View source for Kirk Penney

{{short description|New Zealand basketball player}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=October 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Kirk Penney
| image = Kirk Penney.JPG
| caption = Penney with [[Maccabi Tel Aviv (basketball)|Maccabi Tel Aviv]] in 2005
| height_cm = 196
| weight_kg = 98
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1980|11|23}}
| birth_place = [[Auckland]], New Zealand
| highschool = [[Westlake Boys High School|Westlake Boys]]<br>(Auckland, New Zealand)
| college = [[Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball|Wisconsin]] (1999–2003)
| draft_year = 2003
| career_start = 1998
| career_end = 2018; 2022
| career_number = 6, 20
| career_position = [[Shooting guard]] / [[small forward]]
| years1 = 1998–2000
| team1 = [[Harbour Heat|North Harbour Kings]]
| years2 = {{nbay|2003|start}}
| team2 = [[Miami Heat]]
| years3 = 2003–2004
| team3 = [[CB Gran Canaria|Gran Canaria]]
| years4 = 2004
| team4 = [[Asheville Altitude]]
| years5 = {{nbay|2004|full=y}}
| team5 = [[Los Angeles Clippers]]
| years6 = 2005
| team6 = Asheville Altitude
| years7 = 2005–2006
| team7 = [[Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C.|Maccabi Tel Aviv]]
| years8 = 2006–2007
| team8 = [[BC Žalgiris|Žalgiris Kaunas]]
| years9 = 2007
| team9 = [[ALBA Berlin]]
| years10 = 2007–2010
| team10 = [[New Zealand Breakers]]
| years11 = 2010
| team11 = [[Sioux Falls Skyforce]]
| years12 = 2010–2011
| team12 = New Zealand Breakers
| years13 = 2011–2012
| team13 = [[Baloncesto Fuenlabrada]]
| years14 = 2012–2013
| team14 = [[TED Ankara Kolejliler]]
| years15 = 2013–2014
| team15 = [[Trabzonspor Basketball|Trabzonspor]]
| years16 = 2015
| team16 = [[CB Sevilla|Baloncesto Sevilla]]
| years17 = 2015–2016
| team17 = [[Illawarra Hawks]]
| years18 = 2016–2018
| team18 = New Zealand Breakers
| years19 = 2022
| team19 = [[Auckland Tuatara (basketball)|Auckland Tuatara]]
| highlights = 
* [[List of NBL champions|NBL champion]] (2011)
* [[NBL Most Valuable Player Award|NBL Most Valuable Player]] (2009)
* 4× [[All-NBL Team|All-NBL First Team]] (2008–2011)
* [[All-NBL Team|All-NBL Second Team]] (2016)
* 3× [[List of National Basketball League (Australia) annual scoring leaders|NBL scoring champion]] (2009–2011)
* [[New Zealand NBL Most Outstanding Kiwi Guard Award|NZNBL Most Outstanding Kiwi Guard]] ([[1999 New Zealand NBL season|1999]])
* [[New Zealand NBL Rookie of the Year Award|NZNBL Rookie of the Year]] ([[1998 New Zealand NBL season|1998]])
* 2× [[Turkish Basketball League|TBL]] All-Star (2013, 2014)
* 2× TBL Three-Point Shootout champion (2013, 2014)
* [[Lietuvos krepšinio lyga|Lithuanian LKL]] champion (2007)
* Lithuanian LKF Cup winner (2007)
* [[Baltic Basketball League|Baltic League]] All-Star (2007)
* [[Israeli Basketball Premier League|Israeli League]] champion (2006)
* [[Israeli Basketball State Cup]] winner (2006)
* [[List of NBA G League champions|NBA D-League champion]] (2005)
* [[Associated Press|AP]] honorable mention [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] ([[2003 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|2003]])
* 2× First-team All-[[Big Ten]] (2002, 2003)
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalCountry|{{NZL}}}}
{{MedalSport | Men's [[Basketball]]}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[FIBA Oceania Championship|Oceanian Championship]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2009|2009 Oceania]] | [[New Zealand national basketball team|National team]]}}
}}
'''Kirk Samuel Penney''' (born 23 November 1980) is a New Zealand former professional [[basketball]] player. He is the all-time leading scorer for [[New Zealand men's national basketball team|New Zealand's national team]] and he ranks 12th all-time in points scored at the [[FIBA Basketball World Cup|FIBA World Cup]]. In 2024, he was inducted in the [[FIBA Hall of Fame]].

