Gian Clavell's 32 points make him top Puerto Rican player abroad of the week

Here is the weekly review of the top performing Puerto Rican players, who play currently abroad.

Gian Clavell

   #1. This week's number one is an international guard Gian Clavell (193-93, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Turkey). Clavell could not help Bursaspor (5-13) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his very good performance Bursaspor was defeated 76-71 on the road by the second-ranked Pinar Karsiyaka. Clavell was the top scorer with 32 points. He also added 6 rebounds. It's Clavell's first season with the team. Clavell has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 20.1ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.1apg, 2.0spg, 2FGP: 69.2%(36-52), 3FGP: 37.8% and FT: 66.7%. Clavell is currently a member of the Puerto Rican senior national team.

Wil Martinez

   #2. Second place goes to former U18 international shooting guard Wil Martinez (188-92, college: Fairmont St., currently plays in Panama). He led Halcones to a victory over the league leader Caballos (8-1) 67-61 in the Panamanian LPB on Friday night. Martinez was MVP of the game. He recorded 26 points (!!!) and grabbed 7 rebounds in 39 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Universitarios de Panama (5-4) is placed third in the LPB. Martinez has very impressive stats this year: 26.6ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 47.6%, 3FGP: 31.8% and FT: 81.8% in 10 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Puerto Rican and American. Martinez played for the Puerto Rican U18 national team in 2010. He used to play for San German 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 EuroCup). Browne was the main contributor in Darussafaka's victory against the closely-ranked Trento (0-5) crushing them 95-74 in the Eurocup in Tuesday night's game. He was the best player in that game. Browne scored 14 points and added 7 assists. Darussafaka Istanbul (3-2) is placed third in group E. His team will play only one more game in the Eurocup Top 16. And that game will be critical. Browne has relatively good stats this season: 10.6ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.1apg, 2FGP: 41.6%, 3FGP: 37.0% and FT: 80.5%. 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.

Angel Matias

   #4. Forward Angel Matias (193-92, college: Georgia South, currently plays in Panama) was the major contributor in Caballos' victory against the closely-ranked Halcones (5-4) crushing them 93-68 in the Panamanian LPB last Sunday. Matias scored 22 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished 4 assists in 30 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Caballos de Cocle Aguadulce (8-1) is placed first in the LPB. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. Matias has very impressive stats this year: 18.6ppg, 8.1rpg, 3.7apg and 1.7spg in nine games. He has both American and Puerto Rican nationalities. Matias used to play for the Puerto Rican national team back in 2018. He played also for Humacao in Puerto Rican league.

John Holland

   #5. International swingman John Holland (195-88, college: Boston U., currently plays in Basketball Champions League) contributed to an easy victory against the eighth-ranked Antwerp Giants (4-10) 88-73 in the Basketball Champions League on Wednesday night. Holland scored 11 points and had 3 steals. Hapoel Jerusalem (11-3) is placed first in group B. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. The Regular Season already ended in the Basketball Champions League. This season Holland has very high stats. He averages: 15.2ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.2apg and 1.2spg. Holland also holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. He plays currently for the Puerto Rican national team. Holland used to play for Caciques de Humacao in Puerto Rican league.

Isaac Sosa Carrion

   #6. Guard Isaac Sosa Carrion (191-90, college: Canisius, currently plays in Uruguay) was not able to help Defensor (8-12) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Defensor lost 80-85 in a derby game to the lower-ranked (#11) Capitol. Sosa Carrion was the top scorer with 24 points. He also added 3 assists in 34 minutes. Sosa Carrion's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. Sosa Carrion has very impressive stats this year: 24.1ppg, 3.1rpg and 3.0apg in 16 games. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Sosa Carrion is an international player who is currently on the senior Puerto Rican National Team roster. He used to play for Mayaguez in Puerto Rican league.

