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

Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of Venezuelans who are currently playing 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 led Hiroshima Dragonflies to a victory over the ninth-ranked Kyoto Hannaryz (2-5) 85-70 in the Japanese B1 League in Saturday night's game. Echenique was MVP of the game. He recorded 20 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 28 minutes on the court. in group West. Hiroshima Dragonflies (6-1) are placed first. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Echenique has relatively good stats this year: 12.7ppg, 9.1rpg, 2FGP: 67.3%(37-55) and FT: 78.9% in seven games he played so far. He played for the Venezuelan senior national team two years ago.

Gregory Vargas

   #2. Second place goes to an experienced international point guard Gregory Vargas (182-86, currently plays in Israel). Vargas contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Hapoel Tel-Aviv (0-2) 93-77 in the Israeli Winner League last Saturday. He scored 12 points, made 4 passes and 3 steals. Hapoel B-Cure Laser Haifa (1-1) is placed eighth in the Winner League. But the season just started, so everything may happen. It's Vargas' first year with the team. This season Vargas averages: 8.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.0apg, 2.5spg, 2FGP: 14.3%, 3FGP: 44.4%. Ex-Protectores de Miranda BBC 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, college: S.Carolina, currently plays in Spain). He was the main contributor in Lleida's victory against the 16th-ranked Juaristi ISB (0-3) 91-86 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) on Sunday night. Carrera was the best player in that game. He scored 27 points (!!!), had 7 rebounds and made 3 blocks in 32 minutes. ICG Forca Lleida (3-1) is placed fifth in the LEB Gold. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Carrera has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 19.8ppg, 7.0rpg, 2FGP: 55.3%(21-38) and FT: 79.2% in four games. Ex-Trotamundos de Carabobo player is also a member of the Venezuelan senior national team.

Jhornan Zamora

   #4. Swingman Jhornan Zamora (196-89, currently plays in France) could not help one of league's weakest teams Saint-Quentin (2-3) in their last game on Friday. Despite Zamora's very good performance Saint-Quentin was defeated 79-73 on the road by the higher-ranked Saint Chamond (#4). He was the top scorer with 17 points. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It's Zamora's first year with the team. This season Zamora has very high stats. He averages: 19.0ppg, 3.0rpg and 1.5apg. Zamora has a dual citizenship: Spanish and Venezuelan. He used to play for the Venezuelan national team last year.

Angel Lugo

   #5. Former U16 international point guard Angel Lugo (181-99, currently plays in Spain) was the major contributor in Molina's victory against the eighth-ranked Ilicitano (0-4) crushing them 88-55 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) on Saturday night. Lugo scored 11 points. in Group E-C. Molina Basket (2-2) is placed sixth. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It's Lugo's first year with the team. His overall stats this season are: 7.3ppg and 3.3rpg. Lugo is another player who holds two passports: Venezuelan and Spanish. He used to play for the Venezuelan U16 national team six years ago.


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

   #1. Rafael Melgarejo (184-G-91, currently plays in Spain) led Sant Cugat to a victory against the tenth-ranked Pinta Castell (1-3) 88-80 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) last Saturday. Melgarejo scored 11 points in 20 minutes. in Group C-1. UE Sant Cugat Negre (1-3) is placed ninth. It was his team's first victory after three consecutive loses. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It's Melgarejo's first year with the team. This season his overall stats are: 7.5ppg and 3.0rpg in two games he played so far.

   #2. Wilmer Peraza (194-C-90, currently plays in Spain) contributed to a 3-point Azulejos' victory against the ninth-ranked Artes (1-3) 84-81 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Saturday night's game. Peraza scored 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 20 minutes. in Group C-3. Azulejos Moncayo CB Zaragoza (3-1) is placed fourth. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It's Peraza's first year with the team. This season his overall stats are: 6.3ppg, 6.0rpg and 1.7apg in three games.

   #3. Experienced Franger Pirela (187-F-2, currently plays in Spain) could not help Baskonia B (4-2) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Pirela's very good performance the fourth-placed Baskonia B (4-2) was edged 81-80 at home by the much lower-ranked Burgos Nissan (#11) in the Group A-A. He was the top scorer with 18 points. Pirela also added 5 passes. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It's Pirela's first year with the team. This season he has relatively solid stats: 10.2ppg, 3.2rpg and 2.5apg.


Other top Venezuelan players, who play abroad:

Fernando Fuenmayor (201-C/F-0) plays for Obras in Argentinian La Liga
Luis Valera (202-F/C-88) plays for Guadalajara in Spanish EBA
Juan Fontena (196-C-87) plays for Puerto Varas in Chilean Liga Nacional
Jose Sosa (203-PF-98) plays for Lliria in Spanish EBA
David Cubillan (181-PG-87) plays for UNIFACISA in Brazilian NBB
Luis Enrique Gonzalez (200-C/F-85) plays for Badalones in Spanish EBA
Oscar Argemi (200-G/F-98) plays for UE Horta in Spanish EBA

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