Penney played four years of [[college basketball]] for the [[Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball|Wisconsin Badgers]] between 1999 and 2003, he was twice named first-team all-conference and as an all-American. He became the second New Zealander in the [[NBA]] when he appeared briefly for the [[Miami Heat]] in 2003 and the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] in 2005. He went on to play professionally in Spain, the NBA Development League, Israel, Lithuania, Germany and Turkey. He also played six seasons for the [[New Zealand Breakers]] of the Australian [[National Basketball League (Australia)|National Basketball League]] (NBL). He was named the [[NBL Most Valuable Player Award|NBL MVP]] in 2009, named to the [[All-NBL Team|All-NBL First Team]] four times, led the NBL in scoring three times and won an NBL championship with the Breakers in 2011.

Penney represented New Zealand at the [[2000 Summer Olympics|Sydney]] and [[2004 Summer Olympics|Athens]] Olympics and averaged 16.9 points at the World Championships in Indianapolis in 2002 and 24.7 points at the World Championships in Turkey in 2010.

==Early life==
Born in the [[Auckland]] suburb of [[Milford, New Zealand|Milford]], Penney attended [[Westlake Boys High School]] and played junior basketball for the North Harbour Basketball Association, joining their [[National Basketball League (New Zealand)|New Zealand NBL]] team, the [[Harbour Heat|North Harbour Kings]], in [[1998 New Zealand NBL season|1998]] as a 17-year-old. He earned [[New Zealand NBL Rookie of the Year Award|NZNBL Rookie of the Year]] honours that year and helped the Kings reach the grand final.<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/4878398/NBL-returns-to-Final-Four-finals-format NBL returns to Final Four finals format]</ref> He also played for the Kings in [[1999 New Zealand NBL season|1999]] and [[2000 New Zealand NBL season|2000]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plug.co.nz/sport/basketball/newsletter13.htm |title=Penney Goes to the US |work=plug.co.nz |date=15 April 1999 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991009003104/http://www.plug.co.nz/sport/basketball/newsletter13.htm |archive-date=9 October 1999}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10125449 Basketball: NBA hopeful keen to play in Tall Blacks series]</ref>

==College career==
As a freshman playing for the [[Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball|Wisconsin Badgers]] during the 1999–2000 season, Penney had a minimal role under coach Dick Bennett, but still helped his team reach the [[2000 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Final Four]] while averaging 3.7 points and 1.4 rebounds in 34 games. As a sophomore in 2000–01, he averaged 11.2 points per game and was the second-leading scorer on the team.<ref name=fox>[http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/all-bo-ryan-starting-5-kirk-penney-071514 All-Bo Ryan starting 5: Kirk Penney]</ref>

As a junior in 2001–02 playing for coach Bo Ryan, Penney was the team's leading scorer. He averaged 15.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and teamed with point guard [[Devin Harris]] to guide the Badgers to a share of the Big Ten title. Penney subsequently earned first-team All-[[Big Ten]] honours in 2001–02.<ref name="fox" />

As a senior in 2002–03, Penney was again the team's leading scorer. He averaged 16.2 points and was second on the team with 6.0 rebounds per game, as Wisconsin won the Big Ten regular-season title outright. For his senior-year efforts, Penney earned first-team All-Big Ten honours again and was named an honorable mention All-American. His 217 career three-point field goals made ranks third in programme history.<ref name="fox" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/kirk-penney-1.html |title=Kirk Penney Stats |work=Sports-Reference.com |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref>

