Jules Bernard Jr wins T&T Top Player Award

Here is the review of Trinidad and Tobago overseas-based players for week-ending 12 November 2023.

The Top Player Award goes to 6-7 Jules Bernard Jr with a game high double-double of 30pts and 10rebs along with 4asts for Capital City Go-Go in an opening win, 137-127, over Maine Celtic in the NBA G League on November 10. Bernard was efficient from the field shooting 50.0% 2FPG, 66.7%3FPG & 85.7%FT. Bernard is coming off an impressive pre-season with Washington Wizards before been assigned to their G League team. Capital City next play Eastern Conference rivals Delaware Blue Coats (0-1) on November 13 and 15.

Second is US-born 6-5 swingman Devaughn Akoon-Purchell with a game high 17pts, 4rebs, 3asts, 1blk & 1stl for Lokomotiv in a 68-78 loss to #9 Astana (3-4) in the Russia-VTB United League on November 9. In the second game on November 12, Akoon-Purchell had 22pts, 3rebs & 4asts that helped Lokomotiv upset top ranked CSKA (9-1) 91-88 on the road. Sixth placed Lokomotiv (5-5) next play #13 Avtodor (3-6) and #3 Runa BasketRussia (6-2) on November 19 & 22, respectively. Akoon-Purchell is averaging 15.2ppg, 3.6rpg & 2.4apg: 63.0%2FPG, 40.9%3FPG & 78.9%FT.

Third is 7-0 center Johnny Hamilton, who filled up the stats sheet, with18pts, game high 11rebs, 3asts, 1blk & 1stl as #9 Bursaspor (4-3) scored a 104-91 win over #12 Bahcesehir (2-5) in Turkey-BSL on November 12. Bursaspor next play #10 Galatasaray (3-4) on November 17. In the Euro Basketball Champions League (BCL), Bursaspor (0-2) will play Germany Telekom Baskets Boon (2-1) on November 21. Hamilton is averaging 12.3ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.0apg & 1.7bpg: 66.1%2FPG & 70.6%FT in Turkey-BSL and 10.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.0apg & 3.5bpg: 76.9%2FPG & 33.3%FT in the BCL.

Fourth is 6-9 forward/center Jabari Narcis with two wins for West Division #6 Ehime Orange Vikings (5-8) over East Division #5 Fukushima (4-9) in Japan B-2 League on November 10 & 11. In the first game, Narcis had 9pts, 8rebs & 1blk in a close 97-95 result. The following game, he tallied a double 12pts & 11rebs in a 78-72 victory. Ehime OV will play against top ranked East team Chiba (11-2) on November 17 & 18. Narcis is currently averaging 6.4ppg & 6.9rpg: 51.1%2FPG, 20.0%3FPG & 64.7% FT.

Fifth is 6-9 power forward Imru Duke who stacked up a double 10pts & a game high 10rebs along with 4asts, 2blks & 1stl guiding Aclala (3-4) to an 82-77 win over# 2 Huelva CD (5-2) in Spain-LEB Silver, West Conference, on November 11. Ninth ranked Aclala next play #11 La Roda (2-5) on November 18. Duke is averaging 9.6ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.6apg & 1.0spg: 52.9%2FPG, 13.3%3FPG & 38.9%FT.

Sixth is 6-4 point guard Khadeen Carrington with 8pts, 2rebs, 3asts & 1stl as Israeli Hapoel Jerusalem (2-0) scored an 84-66 road win over Portuguese Benfica (1-1) in the Euro Basketball Champions League on November 8. Hapoel Jerusalem will meet Greece PAOK (1-1) in the next round on November 15. In the Israel-Winner League, Haopel Jerusalem will play Haopel Eilat on November 19. Carrington is averaging 17.5ppg, 2.0rpg & 3.0apg: 58.3%2FPG, 50.0%3FPG & 90.0% FT in the Euro Basketball Championships League.

Seventh is 6-2 guard Zidane Moore, who filled up the stats sheet, with11pts, 4rebs, 3asts, 1blk & 3stls as #10 Holbaek (2-6) edged #8 Bears Academy Aarhus (2-6) 65-63 in Denmark-BasketLigaen on November 9. Holbaek will meet at home #7 Vaerlose (4-5) on November 16. Moore is averaging 19.5ppg, 5.7rpg, 3.8apg & 2.0spg: 35.7%2FPG, 32.5FPG & 80.0%FT.

Eight is teenage 6-8 forward Malique Lewis who debuted with 4pts, 3rebs & 1ast as Capitanes Ciudad de México went under 103-108 in a tough loss to Birmingham Squadron in the NBA G League on November 12. Capitanes meet Birmingham again on November 13. Lewis is currently averaging 4.0ppg, 3.0rpg & 1.0apg: 25.0%2FPG & 100.0%FT.

Ninth is 6-8 forward Shakeil Bertrand 1pt & 2rebs in six minutes off the bench in a 73-52 non-conference win for Northeastern State University (NSU) against Northwestern Oklahoma. NSU completes in the Mid-America Intercollegiate, NCAA Division 11. Bertrand did play the following day in their 63-61 to the University of Mary. NSU next play Haskell Indian Nations University on 15. Bertrand is averaging 1.0ppg & 2.0rpg: 50.0%FT.

The Player of the week selection is based on the player game's ranking through the use an efficiency stats calculation.