Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of Venezuelans who are currently playing abroad.
#1. This week's number one is an international forward
Michael Carrera (196-93, agency:
Duran International, college:
S.Carolina, currently plays in Germany). He could not help
Hamburg (8-5) in their last game. Despite Carrera's very good performance Hamburg lost
95-101 on the road to the lower-ranked (#8) BG Goettingen.
He was the top scorer with 31 points. Carrera also added 9 rebounds in 27 minutes on the court.
It's Carrera's first season with the team.
He has relatively good stats this year: 13.3ppg, 5.5rpg, 2FGP: 66.3%(55-83), 3FGP: 13.3% and FT: 78.9% in 11 games he played so far.
Carrera is a naturalized American.
He is currently a member of the Venezuelan senior national team. Carrera used to play for Trotamundos de Carabobo in Venezuelan league.
#2. Second place goes to an experienced international forward
Luis Bethelmy (200-86, currently plays in Uruguay). He was not able to help
Defensor (0-2) in their last game. Despite Bethelmy's good performance the sixth-placed Defensor (0-2) was edged
75-72 in a derby game by the second-ranked Olimpia in the Places 1-6 group.
He had a double-double by scoring 10 points and getting 14 rebounds. Bethelmy also added 3 assists in 31 minutes.
There are only three games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game will be critical.
This year Bethelmy averages: 9.5ppg, 6.8rpg, 3.5apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 76.9%(20-26), 3FGP: 15.0% in six games.
Ex-Cocodrilos de Caracas player is in the roster of the Venezuelan senior national team.
#3. The Venezuelan player who performed third best last week abroad was an international swingman
Pedro Chourio (186-90, agency:
Pro Sports, currently plays in Uruguay). Chourio led
Goes to a victory over the sixth-ranked Sayago (0-3) crushing them
109-65 in the Uruguayan LUB last Monday.
He was MVP of the game. Chourio scored 26 points (!!!) in 28 minutes.
Goes Montevideo (18-10) is placed in Places 7-12 group.
There are only two games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game is very crucial.
This year Chourio has relatively solid stats: 12.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.0apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 47.8%, 3FGP: 38.7% and FT: 83.3% in five games.
Ex-Trotamundos de Carabobo player is also a member of the Venezuelan senior national team.
#4. Power forward
Jose Ascanio (204-96, currently plays in Argentina) was the major contributor in
Atenas' victory against the seventh-ranked Progreso (10-19)
68-64 in the Argentinian La Liga Argentina (second division) last Wednesday.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and getting 13 rebounds. Ascanio also added 3 assists and 2 blocks.
Atenas de Patagones (12-21) is placed sixth in Conferencia Sur.
Ascanio's overall stats this season are: 8.4ppg and 4.9rpg.
He is also Venezuelan national team player.
#5. International center
Javinger Vargas (202-90, currently plays in Portugal) was not able to secure a victory for
Illiabum (6-16) in their last game. Despite Vargas' very good performance Illiabum was badly defeated
81-62 in Esgueira by the higher-ranked (#8) / Oli.
He was the top scorer with 16 points. Vargas also added 6 rebounds in 32 minutes.
It was Illiabum's fourth consecutive loss in a row.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important.
This year Vargas' overall stats are: 8.9ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.7apg and 1.1spg in 21 games.
He plays currently for the Venezuelan national team.
#6. Forward
Miguel Ruiz (197-90, currently plays in Argentina) couldn't help
CA Platense (4-18) in their game against Gimnasia (18-6) in the Argentinian La Liga.
Ruiz scored 6 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
CA Platense was defeated
69-63 in Comodoro Rivadavia by the second-ranked Gimnasia.
Ruiz's total stats this season are: 8.9ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.6apg and 1.3spg.
He is an international player who is currently on the senior Venezuelan National Team roster.
#7. International swingman
Jhornan Zamora (196-89, currently plays in France) managed to help ALM Evreux Basket in a victory against the tenth-ranked Denain Voltaire (11-11)
84-80 in the French ProB (second division) last Friday.
Zamora recorded 5 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 30 minutes.
ALM Evreux Basket (8-14) is placed 15th in the ProB.
They ended the series of four consecutive loses.
Zamora has reliable stats this year: 11.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 4.2apg and 1.1spg in 22 games.
He is also Venezuelan national team player.
#8. Power forward
Luis Valera (202-88, college:
UTRGV, currently plays in Spain) was the main contributor in
Azuqueca's victory against the fourth-ranked Quintanar (14-9)
66-59 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Saturday night's game.