==Professional career==

===NBA and Europe (2003–2007)===
Penney was not drafted in the star-studded [[2003 NBA draft]] but joined the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] in July that year for the [[Orlando Pro Summer League]] where he led the league in three-point shooting. On 1 September 2003, he signed with the Timberwolves, but did not make the team's final roster as he was waived on 23 October prior to the start of the [[2003–04 NBA season]]. On 3 November, he signed with the [[Miami Heat]] and made his NBA debut that same day, scoring three points in 14 minutes of action against the [[Dallas Mavericks]]. Penney became the second New Zealander (after [[Sean Marks]]) to play in the NBA. The following day, he made his second appearance for the Heat, but record no stats in just four minutes of action against the [[San Antonio Spurs]].<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/penneki01/gamelog/2004/ Kirk Penney 2003–04 Game Log]</ref> On 7 November, he was waived by the Heat after the team signed [[Tyrone Hill]] instead.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat_signs_hill_031107.html HEAT Signs Tyrone Hill, Asks Waivers on Kirk Penney]</ref>

Following his release from the Heat, Penney moved to Spain and signed with [[CB Gran Canaria|Gran Canaria]] for the rest of the 2003–04 season. In 24 [[Liga ACB]] games for Canaria, he averaged 10.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

In July 2004, Penney joined the Minnesota Timberwolves for the Minnesota Summer League in Minneapolis, and the [[Chicago Bulls]] for the Rocky Mountain Revenue in Salt Lake City. On 4 November 2004, he was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2004 [[NBA Development League]] Draft by the [[Asheville Altitude]]. He had an impressive start to the 2004–05 season and earned himself an NBA call-up. On 26 December 2004, he signed with the [[Los Angeles Clippers]]. He appeared in four games for the Clippers and scored just two points.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/penneki01/gamelog/2005/ Kirk Penney 2004–05 Game Log]</ref> He was waived by the Clippers on 3 January 2005 and returned to the Asheville Altitude to play out the season and help the team win the 2005 NBA D-League championship.

On 5 August 2005, Penney signed a two-year deal with [[Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C.|Maccabi Tel Aviv]] of the [[Israeli Basketball Premier League]].<ref>[http://www.maccabi.co.il/News.asp?id=565&lang=en Kirk Penney signed for two years]</ref> He was used sparingly as a shooter off the bench and helped Maccabi qualify for the Euroleague Final Four, eventually losing to CSKA Moscow in the final. Maccabi did, however, win the 2006 Premier League championship. In 19 [[Euroleague]] games for Maccabi in 2005–06, Penney averaged 3.3 points per game.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/euro/players/kirk-penney-1.html Kirk Penney Europe Stats]</ref>

In October 2006, Penney signed with [[BC Žalgiris|Žalgiris Kaunas]] as an injury replacement for [[Marcelinho Machado]].<ref>[http://www.eurosport.com/basketball/euroleague/2006-2007/zalgiris-sign-penney_sto977423/story.shtml Zalgiris sign "Tall Black" Penney]</ref> After Žalgiris won the [[Lietuvos Krepšinio Lyga|Lithuanian Basketball League]] Cup, Penney parted ways with Žalgiris. On 16 February 2007, he signed with [[ALBA Berlin]] of Germany for the rest of the 2006–07 season.<ref>[https://www.albaberlin.de/news/kirk-penney-verstaerkt-die-albatrosse-4064.html Kirk Penney verstärkt die Albatrosse] {{in lang|de}}</ref>

===New Zealand Breakers (2007–2010)===
In June 2007, Penney signed with the [[New Zealand Breakers]] of the Australian [[National Basketball League (Australia)|National Basketball League]]. Penney's addition to the previously unsuccessful Breakers proved to be the tonic for the Breakers success, with the team qualifying for their first ever finals series, before eventually finishing in sixth position overall in 2007–08. Individually, Penney was the league's third leading scorer, averaging 24.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals over 31 games, was a starter for the World All-Stars team, and was named to the All-NBL first team.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190394841&client=1-189-12317-95997-369911 | title=Player Profile: Kirk Penney | publisher=SportsTG | access-date=20 November 2016 }}</ref>

