Key players to watch in the Men's Division of the 2019 Pacific Games

The Pacific may be far from other basketball hotbeds in the world but it is not lacking in talent in one way or another.

Today, all of the brightest stars in the Pacific take center stage in a bid to fly their respective flags high in this prestigious quadrennial basketball showpiece.

So here are the top players to watch from eight different teams set to slug it out for the Pacific Games crown:

TAI WESLEY (GUAM)

Tai Wesley is Guam’s most decorated player, having stops in different ranks and leagues in the world.

A former Utah State stalwart, the 6-foot-7 forward was an NBL veteran for Southland Sharks, New Zealand Breakers, Wellington Saints and Melbourne United.

Also two-time NBL Champion and NZBL Champion, the 33-year old seasoned cager had latest stints for Brujos de Guayama in Puerto Rico and Southeast Melbourne Phoenix in Australia.

Proof of Wesley’s world-class caliber was his outing in Guam’s FIBA Asia Cup Pre-Qualifiers conquest with 13.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists.

LIAM WRIGHT (PAPUA NEW GUINEA)

Wright is the proof of Papua New Guinea's depth being the Melanesia Cup King.

Aside from Farmer, Wright who has improved by leaps and bounds is tipped to perform strongly for PNG behind Melanesia Cup averages of 7.0 points and 3.7 rebounds.

JONATHAN GALLOWAY (GUAM)

Galloway did not play in the Micronesia Games, paving way for the young core to take over and still win it all.

But make no mistake, Galloway will still be one of the players to watch for here in the Pacific.

After all, Galloway is an NCAA veteran, being a three-time Big West NCAA Defensive Player of the Year. He was also part of Guam's Gold Medal run in the 2015 Pacific Games.

ARII MUEUHL (TAHITI)

Mueuhl lifted Tahiti to the FIBA Polynesia Cup championship to make it to the Pacific Games for some unfinished business after just a bronze medal finish in 2015.

The 6-foot-5 forward led Tahiti in scoring, torching the opposing teams to the tune of 31.0 points per game while rounding out his effort with 7.0 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.

He also took home the MVP award for his sensational campaign.

JOHN DELAUNAY - BELLEVILLE (NEW CALEDONIA)

Young point guard Belleville is certainly New Caledonia’s future. He is one of the up and coming players in the Pacific today.

Amid his youth, Belleville has already shown readiness to carry the squad especially after tallying 13.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.7 steals in the Melanesia Cup to make it to the All-Star Five. 

MARCUS ALIPATE (TONGA)

Alipate is arguably the most explosive scorer, not only of Tonga but arguably in the entire Pacific.

Highlighting the return of Tonga in Pacific Games basketball, the former St. Thomas standout in the USA led the Polynesia Cup with a tournament-high 39.2 points per game while rounding out his scoring exploits with 5.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

ARON FARMER (PAPUA NEW GUINEA)

The 22-year old Farmer may be lacking in credentials like the other gunners had but that's the exactly the reason why it makes him dangerous in the upcoming Pacific Games.

The 6-foot-5 swingman Farmer did not play in the Melanesia Cup, forcing the other squads in guessing game once he takes on the hardwood.

One's thing for sure though, Farmer has the upside especially being a QBL team Cairns Marlins veteran.

THEO MCFARLAND (SAMOA)

At 6-foot-6, McFarland has what it takes to go neck-and-neck against other Pacific Games bigs especially with an astounding Polynesia Cup stint.

McFarland proved to be a dominating presence for Samoa in the FIBA Polynesia Cup as he averaged a double-double of 19.6 points and 11.8 rebounds on top of 2.2 steals to lead his team into Silver Medal finish behind Tahiti.

JOSHUA FOX (FIJI)

At 25-years young, the versatile forward is certainly one of the players to watch in the Pacific Games.

A University of California Davis standout, the 6-foot-6 wingman went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft but had taken his talents to the UK for the Cheshire Phoenix and Australia for the Hawke's Bay Hawks and the Ballarat Miners.

Fox impressed in his Fiji debut, registering 21.7 points and 17.3 rebounds in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Pre-Qualifiers.

MARCUS WHIPPY (FIJI)

Fox will not be alone in Fiji's Pacific Games quest as Whippy looms to be an able provider.

Also a member of the Melanesia Cup All-Star Five, Whippy is undoubtedly Fiji’s best player in the said tournament, norming impressive averages of 21.8 points and 8.5 rebounds through four games.

 

Photo FIBA Caption: Theo McFarland of Samoa