Aussie Basketballers are back running up and down the hardwood in stadiums all across Europe and the USA. Therefor it’s time to bring back our International Player of the Week.
Each week the AussieHoopla.com Player of the Week award goes to the Aussie who has had the greatest impact both on the stat sheet and their teams record. This weeks winner is….
Aussie Hoopla International Player of the Week
Brad Newley
Hometown: Lower Mitcham, SA
Current Team: – Gran Canaria (Spain – ACB, Euroleague)
Former Teams: Valencia Basket (Spain), BC Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania), Besiktas (Turkey), Townsville (NBL)
We haven’t mentioned Brad Newley’s name too often this year so it seems he decided to remind everyone he is still one of this country’s finest basketball talents with a dominant performance for Gran Canaria (6-2) this week. Newley was the game’s leading scorer, delivering 18 points as well as 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. This was Newley’s best game so far this season, and it came in a 73-52 victory against 15th-ranked Baloncesto Fuenlabrada (1-7). Brad Newley has been a huge addition for Gran Canaria who amazingly sits in second place in the ACB after a poor season last year where they finished 14th overall. Newley has averaged 12.5ppg, 4.5rpg and 1.5apg across the team’s first 8 games and has been a huge part of the team’s turn around.
|
MIN |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
PTS |
REBS |
AST |
STL |
BLKS |
TO |
|
30 |
7-12 |
4-6 |
0-0 |
18 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
Gran Canaria Vs Mad Croc Recap
Honourable Mentions
Aron Baynes
Hometown: Cairns, QLD
Current Team: Union Olimpija (Slovenia – Slovenian League, Adriatic League and Euroleague)
Former Teams: Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania), EWE Baskets Oldenburg (Germany) Ikaros Kallitheas (Greece)
At the start of the year we predicted Aron Baynes to have a very dominant year with new club Union Olimpija but even the team at AussieHoopla.com didn’t expect this. Aron Baynes has been close to the International Player of the Week every week so far and this week continued to be a huge force delivering 24 points and 6 rebounds he put up this week. Union Olimpjia (4-4) defeated lowly ranked Szolnok (2-7) 83-63 in the Adriatic League last Sunday. This was a much needed victory for Baynes as it was his team’s first victory after three consecutive loses. In what is Baynes first year in Slovenia he is averaging 10.5ppg and 3.9rpg thus far.
|
MIN |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
PTS |
REBS |
AST |
STL |
BLKS |
TO |
|
25 |
11-13 |
0-0 |
2-3 |
24 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
Aleks Maric
Hometown: Sydney, NSW
Current Team: Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia – VTB League, Eurocup)
Former Teams: Nebraska (NCAA), KK Partizan (Serbia), Panathinaikos (Greece)
This week Aleks Maric scored 19 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and made 2 blocks in 25 minutes for Lokomotiv Kuban in the VTB United League. It was an easy victory as Lokomotiv Kuban (2-2) crushed Enisey Krasnoyarsk (2-2) 93-64 in what was the team’s third consecutive victory. Maric has been a monster on the for his new team and currently leads the league in rebounds. He is averaging 12.2ppg, 10.2rpg and 1.6spg over five games.
|
MIN |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
PTS |
REBS |
AST |
STL |
BLKS |
TO |
|
25 |
8-12 |
0-0 |
3-4 |
19 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
David Andersen
Hometown: Frankston, VIC
Current Team: Fenerbahce Ulker (Turkey – TBL, Euroleague)
Former Teams: Montepaschi Siena (Italy), New Orleans Hornets (NBA), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Houston Rockets (NBA), CSKA Moscow (Euroleague), Wollongong Hawks (NBL),
David Andersen has taken his game to Turkey in order to capture his third Euroleague championship. Andersen filled the stat sheet this week with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals in 29 minutes. Although they are one of the favourites to win the Euroleague Fenerbahce Ulker (3-3) has started poorly and despite Andersen’s performance lost a 71-70 nail biter to fellow Aussie Matt Nielsen’s Khimky squad in group A of Euroleague. Nielsen also played well and had 9 points and 3 assists himself. This season Andersen has averaged 7.5ppg and 3.3rpg
|
MIN |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
PTS |
REBS |
AST |
STL |
BLKS |
TO |
|
29 |
6-11 |
1-1 |
4-6 |
17 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
Patty Mills
Hometown: Canberra, ACT
Current Team: San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
Former Teams: Xinjiang Flying Tigers (China), Melbourne Tigers (NBL), Portland Trailblazers (NBA), St Mary’s (NCAA)
Last week’s International Player of the Week Patty Mills continued his recent strong form during the San Antonio Spurs (8-2) 126-100 defeat of the Denver Nuggets (4-6). Mills recorded 10 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists. Mills has found minutes a struggle at times for the Spurs but performed well in his 20 minutes of court time. Patty Mills is currently averaging 5.3ppg and 1.2apg this year.
|
MIN |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
PTS |
REBS |
AST |
STL |
BLKS |
TO |
|
22 |
7-10 |
1-1 |
2-2 |
17 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2012 International Players of the Week
12/11/12 – Patty Mills – San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
29/10/12 – Aron Baynes (2) – Union Olimpija (Slovenia)
22/10/12 – Aron Baynes – Union Olimpija (Slovenia)