In the 2008–09 season, Penney led the league in scoring and was the first Kiwi player ever to be named in the All-NBL first team for consecutive seasons. He took home the [[Andrew Gaze]] MVP trophy for leading the Breakers to their best season ever, averaging 24.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists over 28 games, making Penney the first Kiwi to be honoured with the award.<ref>[http://www.3news.co.nz/sport/penney-becomes-first-nzer-to-win-aussie-basketball-league-mvp-2009030914 Penney becomes first NZer to win Aussie basketball league MVP]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=77670|title=Penney wins Andrew Gaze Trophy|work=NBL.com.au|date=9 March 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313031603/http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=77670|archive-date=13 March 2009|access-date=30 October 2022}}</ref>

On 21 January 2010, Penney scored a career-high 49 points in a 103–89 win over the [[Adelaide 36ers]] in Auckland.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nagy |first=Boti |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/penney-drops-49-as-sixers-season-over/story-e6frea6u-1225822453466 |title=Penney drops 49 as Sixers' season over |work=AdelaideNow.com.au |date=22 January 2010 |access-date=11 May 2013}}</ref> During the 2009–10 season, he was once again named to the All-NBL first team.

===Skyforce and Spurs (2010)===
Following the conclusion of the [[2009–10 NBL season]], Penney returned to the United States, and on 24 March 2010, he was acquired by the [[Sioux Falls Skyforce]] of the NBA Development League.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/transactions_09-10.html 09-10 Transactions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202102424/http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/transactions_09-10.html |date= 2 December 2010 }}</ref> In just his second game for the Skyforce, he scored a game-high 31 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the field, adding four rebounds, three assists and a steal in 43 minutes of game time in a 113–104 win over the [[Springfield Armor]].<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/3519732/Kirk-Penney-explodes-for-31-points-in-D-League Kirk Penney explodes for 31 points in D-League]</ref> In the Skyforce's final game of the regular season, he scored 40 points in a win over the [[Bakersfield Jam]].<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/3545869/Kirk-Penney-drops-40-points-in-NBA-D-League Kirk Penney drops 40 points in NBA D-League]</ref> The Skyforce made it to the first round of the playoffs where they lost to the [[Tulsa 66ers]] 2–1 in the best-of-three series. In seven total games for the Skyforce, he averaged 22.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/dleague/players/p/penneki01d.html Kirk Penney D-League Stats]</ref>

On 28 September 2010, Penney signed with the [[San Antonio Spurs]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/penny_100928.html Spurs Add Kirk Penney To Training Camp Roster]</ref> However, he was later waived by the Spurs on 11 October after appearing in one preseason game and scoring 9 points.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spurs_waive_kirk_penny_101011.html Spurs Waive Kirk Penney]</ref><ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/4220524/Tall-Black-Kirk-Penney-released-by-NBA-side Tall Black Kirk Penney released by NBA side]</ref>

===First NBL Championship (2010–11)===
On 26 October 2010, Penney returned to the New Zealand Breakers for the [[2010–11 NBL season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10683158 |title=Basketball: Penney returns to Breakers |work=nzherald.co.nz |date=26 October 2010 |access-date=11 May 2013}}</ref> For the first three games of the season, [[Leon Henry]] filled in for Penney, but upon his return, Henry was swiftly moved out of the 10-man roster. In 2010–11, Penney led the Breakers to their first NBL championship as they defeated the [[Cairns Taipans]] in the grand final series, 2–1. He was again named to the All-NBL first team after averaging 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.<ref>[http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190394841&client=0-189-12317-95997-369911 Player statistics for Kirk Penney]</ref>

===Return to Europe (2011–2015)===
On 29 July 2011, Penney signed with [[Baloncesto Fuenlabrada]] of Spain for the 2011–12 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/spain/87744/fuenlabrada-tabs-scoring-machine-kirk-penney.html |title=Fuenlabrada tabs scoring machine Kirk Penney |work=Sportando.com |date=29 July 2011 |access-date=11 May 2013}}</ref> During the [[2011–12 ACB season]], Penney was the fifth leading points scorer with 14.4 points per game.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hinton|first=Marc|title=Kirk Penney yearns to be a Breaker again|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/6995468/Kirk-Penney-yearns-to-be-a-Breaker-again|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=27 May 2012|access-date=11 May 2013}}</ref>

In July 2012, Penney signed with [[TED Ankara Kolejliler]] of Turkey for the 2012–13 season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hinton|first=Marc|title=Kirk Penney signs to play in Turkish capital|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/7350433/Kirk-Penney-signs-to-play-in-Turkish-capital|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=26 July 2012|access-date=11 May 2013}}</ref> During the 2012–13 [[Turkish Basketball League|TBL]] season, Penney was the league's third leading points scorer with 18.3 points per game, hitting over 46% of his three-point shots.

