Each week Aussie Hoopla shines a light on the best Aussie ballers currently plying their trade overseas.

Each week we award the player who had both the greatest impact on the stat sheet and the wins column.

Player Of The Week

Ben Simmons

Current Team: Brooklyn Nets (NBA)

Hometown: Melbourne, VIC

Last played in Australia: Australian Boomers (FIBA 2014)

Simmons stole the spotlight during Kyrie’s return from suspension with a season-high 22 points, helping the Nets (8-9) beat the Memphis Grizzlies (10-7) 127-115 on Sunday night and taking our international player of the week honours. Coming off his best game of the season against Portland (10-5), he shot 11-13 with eight assists and five rebounds in his first 20-point game while playing for the Nets (7-9), and looked to show glimpses of his former all-star self.

Wednesday, he made his long-awaited return to Philadelphia (9-8), and although losing to a Sixers team without Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, or James Harden, he did rack up  11 points, 11 assists, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. But the highlight likely to stick from the game will be him missing a pair of free throws to give the Sixers fans free Chick-fil-A.

During the Nets’ 112-98 victory over the Raptors (9-9) on Thursday, Simmons added 14 points, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in the second leg of a back-to-back. After the game, Simmons told reporters it’s the best he’s felt in terms of mobility since returning from injury.

The Nets (9-10) have won 3 of their last 4, and this week he averaged 15.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists on an impressive 80% shooting. He is also returning to his usual defensive performance, adding 2.3 steals and 1.6 blocks

Honourable Mentions

Nick Kay

Current Team: Shimane Susanoo Magic (Japanese B.League)

Hometown: Tamworth, NSW

Last played in Australia:  Perth Wildcats (NBL21)

Fresh off the Boomer’s trip to Kazakhstan for their ninth match in the qualifying stages for next year’s FIBA World Cup in Indonesia, Nick Kay continued his good form for the Shimane Susanoo Magic in the Japanese B.League as the season resumed after the FIBA break.

3rd rank Shimane (8-2) took control from the start in the first of two games against Sendai (3-7) last week, winning 95-62. With the game well in hand, Shimane emptied the bench early to rest the starters, but Kay contributed 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in 26 minutes.

Shimane held on against Sendai 92-87 the following day in the second meeting, which was much closer. Kay finished 1 assist short of a triple-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists, including a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line, and was the best player for the winners, who are now leading the league along with Ryukyu GK who they meet later this week.

Alex Ducas

Current Team: Saint Mary’s (NCAA)

Hometown: Geraldton, WA

Last played in Australia: Australian Boomers (FIBA 2022)

Alex Ducas and St Marys won three in a row this week. The first was a 72-54 win over Southern (0-3), where Ducas scored 14 points, including 4 for 7 from beyond the arc, and six rebounds in the win.

On Sunday, Ducas had 20 points in Saint Mary’s 76-48 victory against Hofstra (4-1). He made 6 for 7 from beyond the arc, where he is shooting 50% from 3 over 36 attempts over the first 6 games of the season. A strong week sees St Mary’s sitting on a 5-0 record to start the season.

In 2021/22, as a junior, Ducas averaged a career-high 10.3 points per game while shooting 38.7% from 3. Entering his senior year he has increased that to 13 points per game and is showing why his name is already on the whiteboards of every NBL team’s free-agent list for next season.

Josh Green

Current Team:  Dallas Mavericks (NBA)

Hometown: Sydney, NSW

Last played in Australia: Australian Boomers (FIBA 2021)

Josh Green had a career night last week against the Nuggets (10-6), scoring 23 points and making 6 of 7 from beyond the arc. The Mavs (9-7) fell to the short-handed Nuggets 97-98, despite team-high points from Green.

With Jalen Brunson leaving the Mavs via free agency this year, Green’s development is essential for the Mavs. Until this season, the former first-round pick 18 Guard had received mixed reviews when discussing whether he lived up to his draft position. His lack of consistent shooting stroke is a big part of that. He has increased his minutes this season, which has given him more confidence in his shot. As a result, he has improved his FG% and 3P% significantly. He has shot 52% from deep this year, compared to 35% last season.

Green’s continued improvement is key to fitting into his spot as the 3rd ball handler in Dallas, but his building confidence and the show of support from coach Jason Kidd and chemistry on the floor alongside Luka Doncic are all positive signs.

Taran Armstrong

Current Team:  California Baptist Lancers (NCAA)

Hometown:  Burnie, TAS

Last played in Australia:  North West Tasmania (NBL1 2022)

After their upset win against Washington (3-2) last week, where Armstrong led CBU (2-1) with 18 points and 6 assists for their first-ever victory over a Power Five school, the lancers were unlucky to fall to Minnesota (4-1) in a thrilling overtime game 62-61. Armstrong again led CBU (3-1) with 24 points, and 6 rebounds, shooting 5 from 9 from beyond the arc.

Minnesota opened the game on a 15-0 run, and Armstrong saw early foul trouble but came out blazing in the second half and overtime, scoring all 24 of his points and 6 rebounds in the second half, including the game-tying three, which eventually sent the game to overtime.

Armstrong is a 6′6″ guard, and due to his size, court vision, and creativity, has drawn some early Josh Giddey comparisons. Last season, as a freshman, Armstrong averaged 10.5 points off 39% shooting and 6.3 assists. To kick start his sophomore season he has increased that to 14.3 points this year, shooting at 50%

Shane Panther (4 Posts)

Melbourne United tragic, no self-control with food and drinks coffee black.