Jules Bernard Jr recaptures T&T Top Player Award

Here is the review of Trinidad and Tobago overseas-based players for week-ending 31 December 2023.

The Top Player Award goes to US-born 6-6 guard Jules Bernard Jr who assisted #9 Capital City Go-Go (10-9) to two victories in the NBA G League, Eastern Conference. In the first game, Bernard tallied 13pts, 6rebs, 5asts & 1stl in a dominant 143-109 result over #16 Raptors 905 (5-14) on December 28. In another game, Bernard was their second highest scorer with 27pts, 6rebs, 2asts & 1stl as Capital City surpass #6 Motor City Cruise (11-8) 124-119 on December 30. Capital City next play conference rivals #8 Maine Celtics (10-9) and #2 Westchester Knicks (13-7) on January 5 and 8 respectively. Bernard is averaging 20.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 4.0apg & 1.0spg: 50.9%2FPG, 39.0%3FPG & 93.0%FT.

Second is 6-8 forward Malique Lewis with mixed result for #5 ranked Capitanes Ciudad de México (10-8) against #11 Texas Legends (8-11) in the NBA G league, Western Conference. In the first game, Lewis contributed 2pts, 2rebs, 2asts, 2blks & 2stls in a 120-114 win on December 27. The following day, Lewis registered a team high double-double 20pts & 12rebs along with a game high 3blks plus 2asts but in a narrow 111-112 loss to their rivals. Capitanes will play fellow conference rivals #9 Rip City Remix (9-10) on January 6 and 7. Lewis is currently averaging 7.3ppg & 5.7rpg: 59.1%%2FPG, 22.4%3FPG & 68.4%FT.

Third is 6-2 guard Zidane Moore with a game high 34pts, 6rebs, 2asts, 1blk & 1stl in a losing 77-115 effort for #9 Holbaek (2-11) against #2 Svendborg (12-2) in Denmark-BasketLigaen on December 30. Holbaek will meet #3 Horsens IC (11-3) and #11 Amager (1-13) on January 3 and 7 respectively. Moore is averaging 19.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.7apg & 1.5spg: 38.2%2FPG, 34.5%FPG & 74.5%FT.

Fourth is 6-9 power forward Imru Duke with 24pts & 6rebs guiding #5 Juventuda Aclala (7-7) to a close 90-88 road victory over #13 Huelva Comerico Viridis (4-10) in Spain-LEB Silver, West Conference, on December 30. Duke enjoyed 11-of-13 shooting from the field. Alcala next play on the road against #11 Almansa (6-8) on January. Duke is averaging 13.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0bpg & 1.0spg: 60.0%2FPG, 30.8%3FPG & 56.7%FT.

Fifth is 6-9 forward/center Jabari Narcis but with back-to back losses as Western Conference #7 Ehime Orange Vikings (7-21) went under to Eastern Conference #6 Iwate Big Bulls (7-21) in Japan B-2 League on December 29 & 30. In the first game, Narcis scored 8pts, 5rebs, game high 2blks & 1stl in a 73-79 result. In the return game, he had 6pts, game high 13rebs & 3blks, along with 2stls & 1ast in another close finish, 73-76. Ehime OV next play top ranked Western Conference rivals Shiga L-Stars (21-7) on January 5 and 6. Narcis is currently averaging 8.4ppg & 8.6rpg: 53.9%2FPG, 29.9%3FPG & 51.6% FT.

Sixth is US-born 5-8 point guard Tyrell Gomez with 15pts, team high 5asts & 1stl as #14 Sokol (4-11) was defeated 84-91 by #11 Slask (7-8) in Poland OBL on December 30. Sokol next play #6 King Szczecin (8-6) on January 7. Gomez is averaging 18.8ppg, 5.0apg, 1.2rpg & 1.4spg: 57.9%2FPG, 42.0%3FPG & 90.0%FT.

Seventh is 7-0 center Johnny Hamilton with 9pts, shared team high 7rebs & 2stls as #6 Bursaspor (7-7) was defeated 90-97 by #2 Fenerbahce (11-3) in Turkey-BSL on December 30. Hamilton is averaging 11.9ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.1apg & 1.7bpg: 64.2%2FPG & 66.0%FT in Turkey-BSL. While in the BCL, he has 10.6ppg, 5.8rpg & 2.4bpg: 60.6%2FPG & 56.5%FT.

Eight is 6-8 forward Shakeil Bertrand who chipped in with 2pts & 4rebs coming off the bench as Northeastern State University (NSU) scored a comfortable 94-63 win over Ecclesia College in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Conference, NCAA Division 2, on December 30. NSU next play Northwest Missouri State University and Missouri Western State University of January 4 and 6 respectively. Bertrand is averaging 1.5ppg & 1.9rpg: 70.0%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.