In August 2013, Penney signed with [[Trabzonspor Basketball|Trabzonspor]] for the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hinton|first=Marc|title=Tall Blacks star Penney on move in Turkey|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/9011869/Tall-Blacks-star-Penney-on-move-in-Turkey|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=7 August 2013|access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref>

In mid-2014, Penney returned to the University of Wisconsin to finish off his degree.<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/10314514/Kirk-Penney-in-demand-as-education-comes-first Kirk Penney in demand as education comes first]</ref> On 26 January 2015, he signed with [[CB Sevilla|Baloncesto Sevilla]] of the Spanish [[Liga ACB]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kirk Penney moves to Sevilla|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/spain/150054/kirk-penney-moves-to-sevilla.html|access-date=27 January 2015|work=Sportando.com|date=26 January 2015}}</ref> In 16 games for Sevilla, he averaged 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

===Illawarra Hawks (2015–2016)===
On 27 July 2015, Penney signed with the [[Illawarra Hawks]] for the [[2015–16 NBL season]].<ref>[http://www.nbl.com.au/nbl-team-news/illawarra-hawks-secure-another-former-nbl-mvp-kirk-penney/ ILLAWARRA HAWKS SECURE ANOTHER FORMER NBL MVP, KIRK PENNEY] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115332/http://www.nbl.com.au/nbl-team-news/illawarra-hawks-secure-another-former-nbl-mvp-kirk-penney/ |date=4 March 2016 }}</ref> In just the third game of the season on 14 October, he scored a season-high 36 points in a 96–75 win over his former team, the [[New Zealand Breakers]].<ref>[http://www.hawks.com.au/featured-news/penney-torches-new-zealand-breakers-with-36-points/ PENNEY TORCHES NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS WITH 36 POINTS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305221508/http://www.hawks.com.au/featured-news/penney-torches-new-zealand-breakers-with-36-points/ |date=5 March 2016 }}</ref> He didn't miss a game for the Hawks over the team's first 22 contests before a hamstring injury suffered on 17 January 2016 against the Breakers<ref>[http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3670491/penney-a-long-shot-for-wildcats-showdown/ Penney a long shot for Wildcats showdown]</ref> forced him to miss four straight games. He returned to action on 6 February, scoring 28 points in a 104–97 overtime win over the [[Townsville Crocodiles]].<ref>[http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3711198/hawks-book-finals-spot-in-overtime-thriller/ Hawks book finals spot in overtime thriller]</ref> He helped the Hawks finish the regular season in third place with a 17–11 win–loss record, booking themselves a semi-final clash with the second-seeded [[Perth Wildcats]]. After losing Game 1 in Perth, the Hawks took Game 2 at home to save the series, but went on to lose the deciding Game 3 in Perth, bowing out of the playoffs with a 2–1 defeat. In 27 games for the Hawks in 2015–16, Penney averaged 20.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

===Return to the Breakers (2016–2018)===
On 12 April 2016, Penney signed a three-year deal with the [[New Zealand Breakers]].<ref>[http://www.nzbreakers.co.nz/featured-news/kirk-returns-home-on-three-year-deal/ KIRK RETURNS HOME ON THREE YEAR DEAL]</ref><ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/78819923/kirk-penney-returns-to-the-new-zealand-breakers-on-a-threeyear-deal Family, fun fuel Kirk Penney to take up three-year deal with NZ Breakers]</ref> On 7 October 2016, he played in his first game for the Breakers since 2011, scoring nine points in a 76–71 season-opening win over [[Melbourne United]].<ref>[http://www.nbl.com.au/featured-news/gritty-breakers-smother-united/ GRITTY BREAKERS SMOTHER UNITED]</ref> On 29 October 2016, he scored 27 points in a 119–93 win over the [[Adelaide 36ers]].<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/85879897/kirk-penney-corey-webster-combine-for-49-as-breakers-overwhelm-adelaide Kirk Penney, Corey Webster combine for 49 as Breakers overwhelm Adelaide]</ref> On 6 November 2016, he scored 30 points in an 86–70 win over the [[Brisbane Bullets]].<ref>[http://www.nbl.com.au/brisbane-bullets/penney-stays-hot-bullets-beatdown/ PENNEY STAYS HOT IN BULLETS BEATDOWN] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106124117/http://www.nbl.com.au/brisbane-bullets/penney-stays-hot-bullets-beatdown/ |date=6 November 2016 }}</ref> He appeared in all 28 games for the Breakers in 2016–17, averaging 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

