Teenager Malique Lewis wins T&T Top Player Award

Here is the review of Trinidad and Tobago overseas-based players for week-ending 26 November 2023.

The Top Player Award goes to nineteen year old 6-8 forward Malique Lewis who featured in three victories for Capitanes Ciudad de México (4-3) against two Western Conference rivals in the NBA G League. On November 20, Lewis filled the stats sheet with 8pts, game high 15rebs, 2asts, 1blk & 1stl in a 124-104 win over Memphis Herd (3-5). Despite coming off the bench, Lewis enjoyed the team highest game ranked score of 21. In the next two games against Texas Legend (2-5), he chipped in with 4pts, 7rebs, 1ast & 1stl in a close 119-116 result on November 24 and the following day with 12pts, 4rebs, 2asts, 3blks & 1stl as Capitanes cruised to a comfortable 117-84 triumph. Capitanes play Rio Grande Valley Vipers on November 30 and December 1. Lewis is currently averaging 6.7ppg, 7.3rpg & 1.1spg: 54.5%2FPG, 26.3%3FPG & 71.4%FT.

Second is US-born 6-5 swingman Devaughn Akoon-Purchell who featured in two wins for #5 Lokomotiv (8-5) in the Russia-VTB United League on November 22 and 26. In the first game, Akkon-Purchell shared a game high 17pts along with 2rebs & 2asts in a 96-76 victory over 9th ranked Runa Basket (6-6). In the other game, he led with a team high 16pts plus 6rebs & 2asts in a close 90-96 result over #14 Minsk (0-13). Lokomotiv next play #2 UNICS (9-3). Akoon-Purchell is averaging 16.4ppg, 4.1rpg & 2.3apg: 62.0%2FPG, 38.5%3FPG & 85.7%FT.

Third is 6-9 forward/center Jabari Narcis in two losses with West Division #7 Ehime Orange Vikings (5-12) against #2 Shiga L-Stars (11-6) in Japan B-2 League on November 25 & 26. In the first game, Narcis had 13pts, 9rebs & 1stl in a 73-93 result. Next game, he scored 16pts with a game high 8rebs in an 83-105 loss. Ehime OV will play close rivals #5 Nishinomiya (9-8) S on December 1 & 2. Narcis is currently averaging 7.1ppg & 6.9rpg: 54.4%2FPG, 27.3%3FPG & 60.9% FT.

Fourth is 6-9 power forward Imru Duke who helped Aclala (5-4) to a 92-82 home victory over 9th ranked Zornotza (4-5) in Spain-LEB Silver, West Conference, on November 25. Duke made a significant contribution of 15pts, 8rebs, 4asts & 2blks. With the win, Aclala jumped to 5th place, which they share with three other teams. Aclala next play an away game against #8 Huesca (4-5) on November 25. Duke is averaging 10.8ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0bpg & 1.0spg: 55.9%2FPG, 22.2%3FPG & 45.0%FT.

Fifth is 7-0 center Johnny Hamilton with 9pts, 5rebs & 2blks as Bursaspor beat at home bottom-ranked #16 Samsunspor (1-8) 78-74 in Turkey-BSL on November 26. With three victories in a row, Bursapor in improved to a 6-3 record and moved from 6th to 3rd place. Bursaspor next play #12 Tofas (4-5) on December 3. In the Euro Basketball Champions League (BCL), Hamilton wasn’t rostered as fourth ranked Turkish Bursaspor (2-2) defeated second-best German Telekom Baskets (2-2) 92-82 on November 21. Both teams do not play next round. Hamilton is averaging 12.8ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.0apg & 1.7bpg: 65.3%2FPG & 72.4%FT in Turkey-BSL and 10.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.0apg & 3.5bpg: 76.9%2FPG & 33.3%FT in the BCL.

Sixth is US-born 6-8 forward Stacey Thomas in two defeats with #9 Stariy Lutsk (3-7) in the Ukraine Super-League on November 22 and 23. In the first game, Thomas tallied 13pts, 9rebs, 2asts & 1stl in a 66-90 loss to #4 Kyiv Basket (6-4). Next day, he had 10pts & 8rebs in a 54-73 win result against #2 Cherkasy (7-3). Thomas is averaging 10.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.0apg & 1.0spg: 54.5%2FPG, 33.3%3FPG & 70.3%FT in eight games.

Seventh is 6-8 forward Shakeil Bertrand with 2pts, 2rebs & 2blk in 13mins off the bench as Northeastern State University (NSU) beat University of the Ozarks (Arkansas) 72-20 in non-conference game on November 20. NSU completes in the Mid-America Intercollegiate, NCAA Division 11. NSU next play against Fort Hays State University in their MIAA conference opening game on November 30. Bertrand is averaging 2.8ppg & 2.0rpg: 71.4%FT & 50.0%FT.

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