Tyrell Gomez wins T&T Top Player Award

Here is the review of Trinidad and Tobago overseas-based players for week-ending 7 January 2024.

The Top Player Award goes to US-born 5-8 point guard Tyrell Gomez with a game high 28pts & 8asts plus 5rebs & 1stl for #15 Sokol (4-12) but in a losing effort, 74-96, against #8 King Szczecin (9-7) in Poland OBL on January 7. Interestingly, most of Gomez’s points came from beyond the arc where he enjoyed 7-13 attempts (53.8%) and 7-8 (87.5%) from the free throw line. He was scoreless (0-2) from two-point range. Sokol next play top ranked Anwil Wloclawek (14-2) on January 14. Gomez is averaging 20.3ppg, 5.0apg, 2.0rpg & 1.3spg: 52.4%2FPG, 44.4%3FPG & 88.9%FT.

Second is 6-8 forward Malique Lewis (19yrs) as #4 ranked Capitanes Ciudad de México (11-9) had mixed results against #10 Rip City Remix (11-11) in the NBA G league, Western Conference, on January 6 and 7. In the first game, Lewis contributed 21pts, 5rebs, 1ast & 1stl in a 132-124 victory. In the return game, Lewis scored 7pts, 8rebs, 3asts & 1blk as Rip City levelled the series with a 118-100 win. Capitanes next play Eastern Conference rivals #10 Grand Rapid Gold (10-12) and #11 Wisconsin Herd (9-11) on January 10 and 12 respectively. Lewis is currently averaging 8.0ppg & 5.6rpg: 62.5%%2FPG, 26.9%3FPG & 65.0%FT.

Third is US-born 6-9 forward/center Theo John with a double-double 13pts & game high 10rebs plus 2asts & 1slt as #4 Donar Groningen (8-5) defeated #8 Yoast United (2-10) 87-63 in Holland BNXT League on January 6. Groningen next play #3 Zwolle (8-3) on January 28. John is averaging 9.1ppg, 7.5rpg, 2.6apg & 1.7bpg: 62.1%2FPG, 33.3%3FPG & 59.4% FT.

Fourth is 6-9 forward/center Jabari Narcis in back-to back losses as Western Conference #7 Ehime Orange Vikings (7-23) went under to Western Conference #1 Shiga L-Stars (23-7) in Japan B-2 League on January 5 and 6. In the first game, Narcis scored 8pts & 5rebs in an 89-100 result. In the return game, he had 2pts, 6rebs, 2asts & 2stls in another defeat 81-87. Ehime OV next play 2nd ranked Eastern Conference Koshigaya Alphas (18-12) on January 20 and 21. Narcis is currently averaging 8.2ppg & 8.5rpg: 54.5%2FPG, 29.2%3FPG & 48.6% FT.

Fifth is 6-9 power forward Imru Duke with a game high 19pts & 2blks plus 6rebs & 3asts but #8 Juventuda Aclala (7-8) still went under 80-83 to #9 Juventud Almansa (7-8) in Spain-LEB Silver, West Conference, on January 7. Duke enjoyed 9-13 (69.2%) shooting from the field. Alcala next play #2 Starlabs CB Moron (10-5) on January13. Duke is averaging 13.6ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1bpg & 1.0spg: 60.9%2FPG, 29.6%3FPG & 56.3%FT.

Sixth is US-born 6-5 swingman Devaughn Akoon-Purchell with 18pts, 3rebs & 2asts as Lokomotiv (14-6) scored a 93-83 victory at home over Astana (8-12) in the Russia-VTB United League on January 5. With the win, Lokomotiv moved into 3rd place and remains at home against #9 Avtodor (9-11) on January 9. Akoon-Purchell is averaging 16.7ppg, 4.0rpg & 2.0apg: 61.1%2FPG, 38.8%3FPG & 83.3%FT.

Seventh is 7-0 center Johnny Hamilton with 12pts, 6rebs, game high 3blks & 1ast as #7 Bursaspor (7-8) was defeated 73-83 by top ranked Anadolu Efes (13-2) in Turkey-BSL on January 7. Bursaspor next play #13 Turk Telekom (6-9) on January 14. Hamilton is averaging 11.9ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.0apg & 1.8bpg: 63.8%2FPG & 64.6%FT in Turkey-BSL. While in the BCL, he has 10.6ppg, 5.8rpg & 2.4bpg: 60.6%2FPG & 56.5%FT.

Eight is US-born 6-6 guard Jules Bernard Jr with 15pts, 4rebs, 2asts & 1blk as #7 Capital City Go-Go (11-9) scored a 119-113 win over #10 Maine Celtics (10-10) in the NBA G League, Eastern Conference, on January 5. Capital City next play conference rivals #3 Westchester Knicks (14-8) and #15Greensboro Swam (6-15) on January 8 and 10 respectively. Bernard is averaging 19.8ppg, 6.2rpg & 3.9apg: 50.0%2FPG, 38.1%3FPG & 93.5%FT.

Ninth is 6-2 guard Zidane Moore with 14pts, 4rebs, 4asts & 2stls in a losing effort, 61-76, for #9 Holbaek (3-12) against #3 Horsens IC (12-3) in Denmark-BasketLigaen on January 3. Holbaek will meet #11 Amager (1-14) on January 7. Moore is averaging 18.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 5.2apg & 1.6spg: 39.5%2FPG, 33.3%FPG & 73.6%FT.

Tenth is 6-8 forward Shakeil Bertrand with 2pts, 2rebs, 2asts & 2stls in 14mins off the bench as Northeastern State University (NSU) was defeated 65-78 by Northwest Missouri State University in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Conference, NCAA Division 2, on January 4. NSU next play Missouri Western State University of January 6. Bertrand is averaging 1.5ppg & 1.9rpg: 72.7%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.