The 2018/19 American college basketball season begins in earnest in the coming days. Ahead of a deluge of action a few Kiwis have featured in pre season games this week for their NCAA Division I colleges.
Kayla Manirirangi go her season off to a flyer as Tulane University beat Loyola-New Orleans 80-49 on Thursday.
The Taranaki native and 2017 Tall Ferns triallist, in her third year at Tulane, dropped 20 points on 8 from 10 shooting and added 8 assists for good measure for the Green Wave.
One player who has pulled on the Tall Ferns singlet is Krystal Leger-Walker. The sophomore guard also made a strong start to the season with 6 points (4/6FG), 5 rebounds and 6 dimes. Picking KL-W will dish more dimes than any other Kiwi college player this season.
As last season the Fordham University Rams have three Kiwis in its lineup and all contributed to a first up win against New York Institute of Technology.
The Rams won 75-54 with Mary Goulding close to a double-double (8 points and 11 rebounds), Kendell Heremaia contributing 6 points and 3 rebounds and Zara Jillings remaining scoreless but dishing 2 assists to accompany 5 rebounds.
The first game is in the book for Book. Freshman Aimee Book came off the bench for California State University Fullerton as the Titans beat Concordia 69-44. Book was one of only three Titans to make a three and finished with 5 points (2/4FG) and a rebound.
Cantabrian Esra McGoldrick also made her NCAA Division I debut. North Carolina State Wolfpack comfortably beat Anderson University 83-57 with McGoldrick securing an offensive rebound and a steal in 8 minutes of court time.
We will have more news next week when most of the Kiwi college players are in action.
LACEY LOWDOWN 