Jules Bernard Jr secures T&T Top Player Award

Here is the review of Trinidad and Tobago overseas-based players for week-ending 28 January 2024.

The Top Player Award goes to US-born 6-6 guard Jules Bernard Jr for his gallant efforts in spite of a 0-3 losing record for #9 Capital City Go-Go (14-15) in the NBA G League, Eastern Conference, during the week. In the first game, Bernard had 16pts, 6rebs, 2asts, 1blk & 3stls in a 110-122 loss to top ranked Indiana Mad Ants. In the return game the following day, Bernard scored a game high 29pts, 7rebs & 1ast as Capital City again went under, 106-110, to Indiana (22-7). On January 27, he had a team high 20pts, 1reb & game high 4stls is a 107-123 defeat to #4 Osceola Magic (17-10). Capital City next play Eastern Conference #6 Long island Nets (17-12) and Western Conference #1 Rio Grande Valley Vipers (19-9) on February 3 and 6, respectively. Bernard is averaging 19.8ppg, 6.0rpg, 3.5apg & 1.3spg: 48.8%2FPG, 36.9%3FPG & 92.5%FT in the G League. Meanwhile three NBA games with Washington Wizards, he has 0.7ppg & 50.0%2FPG from an average of 5.3mins per game.

Second is US-born 6-8 forward Stacey Thomas with a 2-1 record for #9 Stariy Lutsk (7-15) in the Ukraine Super-League. In the first game, Thomas scored 19pts, 6rebs & 1blk in a 96-89 win over #8 Polit-Halychyna (8-13) on January 24. The following day, Thomas had a game high 9rebs, 8pts, 1ast, 1blk & 2stls as Stariy Lutsk suffered a 58-77 loss to #2 Ravine (14-8). In the third game, Thomas registered 14pts, 3rebs, 1blk & 2stls in a 71-65 victory over #6 Hoverla (11-11) on January 26. Thomas is averaging 10.5ppg & 5.0rpg: 54.8%2FPG, 33.3%3FPG & 69.9%FT.

Third is US-born 6-5 swingman Devaughn Akoon-Purchell, who helped #3 Lokomotiv (18-7) to two victories, in Russia-VTB United League. In the first game, Akoon-Purchell contributed 11pts, 2rebs, game high 4asts & 1stl in a lopsided 95-59 triumph over the winless #14 Minsk (0-23) on January 24. In the other contest, he had 14pts, 3rebs, 1ast & a game high 3stls as Lokomotiv smashed #7 Samara (13-12) 91-76 on January 28. Lokomotiv next play #9 Runa Basket (11-14) on February 3. Akoon-Purchell is averaging 16.8ppg, 3.4rpg & 2.1apg: 63.6%2FPG, 36.7%3FPG & 86.4%FT.

Fourth is US-born 5-8 point guard Tyrell Gomez with a game high 22pts, 2rebs, 5asts & 1stl for #16 Sokol (4-15) but in a narrow 84-86 loss to #14 Zastal (5-13) in Poland OBL on January 25 Sokol next play #9 Dziki (10-9) on February 2. Gomez is averaging 17.1ppg, 6.3apg, 2.2rpg & 1.2spg: 48.1%2FPG, 40.5%3FPG & 92.9%FT.

Fifth is 6-2 guard Zidane Moore, who scored 19pts, 8rebs, game high 7asts & 2blks, but in a losing effort, 73-92, with #9 Holbaek (3-14) against #3 Naestved (14-3) in Denmark-BasketLigaen on January 24. Holbaek will meet #10 Herlev (2-15) on February 1. Moore is averaging 17.9ppg, 5.3rpg, 4.1apg & 1.5spg: 38.8%2FPG, 32.2%FPG & 69.4%FT.

Sixth is 7-0 center Johnny Hamilton with 9pts & 6rebs as #11 Bursaspor (7-11) suffered a huge loss, 59-88, to #3 Beskitas (14-4) in Turkey-BSL on January 27. Bursaspor next play #13 Buyukcekmece (7-10) on February 3. Hamilton is averaging 11.4ppg, 7.3rpg & 1.0apg: 60.6%2FPG & 56.5%FT in Turkey-BSL. While in the BCL, he has 10.6ppg, 5.8rpg & 2.4bpg: 60.6%2FPG & 56.5%FT.

Seventh is 6-8 forward Malique Lewis with 6pts, 6rebs & 1ast as #4 Capitanes Ciudad de México (17-11) went under 91-114 to #7 OKC Blue (16-15) in the NBA G League, Western Conference, on January 24. Capitanes next play #11 Salt Lake City Stars (13-15) on February 4 and 5. Lewis is currently averaging 8.7ppg, 6.0rpg & 1.0apg: 64.4%%2FPG, 30.1%3FPG & 71.4%FT.

Eight is 6-8 forward Shakeil Bertrand with 10pts, 1reb & game high 4stls as Northeastern State University (NSU) suffered a 73-97 loss to Pittsburg State University in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Conference, NCAA Division 2, on January 27. NSU next play at home against Emporia State University and Washburn University on February 1 and 3 respectively. Bertrand is averaging 2.4ppg & 1.7rpg: 76.0%2FPG & 28.6%FT.

Ninth is 6-4 point guard Khadeen Carrington, who contributed 7pts, 1reb & 1stl, as Israeli Hapoel Jerusalem scored a narrow two points win, 77-75, on the road against Greek Peristeri in the Euro Basketball Champions League on January 24. H.Jerusalem will meet at home Turkish Pinar Karsiyaka on January 31. Carrington is averaging 12.0ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.9apg & 1.0spg: 51.4%2FPG, 38.1%3FPG & 80.0% FT in the Euro Basketball Championships League.

Tenth is 6-9 power forward Imru Duke, who was limited to 4pts & 1reb, for #11 Alcala (7-10) in a 78-88 loss to #13 Algeciras (5-12) in the Spain-LEB Silver, West Conference, on January 27. Alcala next play #3 Albacete (10-6) on February 3. Duke is averaging 13.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1bpg & 0.9spg: 61.4%2FPG, 28.6%3FPG & 52.9%FT.

Eleventh is US-born 6-9 forward/center Theo John with 2pts, 2rebs & 1ast for #4 Donar Groningen (8-6) in a 59-72 loss to #3 Zwolle (9-3) in Holland BNXT League on January 27. Groningen next play #2 ZZ Leiden (11-3) on February 3. John is averaging 11.7ppg, 7.1rpg, 2.5apg & 1.6bpg: 42.4%2FPG & 70.0% FT.

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