puerto Rico.

Isaac Sosa Carrion

   #2. Second place goes to an international guard Isaac Sosa Carrion (191-90, college: Canisius, currently plays in Uruguay). Sosa Carrion was not able to help Defensor (1-3) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the fourth-placed Defensor (1-3) lost 77-86 in a derby game to the second-ranked Nacional in the Places 1-6 group. Sosa Carrion was the top scorer with 27 points. He also added 3 assists in 35 minutes. Sosa Carrion's team will play only one more game in the Second Stage. And that game will be critical. Sosa Carrion has very impressive stats this year: 22.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.7apg, 2FGP: 55.4%(92-166), 3FGP: 49.7%(79-159) and FT: 92.0%(80-87) in 22 games. He is another player who holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. Sosa Carrion is in the roster of the Puerto Rican senior national team. He used to play for Mayaguez in Puerto Rican league.

Maurice Harkless

   #3. The Puerto Rican player who performed third best last week abroad was former international swingman Maurice Harkless (203-93, college: St.John's, currently plays in NBA). He led New York Knicks to a victory against the Atlanta Hawks (20-47) 136-131 in the NBA last Wednesday. Harkless scored 14 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and dished 6 assists in 41 minutes. The New York Knicks have rather weak 21-45 record this season. This year Harkless' overall stats are: 6.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.7apg, 2FGP: 56.1%(23-41), 3FGP: 28.0% and FT: 62.5% in 12 games. He has both American and Puerto Rican nationalities. Harkless played for the Puerto Rican national team four years ago. Apparently he has never played in Puerto Rico.

Gian Clavell

   #4. Guard Gian Clavell (193-93, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Turkey) contributed to an easy victory against one of league's weakest teams Buyukcekmece (3-19) 95-77 in the Turkish BSL on Saturday night. Clavell recorded 19 points and grabbed 4 rebounds; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his third season in pro basketball. Bursaspor Durmazlar (5-13) is placed sixth in the BSL. They ended the series of five consecutive loses. It's Clavell's first year with the team. This season Clavell has very high stats. He averages: 19.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.4apg and 1.6spg. Clavell is also Puerto Rican national team player.

Christopher Ortiz

   #5. Former international forward Christopher Ortiz (203-93, agency: Network Sports International, college: Kent St., currently plays in Denmark) contributed to an easy victory against the leader Amager (16-2) crushing them 113-91 in the Danish BasketLigaen in Saturday night's game. He recorded 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals in 30 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group Pro A. Bakken Bears (19-3) is placed first. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. It's Ortiz's first season with the team. Ortiz has relatively good stats this year: 11.2ppg, 4.9rpg, 2.2apg and 1.4spg in 18 games. He also holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. Ortiz used to play for the Puerto Rican national team three years ago. He played also for Santurce in Puerto Rican league.

John Holland

   #6. Swingman John Holland (195-88, college: Boston U., currently plays in Basketball Champions League) contributed to a Hapoel Jerusalem's victory against the fourth-ranked Peristeri GS (8-6) 79-73 in the Basketball Champions League last Wednesday. Holland scored 6 points. Hapoel Jerusalem (11-3) is placed first in group B. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. This season Holland has relatively solid stats: 13.0ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.9apg and 1.1spg. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Holland is an international player who is currently on the senior Puerto Rican National Team roster. He used to play for Caciques de Humacao in Puerto Rican league.

Eric Ayala

   #7. Former U16 international guard Eric Ayala (196-99, currently plays college basketball in the States) helped Maryland win their game against the University of Michigan (10-10) 83-70 in the NCAA last Sunday. Ayala scored 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 34 minutes. The University of Maryland has a very good - conference record this season. This year Ayala's total stats are: 8.4ppg, 2.9rpg and 2.5apg in 31 games. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Ayala used to play for the Puerto Rican U16 national team five years ago. Interesting that he has never played in Puerto Rico.

Ethan Thompson

   #8. Shooting guard Ethan Thompson (197-99, currently studies in the States) helped Oregon St. edge the University of Utah (7-11) 71-69 in the NCAA on Wednesday night. Thompson recorded 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The Oregon State University has 7-11 conference record this season. The Regular Season already ended in the NCAA. Thompson has reliable stats this year: 14.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.5apg and 1.3spg. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Thompson used to play for the Puerto Rican U18 national team back in 2016. However he has never played in Puerto Rico.

Jesus Cruz

   #9. Former U19 international guard Jesus Cruz (196-98, is currently at the American university) helped Fairfield win their game against the Manhattan College (8-12) 66-50 in the NCAA in Friday night's game. Cruz scored 21 points and added 3 passes in 28 minutes. The Fairfield University has 8-12 conference record this season. The Regular Season already ended in the NCAA. Cruz's stats this year are: 11.0ppg, 3.6rpg and 1.5apg in 32 games. He used to play for the Puerto Rican U19 national team three years ago.

J.J Barea

   #10. An experienced point guard J.J Barea (183-84, college: Northeastern, currently plays in NBA) managed to help Dallas Mavericks to win against the Memphis Grizzlies (32-33) crushing them 121-96 in the NBA last Friday. Barea scored only 3 points and added 3 assists. The Dallas Mavericks have 40-27 record this season. Barea is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his sixth year in Mavericks' roster. His stats this season are: 7.5ppg, 1.8rpg and 3.8apg. Barea is a former international player as two years ago he still played for the Puerto Rican senior national team.