The Breakers started the 2017–18 season with a 9–1 record, before dropping to 9–3 with two Round 8 defeats. In the second defeat of Round 8, Penney was held scoreless for the first time in his 174-game NBL career.<ref>[https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/99499695/breakers-coach-backs-his-slumping-star-kirk-penney-to-refind-his-mojo Breakers coach backs his slumping star Kirk Penney to refind his mojo]</ref> On 15 December 2017, against the Adelaide 36ers in Auckland, Penney played his 150th game for the Breakers.<ref>[https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/99910168/midseason-purgatory-for-breakers-as-they-get-dumped-late-by-storming-adelaide Mid-season purgatory for NZ Breakers as they get dumped late by storming Adelaide]</ref> The Breakers finished the regular season in fourth place with a 15–13 record. On 22 February 2018, with finals only a week away, Penney announced his decision to retire at the end of the 2017–18 season.<ref>[https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/101668366/breakers-legend-kirk-penney-announces-his-retirement-vows-to-go-out-a-champion Breakers legend Kirk Penney announces retirement, shooting for 'fairytale' finish]</ref><ref>[http://www.nbl.com.au/news/article/40391-kirk-penney-calls-time-on-nbl-career Kirk Penney Calls Time on Legendary NBL Career]</ref> His final game came in the Breakers season-ending loss to Melbourne United in Game 2 of their semi-finals series; in the 88–86 overtime loss, Penney had 17 points off the bench.<ref>[http://www.nbl.com.au/news/article/40618-boone-the-ot-hero-as-melbourne-sweep-breakers Boone the OT Hero as Melbourne Sweep Breakers]</ref> In 22 games in 2017–18, he averaged 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.

===Auckland Tuatara (2022)===
In August 2022, Penney came out of retirement to play for the [[Auckland Tuatara (basketball)|Auckland Tuatara]] of the New Zealand NBL in their final regular season game of the [[2022 New Zealand NBL season|2022 season]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Labuschagne|first=Reece|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/08/basketball-kiwi-legend-kirk-penney-to-suit-up-for-auckland-tuatara-in-nbl.html|title=Basketball: Kiwi legend Kirk Penney to suit up for Auckland Tuatara in NBL|work=newshub.co.nz|date=5 August 2022|access-date=6 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://men.nznbl.basketball/game-recap-saints-beat-tuatara-for-fifth-straight-win/|title=GAME RECAP: SAINTS BEAT TUATARA FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT WIN|work=nznbl.basketball|date=6 August 2022|access-date=6 August 2022}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend}}

===NBA===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| align="left" | {{nbay|2003}}
| align="left" | [[2003–04 Miami Heat season|Miami]]
| 2 || 0 || '''9.0''' || .167 || '''.333''' || .000 || '''.5''' || '''.5''' || '''.5''' || .0 ||''' 1.5'''
|-
| align="left" | {{nbay|2004}}
| align="left" | [[2004–05 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
| '''4''' || 0 || 3.0 || '''.333''' || .000 || .000 || .4 || .3 || .0 || .0 || .5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" | 
| 6 || 0 || 5.0 || .222 || .250 || .000 || .3 || .3 || .2|| .0 || .8
{{s-end}}

===Euroleague===
{{Euroleague player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2005–06 Euroleague|2005–06]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Maccabi Tel Aviv (basketball)|Maccabi Tel Aviv]]
| 19 || 0 || 7.3 || .588 || .478 || .714 || .8 || .1 || .2 || .0 || 3.3 || 2.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2006–07 Euroleague|2006–07]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[BC Žalgiris|Žalgiris]]
| 13 || 2 || 18.5 || .514 || .452 || .500 || 2.0 || .8 || .2 || .0 || 7.4 || 5.2
{{S-end}}

==National team career==
Penney debuted for the [[New Zealand national basketball team]] in 1999 at the age of 18, going on to represent the Tall Blacks at two Olympic Games (in 2000 and 2004) and four world championships (2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014).

