Alexander Abreu selected the top Puerto Rican playing abroad in last week's games

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

Alexander Abreu

   #1. This week's number one is former international shooting guard Alexander Abreu (179-1991, college: UWG, currently plays in Venezuela). He could not help Guaros (9-12) in their last game. Despite Abreu's very good performance the fourth-placed Guaros (9-12) was crushed 106-79 on the road by the higher-ranked (#3) Heroes in the West-B group. He was the top scorer with 18 points. Abreu also added 3 passes in 31 minutes on the court; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. It was Guaros' first loss after three consecutive victories. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Abreu has relatively good stats this year: 14.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 6.1apg, 1.4spg, 3FGP: 39.2% in nine games he played so far. Former Coamo starter played for the Puerto Rican senior national team year ago.

Luis Gonzalez

   #2. Second place goes to former U16 international point guard Luis Gonzalez (183-1997, college: PR-Bayamon, currently plays in Nicaragua). Gonzalez was the major contributor in a Leones MGA's victory against the closely-ranked Rivas (14-5) crushing them 79-54 in the Nicaraguan LSB on Thursday night. He recorded 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in 33 minutes. Leones de Managua (7-5) is placed fifth in the LSB. Gonzalez's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. Gonzalez has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 21.5ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.6apg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 41.2%, 3FGP: 36.1% and FT: 88.1% in 11 games. Gonzalez played for the Puerto Rican U16 national team in 13.

Leandro Allende

   #3. The Puerto Rican player who performed third best last week abroad was former U19 international forward Leandro Allende (198-1998, college: Barry, currently plays in Nicaragua). He managed to help Real Esteli to win against the league outsider Occidentales (2-11) crushing them 95-73 in the Nicaraguan LSB in Sunday night's game. Allende scored 5 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 4 assists. Real Esteli (12-0) is placed first in the LSB. So far his team won all twelve games in the Regular Season. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important. This season Allende has relatively solid stats: 11.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 46.9%, 3FGP: 38.1% and FT: 73.1%. He played for the Puerto Rican U19 national team year ago.

Felix Mendez

   #4. Forward Felix Mendez (201-2002, currently plays in Nicaragua) was not able to help Indigenas in their game against UNI Basket (8-4) in the Nicaraguan LSB. Mendez recorded only 4 points in 10 minutes. Indigenas was crushed 113-86 at home by the higher-ranked (#3) UNI Basket. It was Indigenas' sixth consecutive loss in a row. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. This year Mendez's overall stats are: 1.9ppg and 1.3rpg in 12 games. He used to play for the Puerto Rican U17 national team back in 19.


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

   #1. Ismael Cruz (190-G-2001, college: Indian Hills, currently plays in Nicaragua) led Real Esteli to a victory over the league outsider Occidentales (2-11) crushing them 95-73 in the Nicaraguan LSB last Sunday. He was MVP of the game. Cruz recorded a double-double by scoring 41 points and getting 12 rebounds. He also added 6 assists; not bad, considering it's only Cruz's first season in pro basketball. Real Esteli (12-0) is placed first in the LSB. So far his team won all twelve games in the Regular Season. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Cruz has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 29.5ppg, 7.2rpg, 5.3apg and 2.3spg.

   #2. Experienced Roberto Nieves (194-G-1982, college: Valpo, currently plays in Nicaragua). Nieves could not help Occidentales (2-11) to beat Brumas (19-0). He recorded 9 points and added 3 assists. But the bottom-ranked Occidentales was badly defeated 80-64 at home by the leading Brumas. It was Occidentales' third consecutive loss in a row. Nieves' team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. This season Nieves has very high stats. He averages: 19.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.3apg and 2.3spg.

   #3. Hector Rodriguez (G/F-1994, currently plays in Nicaragua) is a teammate of previously mentioned Roberto Nieves. He played also in the last Nicaraguan LSB game facing Ismael Cruz (above) in the other team. Rodriguez was not able to help Occidentales in their game against Real Esteli (13-5). He cannot count it as his best performance. Rodriguez scored only 2 points, made 4 passes and 4 steals in 15 minutes. The bottom-ranked Occidentales was crushed 95-73 on their home court in Chinandega by the higher-ranked (#7) Real Esteli. This year Rodriguez's total stats are: 2.3ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.5apg and 1.5spg in 12 games he played so far.


Other top Puerto Rican players, who play abroad:

Gian Clavell (193-PG-1993) plays for Prometey in Ukrainian Superleague
John Holland (196-G-1988) plays for Crvena Zvezda in Serbian KLS
Maurice Harkless (201-F-1993) plays for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA
Joseph Alvarado (183-PG-1998) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
Justin Reyes (193-F-1995) plays for Varese in Italian Serie A
Jordan Howard (180-PG-1996) plays for Napoli in Italian Serie A
Tremont Waters (180-PG-1998) plays for Metropolitans in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Kyle Vinales (188-G-1992) plays for Sluc Nancy in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Jhivvan Jackson (183-PG) plays for Spirou Charleroi in Belgian Pro Basketball League
Ivan Gandia-Rosa (185-PG-1997) plays for Ventspils in Latvian LBL
David Moya (183-PG-1998) plays for Thunder in British NBL D1
Bobby Harris (185-G-1991) plays for Almansa in Spanish LEB Gold
Jeremy Torres (175-PG) plays for Montverde Academy in the
Edir Ortiz (198-PF-2003) plays for Dade Christian in the
Yaniel Rivera (190-SG-2004) plays for Dade Christian in the

Notice: The list above includes only some of the Puerto Rican playing currently abroad. Go to Puerto Rican Abroad Page to see completed list.