Isaiah Pineiro 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.

Isaiah Pineiro

   #1. This week's number one is an international small forward Isaiah Pineiro (200-95, college: San Diego, currently plays in Basketball Champions League). Pineiro could not help the league outsider VEF Riga (0-6) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite his very good performance the fourth-placed VEF Riga (0-6) was defeated 64-58 on the road by the higher-ranked Igokea (#3) in the group J of Basketball Champions League. Pineiro was the top scorer with 16 points. He also added 8 rebounds. The Top 16 already ended in the Basketball Champions League. It's Pineiro's first season with the team. Pineiro has relatively good stats this year: 11.6ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 58.1%(43-74) and FT: 72.7%. He is currently a member of the Puerto Rican senior national team.

John Holland

   #2. Second place goes to an experienced former international guard John Holland (196-88, college: Boston U., currently plays in EuroCup). Holland was not able to help Unics (5-1) in their last game. Despite his good performance Unics lost 76-80 in Bologna to the leading Virtus BO in the group H of Eurocup. Holland was the second best scorer with 13 points. He also added 3 steals in 29 minutes. They ended the series of five consecutive victories. This year Holland has relatively solid stats: 10.7ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.8apg, 3FGP: 44.6% and FT: 78.4% in 17 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Puerto Rican and American. Holland played for the Puerto Rican national team in 2019. He used to play for Caciques de Humacao 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 Italy). Browne led Trento to a victory against the league leader Venezia (24-1) 90-84 in the Italian Serie A in Saturday night's game. He recorded 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Dolomiti Energia Trentino (3-0) is placed first in the Serie A. So far his team won all three games in the Regular Season. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Browne has reliable stats this season: 13.4ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.3apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 42.7%, 3FGP: 32.2% and FT: 84.8%. He is another player who holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. Browne is also a member of the Puerto Rican senior national team. He used to play for Coamo in Puerto Rican league.

Devon Collier

   #4. Power forward Devon Collier (203-91, college: Oregon St., currently plays in Uruguay) contributed to Nacional's victory against the tenth-ranked Trouville (1-4) 81-75 in a derby game in the Uruguayan LUB last Tuesday. Collier had a double-double by scoring 11 points and getting the same number of rebounds in 31 minutes. Nacional De Futbol Montevideo (4-1) is placed second in the LUB. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. Collier's stats this year are: 11.2ppg, 8.6rpg, 2.6apg and 1.6spg in five games. He has both American and Puerto Rican nationalities. Collier is also Puerto Rican national team player. He used to play for Caciques de Humacao in Puerto Rican league.

Gian Clavell

   #5. International guard Gian Clavell (193-93, college: Colorado St., currently plays in VTB United League) was not able to secure a victory for Avtodor (8-14) in their game against N.Novgorod (12-7) in the VTB United League. Despite his very good performance on Saturday night Clavell was the second best scorer with 20 points. There are only two games left until the end of the VTB United League Regular Season. So now every game will be important. Clavell has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 15.1ppg, 2.6rpg and 1.5apg. Clavell plays currently for the Puerto Rican national team.

Christopher Ortiz

   #6. Forward Christopher Ortiz (203-93, agency: Network Sports International, college: Kent St., currently plays in Uruguay) couldn't help Defensor (2-3) in their game against Bigua (3-2) in the Uruguayan LUB. He scored 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Defensor was defeated 91-82 in a derby game by the higher-ranked Bigua (#5). There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be extremely important. Ortiz's stats this season are: 13.2ppg, 6.2rpg and 1.2spg. He also holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. Ortiz is an international player who is currently on the senior Puerto Rican National Team roster. He used to play for Santurce in Puerto Rican league.

J.J. Barea

   #7. International point guard J.J. Barea (183-84, college: Northeastern, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Movil Estudiantes (18-12) in their game against UCAM Murcia (10-17) in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Barea scored 8 points in 15 minutes. Movil Estudiantes lost 75-85 in Murcia to the much lower-ranked (#13) UCAM. Barea averaged so far 13.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 4.6apg and 1.2spg in 12 games. He is also Puerto Rican national team player.