Penney was part of the Tall Blacks' memorable 2002 [[FIBA Basketball World Cup|World Championships]] campaign as they surprisingly finished fourth. Penney averaged 16.9 points per game and hit 45.5% of his three-point shots.<ref name=fiba>{{cite web|url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10/fwcm/player/p/pid/36576/sid/4728/tid/337/profile.html |title=Kirk Penney – 2010 FIBA World Championship |work=FIBA.com |access-date=27 July 2015}}{{dead link|date=September 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Penney led New Zealand to victory in the [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2009|2009 FIBA Oceania Championship]], beating Australia 177–162 on aggregate, after the two-match tie was drawn 1–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interbasket.net/news/3773/2009/08/new-zealand-wins-2009-oceania-championship/ |title=New Zealand wins 2009 Oceania Championship |work=Interbasket.net |date=25 August 2009 |access-date=18 December 2011}}</ref> Penney was influential in both games, with 23 points and 4 assists in Game 1, and a 24 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists in Game 2, thus winning the Al Ramsay Shield.

In the 2010 World Championships in Turkey, Penney was the second leading scorer with 24.7 points per game. New Zealand also went through to the elimination rounds with a 3–2 record.<ref name="fiba" />

Penney participated for New Zealand at the [[2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup]] in Spain and averaged 10.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in six games.<ref>[https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2014/player/Kirk-Samuel-Penney 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup – Kirk Penney]</ref>

In May 2016, Penney retired from international basketball after a career spanning 15 years (1999–2014).<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/79987865/tall-blacks-setback--kirk-penney-calls-time-on-his-international-career Tall Blacks setback − Kirk Penney calls time on his international career]</ref>

In May 2022, Penney was inducted into the Basketball New Zealand Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nz.basketball/bbnz-awards-celebrates-2021-with-29-awards-recognised/|title=BBNZ AWARDS CELEBRATES 2021 WITH 29 AWARDS RECOGNISED|work=nz.basketball|date=7 May 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508043329/https://nz.basketball/bbnz-awards-celebrates-2021-with-29-awards-recognised/|archive-date=8 May 2022}}</ref> In April 2024, he was inducted into the [[FIBA Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/news/fiba-hall-of-fame-class-of-2024-headlined-by-reggie-miller-and-predrag-stojakovic|title=FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2024 headlined by Reggie Miller and Predrag Stojakovic|work=fiba.basketball|date=30 April 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430121709/https://www.fiba.basketball/news/fiba-hall-of-fame-class-of-2024-headlined-by-reggie-miller-and-predrag-stojakovic|archive-date=30 April 2024}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Penney is the brother of [[Rodd Penney]], who is also a professional sportsman, and has played [[Rugby Union]] in New Zealand, England and Italy.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nagy |first=Boti |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/archive/sport/sixers-benefit-with-by-breakers-stars-injury/story-e6frect3-1225950031914 |title=Wedding bells take toll on Breakers |work=AdelaideNow.com.au |date=9 November 2010 |access-date=18 December 2011}}</ref> Penney and his wife, Audra, have four children.<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/78785101/is-kiwi-hoops-star-kirk-penney-returning-home-to-the-nz-breakers Is Kiwi hoops star Kirk Penney returning home to the NZ Breakers?]</ref>

During the 2019–20 U.S. college season, Penney served as director of player development and coaching staff consultant at the [[Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball|University of Virginia]].<ref>[https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/114983392/ncaa-national-champs-virginia-add-kiwi-basketball-legend-kirk-penney-to-staff NCAA national champs Virginia add Kiwi basketball legend Kirk Penney to staff]</ref>