Javier Mojica

   #7. An experienced international shooting guard Javier Mojica (190-84, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: CCSU, currently plays in Mexico) contributed to an easy victory against the leader Mineros (28-8) 83-66 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) on Monday night. Mojica recorded 13 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists in 22 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group East. Fuerza Regia Monterrey (24-12) is placed third. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. This year Mojica has relatively solid stats: 12.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.0apg and 1.1spg in 29 games. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Mojica is also Puerto Rican national team player. He used to play for Fajardo in Puerto Rican league.

Shabazz Napier

   #8. Point guard Shabazz Napier (185-91, college: UConn, currently plays in NBA) contributed to a 1-point Washington Wizards' victory against the Dallas Mavericks (31-21) 119-118 in the NBA last Friday. Napier scored 14 points and added 3 assists in a mere 18 minutes. It was his first game for Washington Wizards this season. His team have 18-32 record this season. Napier holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. He used to play for the Puerto Rican national team back in 2016. Strangely Napier has never played in Puerto Rico.

Jose Juan Barea

   #9. Former international point guard Jose Juan Barea (183-84, college: Northeastern, currently plays in NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the Dallas Mavericks (31-21) in their last game on Friday. Despite his good performance the Dallas Mavericks (31-21) were defeated 128-121 in Houston by the Rockets. Barea recorded 11 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Barea is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his sixth year in Mavericks' roster. He has reliable stats this season: 8.9ppg, 1.9rpg and 3.6apg. Barea used to play for the Puerto Rican national team two years ago.

David Huertas

   #10. Swingman David Huertas (195-87, college: Ole Miss, currently plays in Mexico) is a teammate of previously mentioned Javier Mojica. But that was another game of his team in Mexican LNBP which we would like to mention. Huertas couldn't help Fuerza Regia (24-12) in their game against Soles (29-7), despite his good performance in Friday night's game. He was the top scorer with 12 points in 28 minutes. But the third-placed Fuerza Regia (24-12) was edged 81-78 in Mexicali by the leading Soles in the East group. Huertas has very impressive stats this year: 15.4ppg, 3.0rpg and 2.1apg in 48 games. He is an international player who is currently on the senior Puerto Rican National Team roster.

   #11. Former international swingman Maurice Harkless (203-93, college: St.John's, currently plays in NBA) contributed to an easy victory against the Miami Heat 128-111 in the NBA last Wednesday. Harkless scored 11 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Harkless' overall stats this season are: 5.5ppg and 4.0rpg. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Harkless used to play for the Puerto Rican national team four years ago. Apparently he has never played in Puerto Rico.

   #12. Former international forward Christopher Ortiz (203-93, agency: Network Sports International, college: Kent St., currently plays in FIBA Europe Cup) contributed to Bakken's victory against the closely-ranked Benfica 88-75 in the FIBA Europe Cup last Wednesday. Ortiz scored 8 points in only 12 minutes. This year Ortiz's overall stats are: 5.7ppg and 2.1rpg in 12 games. He holds both American and Puerto Rican passports. Ortiz used to play for the Puerto Rican national team back in 2017. He played also for Santurce in Puerto Rican league.

   #13. Former U18 international point guard David Moya (183-98, currently plays in NCAA2) contributed to a 3-point Barry University's victory against the Eckerd College 96-93 in the NCAA2 on Saturday night. Moya scored 20 points, had 7 boards, passed 6 assists and added 3 steals. Moya's total stats this season are: 6.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.1apg and 1.3spg. He used to play for the Puerto Rican U18 national team six years ago.

   #14. Former U19 international guard Jorge Pacheco-Ortiz (185-98, currently plays college basketball in the States) contributed to an easy victory against the Florida Gulf Coast University 61-46 in the NCAA in Saturday night's game. Pacheco-Ortiz scored 16 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 35 minutes. This year Pacheco-Ortiz's total stats are: 9.9ppg, 2.6rpg and 2.1apg in 25 games. He used to play for the Puerto Rican U19 national team back in 2017.

   #15. Former U16 international guard Eric Ayala (196-99, currently studies in the States) contributed to Maryland's surprising victory against the University of Illinois 75-66 in the NCAA on Friday night. He scored 9 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 29 minutes. Ayala has averaged so far 7.9ppg, 2.8rpg and 2.4apg in 22 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.


