Felix Rivera-Vega's double-double lands him Player of the Week award among Puerto Ricans playing currently abroad:

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

Felix Rivera-Vega

   #1. This week's number one is former U18 international forward Felix Rivera-Vega (201-97, college: Georgetown, KY, currently plays in Nicaragua). He led Indigenas to a victory over the league outsider Chinandega (1-5) 98-81 in the Nicaraguan LSB last Tuesday. Rivera-Vega was MVP of the game. He recorded a double-double by scoring 29 points and getting 16 rebounds. Rivera-Vega also added and 3 steals; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his third season in pro basketball. Indigenas de Matagalpa (17-2) is placed second in the LSB. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. It's Rivera-Vega's first year with the team. Rivera-Vega has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 18.5ppg, 13.5rpg, 2.0spg, 2FGP: 43.6% and FT: 27.3%. Rivera-Vega played for the Puerto Rican U18 national team six years ago.

Jezreel De Jesus

   #2. Second place goes to former international guard Jezreel De Jesus (185-91, agency: Interperformances, currently plays in Nicaragua). He was the main contributor in a Real Esteli's victory against the closely-ranked Leones (2-3) crushing them 100-63 in the Nicaraguan LSB on Saturday night. De Jesus was the best player in that game. He recorded 17 points and added 5 passes in 25 minutes. Real Esteli (5-1) is placed second in the LSB. 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. It's De Jesus' first season with the team. De Jesus has very impressive stats this year: 20.6ppg, 2.4rpg, 5.6apg, 2.4spg, 3FGP: 48.0%(12-25) and FT: 82.6% in five games he played so far. He played for the Puerto Rican national team in 2015.

Xavier Zambrana

   #3. The Puerto Rican player who performed third best last week abroad was former U19 international power forward Xavier Zambrana (193-91, currently plays in Nicaragua) faced previously mentioned Jezreel De Jesus in the Nicaraguan LSB last game. Zambrana. He could not help Leones (2-3) in their last game. Despite Zambrana's very good performance Leones was crushed 100-63 on the road by the second-ranked Real Esteli. He was the top scorer with 18 points. Zambrana also added 4 passes in 30 minutes. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. Zambrana has very impressive stats this year: 16.4ppg, 11.2rpg, 3.0apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 47.2%, 3FGP: 41.2% and FT: 73.9% in five games. Former Cariduros de Fajardo starter played for the Puerto Rican U19 national team eleven years ago.

Christopher Gaston

   #4. Power forward Christopher Gaston (201-89, college: Fordham, currently plays in Nicaragua) is a teammate of previously mentioned Xavier Zambrana. But that was another game of his team in Nicaraguan LSB which we would like to mention. Gaston was not able to help Leones in their game against Costa Caribe (5-2). He scored 7 points. It was his first game for Leones this season. Leones was defeated 66-58 in a derby game by the higher-ranked Costa Caribe (#3). Gaston has a dual citizenship: Puerto Rican and American. He used to play for the Puerto Rican national team back in 2018. Gaston played also for Ponce 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. Jared Ruiz (188-G-92, currently plays in Nicaragua) could not help one of league's weakest teams Real Esteli (5-1) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Real Esteli was edged 88-87 at home by the leading Leon. Ruiz was the top scorer with 31 points. He also added 4 boards, dished 4 assists and stole 3 balls in 37 minutes. It was Real Esteli's first loss after five consecutive victories. Ruiz's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. It's Ruiz's first season with the team. He has individually a very good year with high stats. Ruiz averages: 22.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.2apg and 1.7spg in six games he played so far.

   #2. Evander Ortiz (178-G-97, college: PR-Bayamon, currently plays in Nicaragua) led Jinotega to a victory against the league outsider Chinandega (1-5) 82-69 in the Nicaraguan LSB in Thursday night's game. Ortiz scored 17 points, had 4 boards, dished 6 assists and stole 6 balls; not bad, considering it's only his second season in pro basketball. Jinotega (17-2) is placed third in the LSB. Ortiz's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. Ortiz has relatively good stats this season: 13.0ppg, 3.5rpg, 6.0apg and 5.0spg.

   #3. Experienced Jose Guitian (207-F-87, college: Lasell, currently plays in Nicaragua) is a teammate of previously mentioned Jared Ruiz and both played together in the last Nicaraguan LSB game. Guitian was not able to help one of league's weakest teams Real Esteli in their game against Leon (5-1). He scored 7 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 4 assists. Real Esteli was edged 88-87 on their home court in Esteli by the leading Leon. Guitian's overall stats this season are: 6.0ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.2apg and 1.2spg. He has a dual citizenship: Puerto Rican and American. Guitian used to play for Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rican league.

   #4. Jorge Matos (185-G-92, currently plays in Nicaragua) was not able to secure a victory for Leones (2-3) in their last game. Despite his good performance Leones was crushed 100-63 on the road by the second-ranked Real Esteli. Matos was the second best scorer with 11 points. He also added 4 rebounds in 28 minutes. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. Matos has very impressive stats this year: 17.6ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.4apg and 1.8spg in five games.

   #5. Lee Vazquez (173-PG-91, college: Westfield St., currently plays in Nicaragua) faced previously mentioned Evander Ortiz in the Nicaraguan LSB last game. Vazquez couldn't help Chinandega (1-5) in their game against Jinotega (2-3), despite his very good performance on Thursday night. He was the top scorer with 33 points. Vazquez also added 4 passes in 40 minutes. But the bottom-ranked Chinandega lost 69-82 on the opponent's court to the higher-ranked (#6) Jinotega. It was Chinandega's fourth consecutive loss in a row. The Regular Season already ended. Vazquez has very impressive stats this year: 24.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.8apg and 4.2spg in six games.