Sergio Mijares 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.


   #1. This week's number one is former U17 international center Sergio Mijares (1997, currently plays in Chile). He led Aleman to a victory over the 11th-ranked CD Espanol Osorno (1-2) 80-74 in the Chilean LNB 2 (second division) in Sunday night's game. Mijares was MVP of the game. He recorded 22 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists (made all of his five free throws) in 38 minutes on the court. CD Aleman Concepcion (0-2) is placed second in the LNB 2. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Mijares has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 19.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 3.0apg, 2FGP: 54.5%, 3FGP: 33.3% and FT: 81.8% in two games he played so far. Mijares played for the Venezuelan U17 national team year ago.

Gregory Vargas

   #2. Second place goes to an experienced former international point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986, agency: Pro Sports, currently plays in Israel). He could not help Hapoel Haifa (13-14) in their last game. Despite Vargas' good performance the sixth-placed Hapoel Haifa (13-14) was crushed 107-85 on the road by the higher-ranked (#3) Bnei Hasharon in the Places 1-6 group. He recorded 11 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists in 34 minutes. It was Hapoel Haifa's fifth consecutive loss in a row. Vargas has relatively good stats this year: 10.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 6.2apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 43.0%, 3FGP: 35.5% and FT: 71.6% in 28 games. Former Protectores de Miranda BBC starter played for the Venezuelan national team in 21.

Michael Carrera

   #3. The Venezuelan player who performed third best last week abroad was former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, agency: BIG, college: S.Carolina, currently plays in Spain). He was the main contributor in Lleida's victory against one of league's weakest teams Palma (11-23) 89-82 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) last Friday. Carrera was the best player in that game. He had a double-double by scoring 26 points and getting 10 rebounds in 30 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Carrera's first season in pro basketball. ICG Forca Lleida (21-11) is placed third in the LEB Gold. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Carrera has very impressive stats this year: 17.8ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 54.1%, 3FGP: 29.6% and FT: 76.3% in 31 games. Former Trotamundos de Carabobo starter played for the Venezuelan national team year ago.

Heissler Guillent

   #4. Point guard Heissler Guillent (186-1986, currently plays in Colombia) contributed to a 3-point Titanes' victory against the closely-ranked Cafeteros (7-4) 87-84 in the Colombian LPB on Monday night. He scored 14 points and added 9 passes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Titanes de Barranquilla (10-0) is placed first in the LPB. So far his team won all ten games in the Regular Season. They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. This season Guillent has relatively solid stats: 13.3ppg, 3.9rpg, 6.7apg and 1.7spg. He used to play for the Venezuelan national team back in 22.

Gregory Echenique

   #5. Former international center Gregory Echenique (206-1990, agency: Pensack Sports, college: Creighton, currently plays in Japan) was the major contributor in a Hiroshima Dragonflies' victory against the leader Ryukyu GK (47-7) crushing them 86-57 in the Japanese B1 League in Sunday night's game. Echenique had a double-double by scoring 11 points and getting the same number of rebounds in 23 minutes. Hiroshima Dragonflies (29-27) are placed fifth in West group. The Regular Season already ended. This year Echenique's overall stats are: 10.0ppg, 6.4rpg and 1.2apg in 51 games. He used to play for the Venezuelan national team years ago.

Nestor Colmenares

   #6. Center Nestor Colmenares (200-1987, also represented by Pro Sports, college: Campbellsville, currently plays in Uruguay) was not able to help Goes (18-10) in their last game on Friday. Despite Colmenares' good performance his team was edged 96-94 in a derby game by the leading Aguada. He recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points and getting 18 rebounds. Colmenares also added and 3 steals. Colmenares has reliable stats this season: 13.5ppg, 11.0rpg, 2.5apg and 1.6spg. He is a former international player as he played for the Venezuelan senior team year ago.

