LACEY LOWDOWN

Jayden Bezzant

Continuing our preview of the 2019-20 US college basketball season we take a look at the New Zealand men playing NCAA Division II hoops.

In 2018-19 there were 21 Kiwi men at NCAA Division II colleges – for the 2019-20 season that number has dropped to 18 but still well above the 11 that were playing in 2017-18.

Combined Division I and II there are 38 Kiwi men at US colleges this season.

Seniors

 Jayden Bezzant (Northwest Nazarine University)

Season 18/19 Games 26, Starts 8, Points 341 (13.1ppg), Rebounds 54 (2.1rpg), Assists 55 (2.1)

Has scored 944 career points for the Nighthawks in 77 games played.

From Tauranga attended St John’s College, Hamilton.

Isaac Davidson (Sonoma State University)

Season 18/19 Games 27, Starts 23, Points 375 (13.9ppg), Rebounds 121 (4.5rpg)

Last season led Sonoma in 3-point shooting percentage making 39 from 86 at 45.4%.

Like sister, Tall Fern Penina Davidson, Isaac attended Rangitoto College.

Logan Elers (South Dakota School of Mines)

Season 18/19 Games 30, Starts 0, Points 359 (12.0ppg), Rebounds 189 (6.3rpg), Assists 65 (3.2)

Out of Rotorua Boys High School Elers had highs of 21 points, 18 rebounds and 7 assists for South Dakota last season playing alongside fellow Kiwi Wilfred Dickson.

Juniors

Wilfred Dickson (South Dakota School of Mines)

Season 18/19 Games 30, Starts 1, Points 123 (4.1ppg), Rebounds 44 (1.5rpg)

From Napier Boys High School Dickson is playing alongside Logan Elers for South Dakota School of Mines Rockers.

Patrick Robertson (University of Maine at Augusta)

Season 18/19 Games 22, Starts 0, Points 55 (2.5ppg), Rebounds 44 (2.0rpg)

A shooting guard Robertson is out of Rosmini College although he spent his final year in high school at Rotorua Boys High.

Sophomores

 Mandela Baledrokadroka (Davis & Elkins College)

Season 18/19 Games 6, Starts 6, Points 85 (14.2ppg), Rebounds 45 (7.5rpg), Assists 28 (4.7apg)

Former Mt Albert Grammar School standout with one of the coolest names in Kiwi basketball.

 Conor Flanagan (University of West Florida)

 The former Auckland Grammar School centre will play alongside Johnny Helu for the superbly named Argonauts – sat out last year due to injury incurred at NZ U23 Nationals.

Expected to play substantial minutes this season.

Tom Higgins

Tom Higgins ( Texas A&M International)

Season 18/19 Games 26, Starts 12, Points 91 (3.5ppg), Rebounds 81 (3.1rpg)

Before completing his high school studies at Auckland Grammar School Higgins attended Te Awamutu College. Scored a season high 16 points against St Mary’s, Texas in his freshman year.

Played for the Junior Tall Blacks at the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup in Greece.

Josh Lowe (Lee University)

Season 18/19 Games 23, Starts 0, Points 59 (2.6ppg), Rebounds 38 (1.7rpg)

The rangy forward spent time at Impact Academy in Florida after graduating from Ashburton College.

Oscar Oswald

Oscar Oswald (St Edwards University)

Season 18/19 Games 6, Starts 0

The former Palmerston North Boys High standout will unfortunately have to redshirt the 2019-20 season after undergoing ACL surgery.

Played for the Junior Tall Blacks at the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup in Greece.

Tom Power (University of Hawaii at Hilo)

Season 18/19 Games 26, Starts 1, Points 31 (1.2ppg), Rebounds 41 (1.6rpg)

The former Hamilton Boys High forward is well regarded at Hilo where he played in all 26 games for the Vulcans last season as a freshman.

Tom Power

Freshmen

Matt Brien (University of Nebraska at Kearney)

Attended St Kevin’s in Oamaru before finishing high school at St Pat’s College, Wellington. Then spent a year at OnPoint Academy in El Reno, USA.

 Kurt Feneon (Christian Brothers University)

Formerly of Christchurch Boys High School and Mainland Eagles Academy.

Will Heather (Dallas Baptist University)

The former Rosmini College centre missed the 2018-19 season due to shoulder surgery.

Played for New Zealand at the 2017 FIBA U18 3×3 World Cup in China.

Sione Johnny Helu (University of West Florida)

Out of Wellington College Helu will play alongside Conor Flanagen for the West Florida Argonauts. He was MVP at 2019 U23 Nationals playing for Hutt Valley.

Tyler Marsh (St Cloud State University)

A product of Waimea College, Nelson and Mainland Eagles Academy.

Oscar Robertson (Regis University)

Out of New Plymouth Boys High School played for New Zealand at the 2017 FIBA U17 Oceania Championships in Guam.

Thomas Whyte (Assumption College)

After graduating from Auckland Grammar School attended St Thomas More Prep School in the States for a year.

Played 3×3 Basketball for New Zealand at 2018 Youth Olympics in Argentina.