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 1-point victory over the ninth-ranked Zenit (6-9) 76-75 in the VTB United League in Sunday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Vinales recorded 29 points (!!!), 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 31 minutes. BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn (7-8) is placed fifth in the VTB United League. Vinales has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 18.2ppg, 3.3rpg and 4.8apg in 14 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. Experienced Johwen Villegas (194-F-85, college: FIU, currently plays in Uruguay) could not help one of league's weakest teams Olimpia (15-6) in their last game on Thursday. Despite Villegas' very good performance Olimpia was edged 80-79 in a derby game by the leading Malvin. He was the top scorer with 17 points. Villegas also added 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. This season Villegas has very high stats. He averages: 18.2ppg, 4.1rpg and 2.0apg.

   #3. Jhivvan Jackson (183-PG, currently plays college basketball in the States) led UTSA to a victory against the Old Dominion University (3-4) 85-81 in the NCAA in Thursday night's game. Jackson recorded 45 points (!!!) and added 3 assists. The The University of Texas San Antonio has 3-4 conference record this season. There are only three games left until the end of the NCAA Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. This season Jackson has very high stats. He averages: 27.1ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.7apg and 1.4spg.

   #4. Melsahn Basabe (201-PF-92, college: Iowa, currently plays in Slovakia) was not able to help Zilina (14-11) in their last game. Despite Basabe's very good performance Zilina lost 95-102 on the road to the one of league's weakest teams (#8) Nova Ves. He was the second best scorer with 21 points. Basabe also added 9 rebounds and 3 assists in 34 minutes. It was Zilina's first loss after four consecutive victories. Basabe has very impressive stats this year: 15.5ppg, 11.8rpg and 2.0apg in four games. He is another player who holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. Despite Basabe's Puerto Rican nationality, 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.

   #5. TreVon Hughes (185-PG-87, college: Wisconsin, currently plays in Israel) led Hasharon to a victory over one of league's weakest teams Hapoel H/M (5-12) 87-81 in the Israeli National League (second division) in Sunday night's game. He was the top player that evening. Hughes recorded a double-double by scoring 19 points and making 11 passes. He also added 7 rebounds. Maccabi Hod Hasharon (9-8) is placed seventh in the National League. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. This season Hughes has very high stats. He averages: 18.9ppg, 4.5rpg, 5.7apg and 2.5spg. Hughes has both American and Puerto Rican nationalities. Interesting that he has never played in Puerto Rico.

   #6. Emanuel Ubilla (188-PG-86, college: Fair Dickinson, currently plays in France) contributed to Poitiers' victory against the 13th-ranked Gries/Oberhoffen 97-88 in the French ProB (second division) last Friday. Ubilla scored 15 points and added 7 assists. Ubilla has averaged so far 8.6ppg, 1.2rpg and 5.4apg. He also holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. Ubilla used to play for Atleticos de San German in Puerto Rican league.

   #7. Jojo Walker (185-G-97, currently studies in the States), who plays in the NCAA was not able to secure a victory for the Portland (1-5) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Walker's good performance his team was crushed 85-61 in Santa Clara by the University. He scored 12 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 5 assists. Walker averaged so far 10.9ppg, 3.3rpg and 2.4apg.

   #8. Alfonso Plummer (185-PG, is currently at the American university) managed to help University of Utah to win against the Stanford University 64-56 in the NCAA on Thursday night. He recorded 5 points. Plummer has averaged so far 5.5ppg and 1.1rpg.

   #9. Miguel Arnold (180-PG, currently plays in NCAA2) contributed to an Augusta University's surprising victory against the Columbus State University 74-64 in the NCAA2 last Saturday. He scored 16 points. Arnold averaged so far 12.1ppg, 1.9rpg and 1.6apg.

   #10. Ahmed Gustave (185-G, currently plays in NAIA) contributed to a St. Andrews University's victory against the Reinhardt College 74-67 in the AAC last Saturday. He scored 12 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 35 minutes. Gustave's stats this year are: 12.1ppg, 1.9rpg and 1.6apg in 20 games.