He was the best player in that game. Valera recorded 16 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 28 minutes.
Isover Basket Azuqueca (12-10) is placed sixth in Group B.
Valera is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his fourth year in Azuqueca's roster.
He averaged so far 15.0ppg and 6.7rpg in 22 games.
Valera used to play for the Venezuelan national team
back in 2015.
#9. Former U16 international point guard
Carlos Paez (178-0, currently plays college basketball in the States) contributed to an
Austin Peay's victory against the Eastern Illinois University (9-9)
76-65 in the NCAA on Thursday night.
Paez scored only 3 points in 17 minutes.
The Austin Peay State University has a very good 14-4 conference record this season.
The Regular Season already ended in the NCAA.
This year Paez's total stats are: 6.7ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.6apg and 1.3spg in 32 games.
He used to play for the Venezuelan U16 national team
five years ago.
#10. Power forward
Adrian Espinoza Malave (210-97, currently plays in Argentina) contributed to
Independiente's victory against the seventh-ranked Sp.America (6-24)
88-83 in the Argentinian La Liga Argentina (second division) last Sunday.
He scored only 3 points in 8 minutes on the court.
Independiente BBC de Santiago del Estero (13-16) is placed fifth in Conferencia Noroeste.
Espinoza Malave has averaged so far 2.5ppg and 1.4rpg in 15 games.
He is an international player who is currently on the senior Venezuelan National Team roster.
The list of other players, who all have Venezuelan passport but never been selected to any of Venezuelan national teams: #1. Experienced
Donta Smith (201-SF-83, college:
SE Illinois JC, currently plays in France) led
Levallois to an easy victory against one of league's weakest teams Gravelines-Dunkerque (7-18) crushing them
88-63 in the French Jeep ELITE ProA last Friday.
He scored 12 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 5 assists.
Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans (18-7) is placed fourth in the Jeep ELITE ProA.
This season Smith averages: 8.7ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.6apg and 1.6spg.
He is a naturalized American.
Smith used to play for Marinos de Anzoategui in Venezuelan league.
#2. Juan Fontena (196-F-87, currently plays in Chile) led
CD Castro to a victory against the sixth-ranked CD Puerto Varas (16-16)
99-86 in the Chilean Liga Nacional in Sunday night's game.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 11 rebounds.
Club Deportes Castro (1-1) is placed third in Conferencia Sur.
Fontena's overall stats this season are: 9.0ppg, 6.8rpg and 1.4apg.
He has a dual citizenship: Venezuelan and Chilean.
#3. Gregory Curvelo (195-SF-90, currently plays in Argentina) could not help
Ciclista (9-20) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his very good performance Ciclista (#7) was crushed
112-76 on the road by the lower-ranked Progreso (#7) in the Conferencia Centro.
Curvelo was the top scorer with 18 points. He also added 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists.
Curvelo has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 17.5ppg, 8.8rpg and 1.1apg.
#4. Osbel Caraballo (196-F-98, currently plays in NCAA2) contributed to a
St. Thomas Aquinas College's surprising victory against the University of District of Columbia (5-7)
88-83 in the NCAA2 in Saturday night's game.
Caraballo recorded 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 35 minutes.
The St. Thomas Aquinas College has a very solid 12-2 record this season.
The Regular Season already ended in the NCAA2.
Caraballo has very impressive stats this year: 16.8ppg, 7.2rpg and 1.6apg in 28 games he played so far.
#5. Kelvin Caraballo (198-F-88, currently plays in Argentina) managed to help Union de Santa Fe to win against the seventh-ranked Tiro Federal (7-23)
94-80 in the Argentinian La Liga Argentina (second division) on Tuesday night.
Caraballo scored 5 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
Union de Santa Fe (19-10) is placed third in Conferencia Noreste.
Caraballo's total stats this season are: 7.8ppg and 6.1rpg.
#6. Jose Serrano (201-G/F-98, currently plays in NCAA2) was not able to help the
Eastern New Mexico University (4-6) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his good performance his team was edged
68-67 in Wichita Falls by the Midwestern State University.
Serrano recorded 13 points.
He averaged so far 10.4ppg, 3.9rpg and 1.1apg.
#7. Luis Rubianes (202-F/C-97, currently plays in Spain) helped
Chantada win their game against the 12th-ranked Xiria crushing them
78-53 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Saturday night's game.
Rubianes recorded only 4 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
Rubianes has averaged so far 3.3ppg and 3.3rpg.
