Jules Bernard lands T&T Top Player Award

Here is the review of Trinidad and Tobago overseas-based players for week-ending 18 February 2024.

The Top Player Award goes to US-born 6-6 guard Jules Bernard Jr. in mixed result with #6 Capital City Go-Go in the NBA G League, Eastern Conference, on February 12 and 14, respectively. In the first game, Bernard had a game high 26pts & 4asts in 101-121 loss to #2 College Park Skyhawks (22-14). Two days after, Bernard contributed 21pts, 6rebs & 7ast in a 115-99 victory against #8 Westchester Knicks (19-18). Capital City (19-16) next play Western Conference #4 Capitanes Ciudad de México (19-13) and Eastern #11 Wisconsin Herd (17-19) on February 26 and 28, respectively. Bernard is averaging 20.6ppg, 6.2rpg, 3.5apg & 1.2spg: 54.7%2FPG, 35.0%3FPG & 91.2%FT in the G League. Meanwhile, in three NBA games with Washington Wizards he has 0.7ppg & 50.0%2FPG from an average of 5.3mins per game.

Second is 6-9 forward/center Jabari Narcis, who helped his new team #12 Shanan United (16-22), with back-to-back wins over #9 Tachikawa Dice (21-17) in Japan B-3 League. Narcis previously played with Ehime OV in Japan B-2 League. On February 16, Narcis debuted with a double-double 15pts & team high 10rebs plus 1blk in an 85-72 result. The following day, he had 7pts, 6rebs, 1ast & 1blk in a comfortable 80-59 victory. Shanan United next play #12 Tokyo (16-12) on February 24 and 25. In two games with Shanan, Narcis is averaging 11.0ppg, 8.0rpg & 1.0bpg: 40.0%2FPG, 62.5%3FPG & 37.5%FT. Previously, Narcis averaged 8.2ppg & 8.5rpg: 54.5%2FPG, 29.2%3FPG & 48.6% FT in Japan B-2 League.

Third is US-born 6-9 forward/center Theo John with a shared team high 15pts, 6rebs,1ast, 2blks & game high 6stls for #4 Donar Groningen (8-8) but in a losing effort, 62-70, against #6 Feyenoord (6-10) in Holland BNXT League on February 17. John is averaging 11.7ppg, 10.0rpg, 4.0apg, 1.3bpg & 1.3spg: 42.4%2FPG & 70.0% FT.

Fourth is Canada-born 6-3 guard John Cody, who enjoyed a 2-1 record, with Sudbury Five in the Canada-BSL during the week. In the first game, Cody contributed 11pts, 2rebs & 2asts in 14mins court time as Sudbury edged #4 Windsor Express (6-4) 113-112 on February 15. Two days later, he tallied 13pts, 3rebs & 3asts in a 108-113 loss to #2 Kitchener – Waterloo Titans (KWT). In the third game, Cody chipped in with 5pts in a 99-89 victory over #6 Montreal Toundra (5-8). Third ranked Sudbury (8-3) will meet KWT (9-6) again on February 25. Cody is averaging 13.4ppg, 2.5rpg & 1.7apg: 46.7%2FPG, 41.5%3FPG & 84.1%FT.

Fifth is 6-2 guard Zidane Moore with a double – double 14pts & 10 8rebs plus 3asts & 1stl, but in a losing effort, 80-99, with #10 Holbaek (3-17) against #6 Vaerlose (10-10) in Denmark-BasketLigaen on February 15. Moore is averaging 18.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 4.1apg & 1.4spg: 41.7%2FPG, 28.6%FPG & 71.3%FT.

Sixth is 6-8 forward Malique Lewis with 9pts, 10rebs, 1ast & 1stl as #4 Capitanes Ciudad de México (19-13) scored a 115-110 win over #6 Ontario Clippers (19-17) in the NBA G League, Western Conference on February 13. Capitanes next play Eastern Conference #9 Long Island Nets (18-17) on February 22 and 24. Lewis is currently averaging 8.1ppg, 6.1rpg & 1.1apg: 61.3%%2FPG, 28.6%3FPG & 66.7%FT.

Seventh is 6-8 forward Shakeil Bertrand with mixed results for Northeastern State University (NSU) in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Conference (MAIC), NCAA Division 2, on February 15 and 17. In the first game, Bernard was limited to one assist as NSU scored a one point victory, 62-61, over Missouri Western State University (16-12, 12-10 MAIC). In the other game, Bernard had 2pts, 1ast, 1blk & 1stl in a 56-73 loss to top ranked North Western Missouri University (29-2, 20-2). NSU, who has an overall record of 13-14 and 9-13 in the MAIC, will meet Missouri Western State University again on February 24 and University of Central Oklahoma (24-4, 18-4) on February 29. Bertrand is averaging 2.0ppg & 1.7rpg: 75.0%2FPG & 46.2%FT.

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