   #11. Former U17 international guard Antonio Ralat (188, currently plays college basketball in the States) helped UAB win their game against the The University of Texas San Antonio 74-69 in the NCAA on Wednesday night. He recorded 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and made 2 blocks in 23 minutes. Ralat has averaged so far 3.2ppg and 1.5rpg in 31 games. He used to play for the Puerto Rican U17 national team seven years ago.

   #12. Former U18 international forward Christian Negron (201-98, currently plays in NCAA2) was not able to secure a victory for the Grand Valley State University (15-5) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Negron's very good performance the Grand Valley State University was badly defeated 69-53 in Houghton by the Michigan Technological University. He scored 18 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and made 2 blocks. Negron averaged so far 11.1ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.1apg and 2.5bpg. He used to play for the Puerto Rican U18 national team back in 2016.

   #13. Former U18 international center George Conditt IV (208-0, currently plays college basketball in the States) couldn't help the one of league's weakest teams Iowa St. in their game against the Oklahoma State University in the NCAA. Conditt IV recorded 8 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 15 minutes. His team was edged 72-71. He has averaged so far 7.0ppg, 4.9rpg and 1.6bpg in 32 games. Conditt IV used to play for the Puerto Rican U18 national team two years ago.

   #14. Former U16 international point guard Jose Morales (175, currently plays college basketball in the States) helped Princeton win their game against the Columbia University crushing them 81-58 in the NCAA on Friday night. He scored 10 points and blocked 2 shots. Morales has averaged so far 3.8ppg and 1.7apg. He used to play for the Puerto Rican U16 national team back in 2014.

   #15. Former U19 international forward Nicholas Guadarrama (196-99, currently plays college basketball in the States) couldn't help the UNH in their game against the University of Maryland - Baltimore County in the NCAA. He recorded 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. His team was defeated 73-67. Guadarrama averaged so far 12.9ppg, 7.1rpg and 2.4apg. 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 VTB United League) led his Estonian team Kalev/Cramo to a victory over the closely-ranked Astana (7-11) 83-78 in the VTB United League last Sunday. He was MVP of the game. Vinales scored 26 points (!!!), grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 9 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn (8-12) is placed eighth in the VTB United League. There are only four games left until the end of the VTB United League Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Vinales has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 17.7ppg, 3.0rpg and 4.6apg. Vinales has a dual citizenship: Puerto Rican and American. He used to play for Bayamon in Puerto Rican league.

   #2. Alfonso Plummer (185-PG, currently plays college basketball in the States), who plays in the NCAA could not help the one of league's weakest teams Utah (7-11) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Plummer's very good performance the Utah was edged 71-69 at home by the Oregon State University. He recorded 35 points (!!!). The Regular Season already ended in the NCAA. It's Plummer's first season with the team. Plummer's overall stats this year are: 8.8ppg and 1.1rpg.

   #3. Jhivvan Jackson (183-PG, currently studies in the States), who plays in the NCAA was not able to help the UTSA (7-11) in their last game. Despite Jackson's very good performance the UTSA lost 77-82 on the road to the Marshall University. He had a double-double by scoring 37 points and getting 11 rebounds. Jackson also added 3 assists in 37 minutes. The Regular Season already ended in the NCAA. Jackson has very impressive stats this year: 26.8ppg, 5.6rpg, 2.4apg and 1.4spg in 32 games he played so far.

   #4. Experienced TreVon Hughes (185-PG-87, college: Wisconsin, currently plays in Israel) was the main contributor in Hasharon's victory against the 12th-ranked Ironi Ashkelon (8-14) 102-99 in the Israeli National League (second division) in Thursday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Hughes recorded 33 points (!!!), 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Maccabi Hod Hasharon (12-10) is placed sixth in the National League. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. This season Hughes has very high stats. He averages: 22.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 5.6apg and 2.8spg. Hughes is another player who holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. Interesting that he has never played in Puerto Rico.

   #5. Melsahn Basabe (201-PF-92, college: Iowa, currently plays in Slovakia) was not able to secure a victory for Zilina (14-13) in their game against Levice (17-11) in the Slovakian SBL. Basabe recorded 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 22 minutes. Zilina was edged 74-73 on their home court in Zilina by the second-ranked Levice. It was Zilina's third consecutive loss in a row. The Regular Season already ended. Basabe averaged so far 13.8ppg, 10.2rpg and 1.8apg in five games. He has both American and Puerto Rican nationalities. Despite Basabe's Puerto Rican passport, 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.

   #6. Josh Colon (178-PG, is currently at the American university) couldn't help the Fordham in their game against the George Mason University in the NCAA. He recorded 8 points. His team was defeated 65-61. Colon has averaged so far 6.0ppg, 2.0rpg and 2.2apg.

   #7. Emanuel Ubilla (188-PG-86, college: Fair Dickinson, currently plays in France) couldn't help Poitiers in their game against Aix-Maurienne in the French ProB (second division). He scored 7 points in 24 minutes. His team lost 74-86. Ubilla has averaged so far 7.4ppg, 1.4rpg and 4.5apg in eight 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 plays college basketball in the States) contributed to a 3-point St.Peter's' victory against the Iona College 68-65 in the NCAA on Friday night. Lee scored 6 points and had 4 steals. Lee has averaged so far 5.5ppg, 1.4rpg and 2.1apg.