Devaughn Akoon-Purcell reclaims T&T Top Player Award

Here is the review of Trinidad and Tobago overseas-based players who were active for week-ending 2 February 2025.

The Top Player Award goes to 6-5 swingman Devaughn Akoon-Purcell with two victories for UNICS in Russia VTB United League. On January 28, Akoon-Purcell filled the stats sheet with 20pts, 6reb, 6ast & 4ast in a 112-87 derby game against #9 Enisey (10-19). In the other game, Akoon-Purcell contributed 9pts, 1reb & 5ast as 3rd ranked UNICS (25-5) smashed 6th ranked N.Novgorod (13-16) 87-67 on February 2. UNICS will meet #7 Parma-Pari (13-16) in the next round on February 5. Akoon-Purchell is averaging 15.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.9apg & 1.1spg: 49.4%2FPG, 30.9%3FPG & 90.1% FT.

Second is 6-4 shooting guard Khadeen Carrington with mixed results for Hapoel Jerusalem. In the first game, Carrington scored 15pts, 2reb, 4ast & 2stl as #2 Israeli H.Jerusalem (10-7) scored a convincing 94-67 road win over 5th ranked French Bourg (9-8) in the Eurocup on January 29. H.Jerusalem will face #3 Turk Telekom (10-7) in Ankara on February 5. In other game, Carrington scored a team high 18pts, 3reb, 2ast & 1stl guiding 3rd ranked H. Jerusalem (13-3) to a narrow 88-85 victory over #12 Kiryat Ata (4-12) in the Israel-Winner League on February 2. H. Jerusalem next play #9 H.Gilboa Galil (6-9) on February 16. In the Israel-Winner League, Carrington is averaging 14.2ppg, 3.0rpg & 2.5apg: 42.1%2FPG, 30.3%3FPG & 89.8% FT. In the Euro Cup, he has 17.0ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.5apg & 1.0spg: 46.2%2FPG, 71.4%3FPG & 70.0% FT. Rnk 16 & 16

Third is 6-2 guard Zidane Moore who had two impressive performances but in a losing effort for SO Maritime Boulogne in France France-NM1. In game one, Moore scored 14pts, 3reb, 2ast & 2stl as higher ranked Boulogne (12-10) lost to 11th ranked Loon-Plage (10-12) in Boulogne-sur-Mer 71-81 on January 28. In the second game, Moore had shared team high 19pts, shared game high 4ast & 2stl but 5th ranked Boulogne (12-11) still went under 77-73 to third ranked Orchesien BC (15-8) on January 31. Boulogne will play against #12 Berck/Rang Du Fliers (8-15) on February 4. Moore is currently averaging 16.5ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.0apg & 2.0spg: 87.5%%2FPG, 50.0%3FPG & 50.0%FT.

Fourth is 6-9 power forward Imru Duke with 16pts, shared team high 5reb & game high 2blk as 12th ranked Gandia (6-10) suffered an 83-97 loss to #2 Sant Antoni (11-4) in Spain-Segunda FEB on February 1. Gandia will meet #13 Santfeliuenc (2-13) on February 8. Duke is averaging 8.8ppg, 4.3rpg & 1.1bpg: 51.8%2FPG, 16.7%3FPG & 69.2%FT.

Fifth is 6-8 forward Malique Lewis with mixed results for SE Melbourne Phoenix in Australia-NBL. In game one on January 31, Lewis had 10pts, 2reb & 2ast in a slender 99-100 road loss to third ranked Pert Wildcats (17-11). Next game, Lewis chipped in with 4pts & 4reb in fifth ranked Phoenix's (16-12) home victory over 6th ranked Adelaide 36ers (13-15) 105-99 on February 2. SE Melbourne will travel for a derby match against #2 Melbourne United (18-10) in the next round on February 8. Lewis is currently averaging 6.9ppg & 4.0rpg: 55.7%%2FPG, 29.8%3FPG & 67.4%FT.

Sixth is Canadian-born 6-3 guard Cody John in two losses with Manchester in the UK Super League Basketball. In the first game, John scored 13pts in an 83-75 loss to second ranked Sheffield Sharks (11-4). In the second game, John had 4pts & 1reb as 6th ranked Manchester (5-9) went under 89-85 to 5th ranked Newcastle Eagles (7-7) on February 2. Manchester will play against top ranked London Lions. (11-4) on the road on February 7. John is averaging 6.7ppg: 51.7%2FPG, 43.5%3FPG & 87.5%FT.

Seventh is US-born 5-8 point guard Tyrell Gomez with 4pts, 2reb, 4ast & 1stl as 3rd ranked Chorale de Roanne (15-7) loss on the road 87-78 against #7 Poitiers (12-10) in France Pro-B League on January 31. Roanne will have a break next round. Gomez is averaging 11.5ppg, 1.3rpg & 4.1aspg: 58.0%2FPG, 39.0%3FPG & 87.8%FT.

Eight is 6-7 swingman Zeke Moore with 5pts, 2reb & 2ast as 15th ranked Hyeres-Toulon (8-14) was outscored at home by sixth ranked Pau-Lacq-Orthez (13-9) 99-73 in France Pro-B League on January 31. Hyeres-Toulon next play against #16 Chalons-Reims (8-14) and #18 Fos-sur-Mer (7-15) on February 4 and 7 respectively. Moore is averaging 15.3ppg, 3.0rpg & 1.2apg: 50.0%2FPG, 41.8%3FPG & 88.9%FT.

Ninth is 7-0 center Johnny Hamilton who was limited to one block shot in five minutes court time as 14th ranked Lleida (6-13) was defeated 91-75 by close rivals #12 Surne Bilbao (7-12) in Spain - Liga Endesa on February 2. Lleida will play against the league's leader Real Madrid (15-4) on February 9. Hamilton is averaging 2.5ppg & 2.3rpg: 50.0%2FPG, 0.0%3FPG & 100.0% FT.

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