Jesus Medina

   #7. Former U17 international swingman Jesus Medina (188-1994, currently plays in Colombia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Heissler Guillent. But that was another game of his team in Colombian LPB which we would like to mention. Medina contributed to an easy victory against the league outsider Tigrillos (1-9) crushing them 83-59. He scored 8 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 29 minutes. Titanes de Barranquilla (10-0) is placed first in the LPB. So far his team won all ten games in the Regular Season. This year Medina's total stats are: 6.4ppg, 3.1rpg and 2.5apg in 10 games. He used to play for the Venezuelan U17 national team years ago.

Jhornan Zamora

   #8. Swingman Jhornan Zamora (196-1989, currently plays in France) contributed to Saint-Quentin's victory against the 11th-ranked Aix-Maurienne (15-19) 70-64 in the French ProB (second division) in Friday night's game. Zamora recorded 11 points. Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball (7-3) is placed third in the ProB. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important. Zamora's stats this season are: 12.1ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.4apg and 1.6spg. He used to play for the Venezuelan national team back in 22.


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

   #1. Luis Merida (190-SG-1992, currently plays in Chile) was the major contributor in Castro's victory against the league leader Puerto Varas (9-1) 93-87 in the Chilean LNB last Monday. He scored 22 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 4 assists. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Club Deportes Castrois placed in the LNB. Merida's overall stats this season are: 9.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.0apg and 1.5spg.

   #2. Maolin Colina (190-SG-1990, currently plays in Colombia) led Bucaros to a victory over the closely-ranked Corsarios (4-7) crushing them 93-70 in the Colombian LPB in Friday night's game. He was the best player in that game. Colina recorded 18 points. Bucaros de Bucaramanga (6-3) is placed third in the LPB. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Colina's overall stats this season are: 9.8ppg and 2.6rpg.

   #3. Dario Castro (206-C-1991, currently plays in Colombia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Maolin Colina and both played together in the last Colombian LPB game. Castro contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Corsarios (4-7) crushing them 93-70. He recorded 6 points in 15 minutes. Castro has averaged so far 1.1ppg and 1.4rpg in eight games he played so far.

   #4. Experienced Jesus Martinez (206-F/C-1986, currently plays in Colombia) contributed to an easy victory against one of league's weakest teams Storm (3-6) crushing them 93-70 in the Colombian LPB on Friday night. He recorded a double-double by scoring 10 points and getting the same number of rebounds. Cafeteros de Armenia (7-4) is placed second in the LPB. The Regular Season already ended. Martinez has averaged so far 9.6ppg, 8.6rpg and 1.5bpg.

   #5. Fernando Lucena (185-PG-1986, currently plays in Colombia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Jesus Martinez. But that was another game of his team in Colombian LPB which we would like to mention. Lucena could not help one of league's weakest teams Cafeteros (7-4) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Cafeteros was edged 87-84 on the road by the leading Titanes. Lucena scored 15 points in 25 minutes. Lucena has averaged so far 8.5ppg and 1.6rpg in 11 games. He has a dual citizenship: Venezuelan and Colombian.

   #6. Joseph Campos (175-PG-1996, college: West LA, currently plays in Chile) was not able to help Stadio Italiano (0-3) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Campos' good performance Stadio Italiano was defeated 84-73 in Valparaiso by the higher-ranked Arabe de (#9). He recorded a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting 11 rebounds. It was his first game for Stadio Italiano this season.

   #7. Hector Diaz (192-SG-1992, currently plays in Colombia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Jesus Martinez. He played also in the last Colombian LPB game facing Fernando Lucena (above) in the other team. Diaz was not able to secure a victory for one of league's weakest teams Cafeteros (7-4) in their last game. Despite his good performance Cafeteros was edged 87-84 in Barranquilla by the leading Titanes. Diaz scored 12 points in a mere 15 minutes. Diaz has averaged so far 8.5ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.4apg and 1.1spg in 11 games. He is another player who holds two passports: Venezuelan and Colombian.

   #8. Franger Pirela (187-F-2002, currently plays in Spain) managed to help Grupo Eleyco Baskonia B team to win against the leader Gandia 68-53 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Saturday night's game. Pirela scored only 2 points, had 6 rebounds and dished 3 assists. Pirela has averaged so far 9.7ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.5apg and 1.3spg.