Maurice Harkless

   #8. Forward Maurice Harkless (203-93, college: St.John's, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the Sacramento Kings (22-30) in their game against the Milwaukee Bucks (32-20) in the NBA. Harkless scored only 4 points. The Sacramento Kings (22-30) were edged 129-128 in Milwaukee by the Bucks. It was Kings' fifth consecutive loss in a row. Harkless' overall stats this season are: 3.9ppg and 1.4rpg. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Harkless used to play for the Puerto Rican national team back in 2016. Strangely he has never played in Puerto Rico.

Alexander Abreu

   #9. International point guard Alexander Abreu (180-91, college: UWG, currently plays in Dominican Republic) contributed to CPN's victory against the league outsider Sameji (0-5) 107-96 in a derby game in the Dominican Rep. Santiago League (second division) in Sunday night's game. Abreu had a double-double by scoring 12 points and making 15 passes. He also added and 3 steals in 36 minutes. Pueblo Nuevo (4-2) is placed third in the Santiago League. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. The Regular Season already ended. This year Abreu's overall stats are: 8.6ppg, 1.8rpg and 8.8apg in five games. He is also in the roster of the Puerto Rican national team.

Emmanuel Andujar

   #10. Forward Emmanuel Andujar (198-93, college: Manhattan, currently plays in Dominican Republic) couldn't help one of league's weakest teams Cupes (4-1) in their game against CDP (4-1) in the Dominican Rep. Santiago League (second division). Despite his very good performance last Tuesday Andujar recorded a double-double by scoring 24 points and getting 15 rebounds. He also added 5 assists and 3 steals. Andujar's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. This season Andujar has very high stats. He averages: 17.8ppg, 7.6rpg, 4.4apg and 2.8spg. Andujar holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. He is an international player who is currently on the senior Puerto Rican National Team roster. Andujar used to play for Humacao in Puerto Rican league.

   #11. International forward Jose Rodriguez (201-92, college: Texas Southern, currently plays in Dominican Republic) faced previously mentioned Emmanuel Andujar in the Dominican Rep. Santiago League last game. Rodriguez led CDP to a victory over the closely-ranked Cupes 96-82 in a derby game. He was MVP of the game. Rodriguez scored 24 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists. This season Rodriguez has very high stats. He averages: 17.3ppg, 5.0rpg and 2.8apg. Rodriguez plays currently for the Puerto Rican national team.

   #12. Former U18 international forward Owens Perez (203-92, currently plays in El Salvador) was the major contributor in a Santa Tecla's victory against one of league's weakest teams Fantasmas crushing them 112-83 in the Salvadorean Liga MB (second division) last Friday. He had a double-double by scoring 34 points and getting 32 rebounds. Perez also added 4 assists in 33 minutes. Perez has very impressive stats this year: 15.5ppg, 20.0rpg and 2.8apg in six games. He used to play for the Puerto Rican U18 national team back in 2010.

   #13. Former U19 international guard Julian Strawther (201-2, currently plays college basketball in the States) couldn't help the the league outsider Gonzaga in their game against the Baylor University in the NCAA Finals. He cannot count Monday's game as one of the best ones. Strawther recorded only 3 points. His team was badly defeated by 16 points 86-70. Strawther's total stats this season are: 3.4ppg and 1.2rpg. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Strawther used to play for the Puerto Rican U19 national team two years ago. Apparently he has never played in Puerto Rico.

   #14. International shooting guard Gilberto Clavell (200-89, college: SHSU, currently plays in Mexico) was the main contributor in Dorados' victory against the closely-ranked Centauros 110-97 in the Mexican LBE (third division) in Thursday night's game. He was the best player in that game. Clavell scored 22 points. This season Clavell has very high stats. He averages: 17.5ppg and 4.3rpg. Clavell plays currently for the Puerto Rican national team.