==Awards and achievements==
===Individual achievements===
*1998 [[National Basketball League (New Zealand)|New Zealand NBL]] Rookie of the Year
*1999 New Zealand NBL Outstanding Kiwi Guard
*2001–02 First Team All-Big Ten 
*2002–03 First Team All-Big Ten
*2002–03 Honorable Mention All-American
*2006–07 Baltic Basketball League All-Star
*2007–08 All-NBL First Team
*2008–09 All-NBL First Team
*2008–09 [[NBL Most Valuable Player Award|Australian NBL MVP]]
*2009–10 All-NBL First Team
*2010–11 All-NBL First Team
*2011 [[FIBA Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|Stanković Cup]] MVP<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/5419193/Tall-Blacks-defeat-Russia-win-Stankovic-Cup Tall Blacks defeat Russia, win Stankovic Cup]</ref>
*2012–13 [[Turkish Basketball League|TBL]] All-Star
*2012–13 TBL Three-Point Shootout champion
*2013–14 TBL All-Star
*2013–14 TBL Three-Point Shootout champion
*2015–16 All-NBL Second Team

===Team achievements===
*2001–02 Big Ten Champions (Wisconsin)
*2002–03 Big Ten Champions (Wisconsin)
*2004–05 [[NBA Development League]] Champions ([[Asheville Altitude]])
*2005–06 [[Israeli Basketball Premier League]] Champions ([[Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C.|Maccabi Tel Aviv]])
*2005–06 [[Israeli Basketball State Cup]] Champions (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
*2006–07 [[Lietuvos Krepšinio Lyga|Lithuanian Basketball League]] Cup Champions ([[BC Žalgiris|Žalgiris Kaunas]])
*2010–11 Australian NBL Champions (New Zealand Breakers)

===New Zealand national team===
*2000 [[William Jones Cup]] Champions
*2000 [[Basketball at the 2000 Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]], 11th place
*2001 [[2001 Goodwill Games|Goodwill Games]]
*2002 [[2002 FIBA World Championship|FIBA World Championship]], 4th place
*2004 [[Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's basketball|Olympic Games]]
*2006 [[2006 FIBA World Championship|FIBA World Championship]], 16th place
*2007 Stanković Cup
*2008 [[FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008|FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament]]
*2009 [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2009|FIBA Oceania Championship]], 1st place (Gold)
*2010 [[2010 FIBA World Championship|FIBA World Championship]], 12th place
*2011 Stanković Cup, 1st place (Gold)
*2014 [[2010 FIBA World Championship|FIBA World Championship]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{basketballstats|bbr=p/penneki01}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084521/http://www.hawks.com.au/player_profile/kirk-penney/ Illawarra Hawks player profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402141449/http://stats.nbadleague.com/playerProfile.html?PlayerID=2632 NBA D-League profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030627142740/http://www.uwbadgers.com/sport_news/mbb/bios/bio.aspx?id=Penney_Kirk_mbb&sport=mbb Wisconsin bio]
* [http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=CUD Euroleague.net profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110929165713/http://www.acb.com/jugador.php?id=B5C Spanish ACB profile] {{in lang|es}}
* [https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2014/player/Kirk-Samuel-Penney FIBA.com profile]
* [https://www.tblstat.net/player/2349 TBLStat.net profile]
* [https://archive.today/20041105160350/http://www.basketball.org.nz/index.cgi?sID=43&intArticleID=678&det=1 Basketball New Zealand profile]
* [https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300629053/the-mysterious-case-of-kirk-penneys-possible-nbl-fairytale-comeback-with-tuatara "The mysterious case of Kirk Penney's 'possible' NBL fairytale comeback with Tuatara"] at stuff.co.nz

{{navboxes|list=
{{NBL MVPs}}
{{NBL scoring leaders}}
{{New Zealand Breakers 2010–11 NBL champions}}
{{New Zealand NBL Most Outstanding Kiwi Guards}}
{{New Zealand NBL Rookies of the Year}}
{{2000 New Zealand Olympic team}}
{{2004 New Zealand Olympic team}}
{{New Zealand squad 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship}}
{{New Zealand squad 2011 FIBA Oceania Championship}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Penney, Kirk}}
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