Gian Clavell's 31 points make him top Puerto Rican player abroad of the week

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

Gian Clavell

   #1. This week's number one is an international guard Gian Clavell (193-93, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Ukraine). He led Budivelnyk to a victory over the league leader Khimik (4-1) 76-72 in the Ukrainian Superleague in Saturday night's game. Clavell was MVP of the game. He scored 31 points (!!!) and grabbed 8 rebounds in 31 minutes on the court. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Budivelnyk Kyiv (3-2) is placed third in the Superleague. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Clavell has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 26.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.0apg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 56.8%(21-37), 3FGP: 32.3% and FT: 82.9% in four games he played so far. Clavell is currently a member of the Puerto Rican senior national team.

Ivan Gandia-Rosa

   #2. Second place goes to an international point guard Ivan Gandia-Rosa (185-97, college: UNF, currently plays in Slovakia). Gandia-Rosa contributed to an easy victory against the league outsider Spisski Rytieri (0-1) 84-65 in the Slovakian Nike SBL on Wednesday night. He had a double-double by scoring 15 points and making 10 passes. Gandia-Rosa also added 5 rebounds in 37 minutes. It was his first game for Inter Bratislava this season; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his second season in pro basketball. His team is placed first in the Nike SBL. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. It's Gandia-Rosa's first year with the team. Gandia-Rosa is in the roster of the Puerto Rican senior national team.

Arnaldo Toro

   #3. The Puerto Rican player who performed third best last week abroad was an international power forward Arnaldo Toro (203-97, college: St.John's, currently plays in Finland). He could not help Nokia (1-1) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Toro's very good performance Nokia was defeated 101-89 on the road by the lower-ranked Pyrinto (#10). He recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and getting the same number of rebounds. Toro also added 3 assists. But the season just started, so everything may happen. It's Toro's first year with the team. This season he has very high stats. Toro averages: 16.0ppg, 13.5rpg, 2.0apg, 2FGP: 61.9%(13-21). He is also a member of the Puerto Rican senior national team.

Isaiah Pineiro

   #4. Small forward Isaiah Pineiro (200-95, college: San Diego, currently plays in Basketball Champions League) was not able to help Dacka in their game against Cluj Napoca (1-0) in the Basketball Champions League. Pineiro recorded 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. It was his first game for Dacka this season. Dacka was defeated 66-60 in Cluj Napoca by the leading Cluj Napoca. Pineiro is also Puerto Rican national team player.

Gary Browne

   #5. International point guard Gary Browne (185-93, college: WVU, currently plays in Turkey) was not able to secure a victory for Socar Petkim (0-2) in their last game. Despite his good performance Socar Petkim lost 63-71 in Istanbul to the second-ranked Fenerbahce. Browne was the top scorer with 14 points. He also added made 6 passes and 5 steals in 31 minutes. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. It's Browne's first season with the team. Browne has relatively good stats this year: 11.0ppg, 2.0rpg, 5.0apg and 3.5spg in two games. He has a dual citizenship: Puerto Rican and American. Browne plays currently for the Puerto Rican national team. He used to play for Coamo 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. Stephen Thompson Jr. (194-G-97, college: Oregon St., currently plays in Italy) led Reggio Emilia to a victory against one of league's weakest teams Napoli (0-2) 102-90 in the Italian Serie A last Sunday. He scored 11 points and added 3 passes. Unahotels Reggio Emiliais placed in the Serie A. It's Thompson Jr.'s first season with the team. Thompson Jr. has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 16.0ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.8apg and 1.8spg. Thompson Jr. has a dual citizenship: Puerto Rican and American. Strangely he has never played in Puerto Rico.

   #2. Kyle Vinales (188-G-92, agency: Inception Sports, college: CCSU, currently plays in ABA League) was the major contributor in a SC Derby's victory against the league outsider Zadar (0-3) 94-78 in the ABA League last Friday. Vinales had a double-double by scoring 18 points and making 11 passes in 26 minutes. SC Derby Podgorica (1-1) is placed tenth in the ABA League. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It's Vinales' first year with the team. He has very impressive stats this season: 17.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 6.5apg and 2.0spg in two games he played so far. Vinales is another player who holds two passports: Puerto Rican and American. He used to play for Bayamon in Puerto Rican league.

   #3. Experienced Emanuel Ubilla (187-PG-86, college: FDU, currently plays in Czech Republic) led NH Ostrava to a victory over one of league's weakest teams Olomoucko (1-5) 86-81 in the Czech Republic NBL on Saturday night. Ubilla was the best player in that game. He scored 24 points and added 5 assists. BK Nova Hut Ostrava (2-2) is placed fifth in the NBL. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This season Ubilla has very high stats. He averages: 15.5ppg, 3.0rpg and 4.8apg. Ubilla has both American and Puerto Rican nationalities. He used to play for Atleticos de San German in Puerto Rican league.

   #4. Ivan Aska (201-F-90, agency: 011 Sports, college: Murray St., currently plays in Hungary) could not help one of league's weakest teams DEAC in their last game. Despite Aska's good performance DEAC was edged 79-78 on the road by the second-ranked Szolnok. He recorded 13 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 24 minutes. It's Aska's first season with the team. Aska has relatively good stats this year: 10.3ppg and 6.3rpg in four games. He also holds two passports: U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rican.

   #5. Denilson Fonseca (190-F/G-98, currently plays in Luxembourg) contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Arantia (2-1) crushing them 108-59 in the Luxembourg LBBL in Sunday night's game. Fonseca scored 9 points, had 6 rebounds and dished 3 assists. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Basket Esch (3-0) is placed first in the LBBL. So far his team won all three games in the Regular Season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Fonseca has been at the team for six years. His overall stats this season are: 6.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.7apg and 2.3spg.