Here is the review of the six Trinidad and Tobago overseas-based players, who were in action, for week-ending 14 May 2023.
The Top Player Award goes to US-born 6-5 swingman Devaughn Akoon-Purchell although 5th ranked Lokomotiv suffered three tough losses to #1 CSK in Russia-VTB United League, Finals Rounds 2-4. On May 8, he contributed a team high 17pts, 4rebs & 2asts in a 76-79 result. Three days later, Akoon-Purcell tallied 7pts, 1reb. 2asts, 1blk & 1stl in a close 81-82 finish. In the third game on May 13, he scored 16pts, 7rebs, a game high 5asts & 2stls in a hard fought 88-90 losing effort. CSK leads the best of seven series 3-1 with the crucial Round 5 game on May 16. Akkon-Purchell is currently averaging 13.9ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.6apg & 1.2spg: 48.8%2FPG, 31.6%3FPG & 85.8%FT.
Second is 7-0 center Johnny Hamilton with a gallant effort of a game high 18pts, shared game high 9rebs, 2blks & 1stl but #13 Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket (11-18) still went under 53-78 to eighth ranked Galatasaray (13-16) in Turkey-BSL, Regular Season Round 87, on May 13. They next play #3 Anadolu Efes (20-8) on May 21. Hamilton is averaging 10.7ppg, 7.1rpg & 2.0bpg: 61.1%%2FPG & 68.8%%FT.
Third is 6-9 forward/center Jabari Narcis with 17pts & 6rebs but #5 Dresden Titans (19-15) still suffered a third loss, 76-89, to #4 Giessen (21-13) in Germany-Pro League, Quarter-Finals Round 3, on May 10. Narcis is currently averaging 7.0ppg & 3.5rpg: 54.2%2FPG, 30.0%3FPG & 69.4% FT.
Fourth is 6-4 point guard Khadeen Carrington with mixed results for Israeli Hapoel Jerusalem (20-7) in the Basketball Champions League Semi-Finals on May 12 and Final Round 1 on May 14. In the Semi-Finals game, Carrington registered a team high 19pts, 1reb & 2stls that guided H.Jerusalem to a close 69-68 win over Spain's Lenovo Tenerife. In the Championship game, he scored 9pts, 2rebs, 1ast & 1stl as H.Jerusalem lost 77-70 to Germany's Elekom Baskets Bonn. Meanwhile, third ranked H.Jerusalem (20-7) will next play #7 Bnei Hertzeliya (14-13) in the Israel-Winner League, Quarter-Finals Rounds 1 & 2 on May 18 and 21, respectively. Carrington is averaging 14.0ppg, 2.0rpg & 2.4apg: 48.9%2FPG, 35.9%3FPG & 72.0% FT in Israel Winner-League. While in the Euro Basketball Championships League, he is averaging 12.6ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.5apg & 1.1spg: 47.7%2FPG, 34.7%3FPG & 66.3% FT.
Fifth is teenage 6-8 forward Malique Lewis who featured in two losses for #18th Fuenlabrada in the Spain La Liga League on May 11 and 14. In the first game, Lewis had 6pts, 2rebs, 2asts & 1stl in an 81-97 loss to sixth ranked Gran Canaria (19-13) at home. Next game, he tallied 7pts, 7rebs, 2ats, 1blk & 1stl as Fuenlabrada (4-29) was defeated 75-93 by #8 Valencia (17-16). Fuenlabrada will play #12 Obradoiro (13-20) on May 20. Lewis is currently averaging 3.8ppg & 3.3rpg: 62.5%2FPG & 22.2%3FPG & 50.0%FT.
Sixth is US-born 5-8 point guard Tyrell Gomez with 9pts, 1rebs, 5asts & 1stl as #1 Saint Quentin (25-9) beat eleventh ranked Etoile Angers (16-17) 83-72 in the France-Pro B League, Regular Season Round 34, on May 12. Gomez is currently averaging 12.4ppg, 1.4rpg & 4.9apg: 43.5%2FPG, 43.5%3FPG & 90.1%FT.
The Player of the week selection is based on the player game's ranking through the use an efficiency stats calculation.
