Gregory Echenique selected the top Venezuelan playing abroad in last week's games

Here is the weekly review of the top performing Venezuelan players, who play currently abroad.

Gregory Echenique

   #1. This week's number one is former international center Gregory Echenique (206-90, agency: Pensack Sports, college: Creighton, currently plays in Japan). He could not help Dragonflies (7-40) in their last game. Despite Echenique's very good performance the tenth-placed Dragonflies (7-40) lost 73-78 on the road to the higher-ranked (#8) Kyoto Hannaryz in the West group. He was the second best scorer with 18 points. Echenique also added 9 rebounds and 3 assists in 34 minutes on the court. It was Dragonflies' third consecutive loss in a row. Echenique has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 16.9ppg, 9.6rpg, 2.0apg, 2FGP: 61.4%(291-474) and FT: 75.3% in 47 games he played so far. Echenique played for the Venezuelan senior national team two years ago.

Jhornan Zamora

   #2. Second place goes to an international swingman Jhornan Zamora (196-89, currently plays in France). He was not able to help ALM Evreux (9-7) in their last game on Monday. Despite Zamora's very good performance ALM Evreux was edged 77-75 in Nancy by the second-ranked Sluc. He was the second best scorer with 15 points. Zamora also added 4 rebounds and dished 6 assists. Zamora has relatively good stats this season: 12.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.3apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 45.1%, 3FGP: 36.7% and FT: 76.9%. He has a dual citizenship: Spanish and Venezuelan. Ex-Broncos de Caracas player is in the roster of the Venezuelan senior national team.

Michael Carrera

   #3. The Venezuelan player who performed third best last week abroad was an international forward Michael Carrera (196-93, agency: Interperformances, college: S.Carolina, currently plays in Spain). Carrera was not able to secure a victory for Basquet (17-8) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Basquet (#4) lost 81-91 on the opponent's court to the lower-ranked (#5) Burgos in the Places 11-19 group. Carrera had a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 10 rebounds in 29 minutes. Carrera has very impressive stats this year: 16.0ppg, 6.9rpg, 2FGP: 59.7%(43-72), 3FGP: 21.9% and FT: 74.0% in nine games. Ex-Trotamundos de Carabobo player is also a member of the Venezuelan senior national team.

Luis Valera

   #4. An experienced power forward Luis Valera (202-88, college: UTRGV, currently plays in Spain) led Guadalajara to a victory over the ninth-ranked Lanzarote (3-14) 69-65 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Saturday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Valera scored 17 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Lujisa Guadalajara Basket (7-8) is placed fifth in Group B-B. It's Valera's first season with the team. This year he has very high stats. Valera averages: 17.0ppg and 6.5rpg. He used to play for the Venezuelan national team back in 2015.


The list of other players, who all have Venezuelan passport but never been selected to any of Venezuelan national teams:

   #1. Experienced Darwin Jaramillo (192-F-86, currently plays in El Salvador) led Santa Tecla to an easy victory against one of league's weakest teams Fantasmas (1-4) crushing them 112-83 in the Salvadorean Liga MB (second division) last Friday. Jaramillo had a double-double by scoring 15 points and getting 12 rebounds. He also added 3 assists in 38 minutes. Santa Tecla BC (7-0) is placed first in the Liga MB. So far his team won all seven games in the Regular Season. This year Jaramillo's overall stats are: 9.7ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.8apg and 1.2spg in six games he played so far.

   #2. Rafael Melgarejo (184-G-91, currently plays in Spain) led Sant Cugat to an easy victory against the sixth-ranked EM El Olivar (2-7) crushing them 81-60 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) on Saturday night. He scored 12 points, had 8 boards, dished 3 assists and stole 3 balls. UE Sant Cugat Negre (2-8) is placed seventh in Group C2. It was his team's first victory after six consecutive loses. They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. This season Melgarejo has relatively solid stats: 10.7ppg, 3.8rpg and 1.7apg.

   #3. Franger Pirela (187-F-2, currently plays in Spain). He could not help La Matanza (8-7) to beat Estudio (6-6). Pirela scored 9 points in 22 minutes. But La Matanza (#4) lost 93-102 on the road to the lower-ranked (#6) Estudio in the Group B-B. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. This year Pirela has relatively solid stats: 13.5ppg, 6.7rpg, 4.8apg and 2.4spg in 13 games.


Other top Venezuelan players, who play abroad:

Miguel Ruiz (197-F-90) plays for Gimnasia in Argentinian La Liga
Jesus Medina (188-G/F-94) plays for Titanes in Colombian LPB
David Cubillan (181-PG-87) plays for Huesca in Spanish LEB Gold
Jose Juan Bravo (202-C-86) plays for Quilicura in Chilean Liga Nacional
Juan Fontena (196-C-87) plays for CD Puerto Varas in Chilean Liga Nacional
Julio Miglionico (202-C-91) plays for ULB OH!TELS in Spanish EBA
Luis Gonzalez (200-C/F-85) plays for Sant Cugat in Spanish EBA
Antony Gonzalez (181-G-0) plays for Sol de Mayo in Argentinian Regional League

Notice: The list above includes only some of the Venezuelan playing currently abroad. Go to Venezuelan Abroad Page to see completed list.