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 (185-G-92, agency: Network Sports International, college: CCSU, currently plays in Lithuania) could not help Lietkabelis (18-9) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Lietkabelis lost 88-94 at home to the leading Zalgiris. Vinales was the top scorer with 28 points. He also added 7 passes in 33 minutes. It's Vinales' first season with the team. Vinales has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 17.3ppg, 2.1rpg and 4.8apg in 26 games he played so far. Vinales has a dual citizenship: Puerto Rican and American. He used to play for Bayamon in Puerto Rican league.

   #2. Jojo Walker (185-G-97, college: Portland, currently plays in North Macedonia) led Gostivar to a victory over the eighth-ranked MZT Skopje (9-4) 65-51 in the North Macedonian Prva Liga in Wednesday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Walker scored 17 points and added 3 passes in 36 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his third season in pro basketball. KK Gostivar (4-8) is placed third in the Prva Liga. The Regular Season already ended. Walker averaged so far 13.6ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.2apg and 1.4spg in 11 games.

   #3. Experienced Francis Han (185-PG-87, college: Fairfield, currently plays in Poland) was not able to help Spojnia in their game against Enea Zastal BC Zielona Gora (27-3) in the Polish EBL. Han cannot count Wednesday's game as one of the best ones. He recorded only 2 points in 13 minutes. Spojnia lost 80-91 on their home court in Stargard to the leading Enea Zastal BC Zielona Gora. So far Spojnia lost all three games in the Quarter-Finals. This year Han's overall stats are: 2.2ppg, 1.2rpg and 2.3apg in 13 games. He is another player who holds two passports: Puerto Rican and Polish.

   #4. Stephen Thompson Jr. (194-G-97, college: Oregon St., currently plays in Italy) was not able to secure a victory for SAzzurra RO (4-17) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Thompson Jr.'s very good performance SAzzurra RO (#13) was defeated 84-73 on the road by the higher-ranked Rieti (#10) in the Group B. He was the top scorer with 21 points. Thompson Jr. also added 5 rebounds. The Regular Season already ended. This season Thompson Jr. has very high stats. He averages: 19.8ppg, 5.5rpg, 3.0apg and 2.4spg. Thompson Jr. has both American and Puerto Rican nationalities. Apparently he has never played in Puerto Rico.

   #5. Jose Guitian (207-F-87, college: Lasell, currently plays in Dominican Republic) couldn't help the league outsider Sameji (0-5) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the bottom-ranked Sameji lost 92-96 in a derby game to the second-ranked Cupes. Guitian had a double-double by scoring 23 points and getting 13 rebounds in 36 minutes. So far Sameji lost all five games in the Regular Season. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. This year Guitian's total stats are: 9.3ppg, 7.3rpg and 2.3apg in four games. He also holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. Guitian used to play for Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rican league.

   #6. Denilson Fonseca (190-G-98, currently plays in Luxembourg) couldn't help the league outsider one of league's weakest teams Esch in their game against Larochette in the Luxembourg Total League. Fonseca recorded 7 points. His team was edged 78-76. Fonseca's total stats this season are: 3.4ppg and 2.4rpg.

   #7. Hector Maldonado (185-G-91, currently plays in Dominican Republic) is a teammate of previously mentioned Jose Guitian. But that was another game of his team in Dominican Rep. Santiago League which we would like to mention. Maldonado couldn't help the league outsider Sameji (0-5) in their last game. Despite his good performance the bottom-ranked Sameji lost 96-107 in a derby game to the higher-ranked (#3) CPN. Maldonado scored 13 points in a mere 19 minutes. Maldonado averaged so far 12.0ppg, 1.5rpg and 2.0apg in two games.

   #8. Benjamin Colon (201-F-84, college: Florida St. Jkv, currently plays in Dominican Republic) couldn't help the league outsider one of league's weakest teams GUG in their game against CPN in the Dominican Rep. Santiago League (second division). Colon cannot count Tuesday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 6 minutes on the court. His team lost 88-102. This year Colon's total stats are: 4.0ppg, 3.7rpg and 2.0apg in three games. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Colon used to play for Vanqueros de Bayamon in Puerto Rican league.