Luis Valera's double-double lands him Player of the Week award among Venezuelans playing currently abroad:

We bring you last week's top performances from Venezuelans who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.

Luis Valera

   #1. This week's number one is an experienced former international power forward Luis Valera (202-1988, college: UTRGV, currently plays in Spain). He was the major contributor in Guadalajara's victory against the 14th-ranked Chlorella (0-2) 104-91 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Saturday night's game. Valera had a double-double by scoring 28 points and getting 15 rebounds. He also added 2 blocks in 34 minutes on the court; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Valera's first season in pro basketball. Lujisa Guadalajara Basket (2-0) is placed third in Group B-B. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Valera has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 17.5ppg, 10.0rpg, 2FGP: 52.4% and FT: 83.3% in two games he played so far. Valera played for the Venezuelan senior national team year ago.

Gregory Echenique

   #2. Second place goes to former international center Gregory Echenique (206-1990, agency: Pensack Sports, college: Creighton, currently plays in Japan). He could not help Fukushima (1-6) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Echenique's good performance the seventh-placed Fukushima (1-6) were defeated 87-78 on the road by the second-ranked Chiba in the East group. He was the second best scorer with 14 points. Echenique also added 6 rebounds. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Echenique has relatively good stats this year: 13.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 2FGP: 65.2%(30-46) and FT: 68.9%. He played for the Venezuelan national team in 19.

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). Carrera led Lleida to a victory against the closely-ranked Melilla (0-3) 91-83 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) on Sunday night. He scored 17 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 30 minutes; not bad, considering it's only Carrera's first season in pro basketball. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. ICG Forca Lleida (3-1) is placed second in the LEB Gold. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Carrera has very impressive stats this year: 17.3ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 56.7%(17-30), 3FGP: 45.5% and FT: 83.3% in four games. Former Trotamundos de Carabobo starter played for the Venezuelan national team year ago.

Juan Coronado

   #4. Forward Juan Coronado (203-1990, college: Liberty, currently plays in Spain) contributed to a 2-point Cornella's victory against the tenth-ranked Huesca (1-3) 81-79 in the Spanish LEB Silver (third division) in Sunday night's game. He scored 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. CB Cornella (2-2) is placed sixth in East group. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Coronado's overall stats this season are: 5.0ppg and 6.3rpg. He has a dual citizenship: Croatian and Venezuelan. Coronado used to play for the Venezuelan national team back in 16.

Terry Bardasz

   #5. Former U18 international guard Terry Bardasz (188-2004, currently plays in Spain) was not able to help Porrino in their game against Gijon (2-1) in the Spanish EBA (fourth division). Bardasz recorded 5 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Porrino (#6) was defeated 93-83 at home by the higher-ranked Gijon (#4) in the Group A-B. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Bardasz's overall stats this season are: 2.7ppg and 2.7rpg. He used to play for the Venezuelan U18 national team years ago.


One more player who has never been selected to any of national teams, but has Venezuelan passport:

   #1. Franger Pirela (187-F-2002, currently plays in Spain) contributed to an easy victory against the 13th-ranked Talavera (1-3) crushing them 100-64 in the Spanish LEB Silver (third division) last Saturday. He recorded 6 points in only 11 minutes. It was his first game for Baskonia B this season. His team is placed tenth in West group. It was his team's first victory after three consecutive loses. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.


Other top Venezuelan players, who play abroad:

Fernando Fuenmayor (201-C/F-2000) plays for Obras in Argentinian La Liga
Carlos Milano (198-PF) plays for Concepcion in Chilean LNB
Luis Merida (190-SG) plays for Castro in Chilean LNB
Yanitson Quintero (201-PF-1998) plays for Osorno in Chilean LNB 2
Windi Graterol (204-C-1986) plays for Goes in Uruguayan LUB
Yolvier Romero plays for Puerto Montt in Chilean LNB
Joseph Campos (175-PG) plays for Puerto Montt in Chilean LNB
Cristhian Poleo (1992) plays for Boston College in Chilean LNB 2
Juan Fontena (196-F/C-1987) plays for Puerto Varas in Chilean LNB
Jean Vargas (182-F) plays for Quilicura in Chilean LNB 2
Fabrizio Pugliatti (200-G-2004) plays for RO SAzzurra in Italian Serie A2

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