Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of Puerto Ricans who are currently playing abroad.
#1. This week's number one is an experienced former international shooting guard
Jonathan Rodriguez (196-1987, college:
Campbell, currently plays in Colombia). He was the major contributor in
Titanes' victory against the fifth-ranked Storm (0-2) crushing them
84-56 in the Colombian Liga WPlay in Wednesday night's game.
Rodriguez recorded 20 points and grabbed 8 rebounds (made all of his five free throws) in 34 minutes on the court; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Titanes de Barranquilla (4-0) is placed first in Group A.
So far his team won all four 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.
Rodriguez has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 16.8ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 57.6%(19-33), 3FGP: 29.4% and FT: 87.5% in four games he played so far.
Rodriguez has a dual citizenship: Dominican Republic and Puerto Rican.
Former Gallitos de Isabela starter played for the Puerto Rican senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international forward
Emmanuel Andujar (197-1993, college:
Manhattan, currently plays in Mexico). He could not help
Halcones UV Xalapa (5-15) in their last game on Friday. Despite Andujar's very good performance Halcones UV Xalapa was defeated
94-86 on the road by the league outsider Correcaminos (#10).
He was the second best scorer with 15 points. Andujar also added 9 rebounds.
The Regular Season already ended.
This season Andujar has very high stats. He averages: 15.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 57.5%(23-40) and FT: 75.0%.
Andujar is another player who holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American.
He played for the Puerto Rican national team in 21.
Andujar used to play for Humacao in Puerto Rican league.
#3. The Puerto Rican player who performed third best last week abroad was former U19 international point guard
Brandon Davis (190-1998, currently plays in Colombia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Jonathan Rodriguez. But that was another game of his team in Colombian Liga WPlay which we would like to mention.
Davis managed to help Titanes de Barranquilla in a victory against the third-ranked Tigrillos (1-3) crushing them
89-50.
He recorded 5 points and had 3 steals in 19 minutes.
It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams. Titanes de Barranquilla (4-0) is placed first in Group A.
So far his team won all four games in the Regular Season.
This year Davis' overall stats are: 2.5ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, 3FGP: 25.0% in four games.
He played for the Puerto Rican U19 national team year ago.
#4. Guard
Joseph Soto (190-1993, currently plays in Mexico) contributed to
Abejas' victory against the eighth-ranked Soles (7-12)
88-82 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) last Wednesday.
Soto scored only 4 points and added 3 assists in 20 minutes.
Abejas de Leon (1-15) is placed fourth in the LNBP.
The Regular Season already ended.
This year Soto's total stats are: 1.5ppg, 1.3rpg and 2.3apg in eight games.
He has both Puerto Rican and Mexican nationalities.
Soto used to play for the Puerto Rican national team
back in 20.
#5. Former international guard
Jezreel De Jesus (185-1991, agency:
Interperformances, currently plays in Nicaragua) led
Real Esteli to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Rivas (14-5) crushing them
109-62 in the Nicaraguan LSB on Saturday night.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and making 12 passes. De Jesus also added 6 rebounds.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Real Esteli (17-1) is placed first in the LSB.
It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row.
The Regular Season already ended.
De Jesus has relatively good stats this season: 13.5ppg, 6.2rpg, 7.5apg and 1.7spg.
He used to play for the Puerto Rican national team
years ago.
#6. Guard
Luis Lopez (182-1998, college:
PR-Mayaguez, currently plays in Nicaragua) led
Caribbean Coast to a victory over one of league's weakest teams Occidentales (3-15)
93-81 in the Nicaraguan LSB in Sunday night's game.
Lopez was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 27 points and making 17 passes. Lopez also added 8 rebounds and 4 steals in 31 minutes.
Costa Caribe Managua (7-8) is placed sixth in the LSB.
The Regular Season already ended.
Lopez has very impressive stats this year: 33.3ppg, 5.1rpg, 6.7apg and 4.0spg in seven games.
He is a former U19 international player as he played for the Puerto Rican team year ago.
#7. Former U16 international point guard
Luis Gonzalez (183-1997, college:
PR-Bayamon, currently plays in Nicaragua) was the main contributor in a
Leones MGA's victory against the closely-ranked UNI Basket (10-8)
61-48 in the Nicaraguan LSB last Saturday.
Gonzalez was the best player in that game. He scored 20 points, had 8 boards, dished 4 assists and stole 5 balls.
Leones de Managua (9-8) is placed fifth in the LSB.
The Regular Season already ended.
This season Gonzalez has very high stats. He averages: 20.8ppg, 3.9rpg, 4.8apg and 1.6spg.
Gonzalez used to play for the Puerto Rican U16 national team
years ago.
#8. Forward
Luis Cuascut (200-1998, college:
PR-Bayamon, currently plays in Nicaragua) is a teammate of previously mentioned Luis Gonzalez and both played together in the last Nicaraguan LSB game.
Cuascut contributed to a
Leones MGA's victory against the closely-ranked UNI Basket (10-8)
61-48.
He scored 13 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 24 minutes.
Cuascut has very impressive stats this year: 15.5ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.5apg and 1.5spg in two games.
He used to play for the Puerto Rican U19 national team
back in 17.
#9. Former U17 international forward
Felix Mendez (201-2002, currently plays in Nicaragua) helped
Indigenas win their game against the closely-ranked Leon (7-9)
74-68 in the Nicaraguan LSB in Thursday night's game.
Mendez recorded only 2 points.
Indigenas de Matagalpa (4-13) is placed eighth in the LSB.
They ended the series of ten consecutive loses.
The Regular Season already ended.
Mendez has averaged so far 2.1ppg and 1.4rpg.
He used to play for the Puerto Rican U17 national team
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. Ismael Cruz (190-G-2001, college:
Indian Hills, currently plays in Nicaragua) led
Real Esteli to a victory over the closely-ranked Rivas (14-5) crushing them
109-62 in the Nicaraguan LSB in Saturday night's game.
Cruz was MVP of the game. He scored 44 points (!!!) and grabbed 4 rebounds; not bad, considering it's only Cruz's first season in pro basketball. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Real Esteli (17-1) is placed first in the LSB.
It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row.
The Regular Season already ended.
Cruz has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 29.2ppg, 7.0rpg, 4.5apg and 2.0spg.
#2. Experienced
Roberto Nieves (194-G-1982, college:
Valpo, currently plays in Nicaragua) could not help
Occidentales (3-15) in their last game. Despite Nieves' very good performance Occidentales lost
81-93 at home to the higher-ranked (#6) Caribbean Coast.
He was the second best scorer with 21 points. Nieves also added made 3 passes and 3 steals in 40 minutes.
The Regular Season already ended.
Nieves has very impressive stats this year: 20.3ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.2apg and 2.4spg in 17 games he played so far.
#3. Hector Rodriguez (G/F-1994, currently plays in Nicaragua) is a teammate of previously mentioned Roberto Nieves and both played together in the last Nicaraguan LSB game.
Rodriguez was not able to help
Occidentales in their game against Caribbean Coast (7-8).
He scored only 4 points and added 4 passes.
Occidentales was defeated
93-81 on their home court in Chinandega by the higher-ranked Caribbean Coast (#6).
Rodriguez has averaged so far 2.3ppg, 1.6rpg, 1.5apg and 1.5spg.
