One of the most storied careers in New Zealand sport is about to end, with the announcement from current SKYCITY Breaker, former Tall Black, and former NBA player Kirk Penney that this season will be his last.
37-year-old Penney has made the decision with the SKYCITY Breakers on the eve
of their semi-final series against Melbourne United, knowing that now is the right time, with the March 5th clash with Melbourne at Spark Arena assuming even greater importance for all who have enjoyed Penneys career, as either a team mate or a fan.
In a heartfelt letter to the club and Breaker Nation, Penney explained his decision one that was very much made with family past present and future in mind.
"The Penney family arrived on a boat to New Zealand in 1842. My Dad was born in Kawakawa up north, my Mum in Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula. I feel my family has been in New Zealand for a fair while and Im a typical Kiwi kid who, through the grace of God and the game of basketball, has been given the opportunity to see the world.
"Playing basketball has been a big part of my life and retiring in New Zealand with the Breakers means a lot to me.
"I want to thank Paul and Liz Blackwell and their lovely family for being wonderful friends and inspiring me to come home when I was playing abroad. To be a part of the Breakers culture and the growth of basketball in New Zealand.
"I want to thank Paul Henare and Dillon Boucher for letting me run full circle to have a second stint with the Breakers and finish my race where it all started."
Penney goes on in his letter to recognise all who have played their part along the way, from the coaches (there are many) to the support staff and the fans. That full letter can be read on the SKYCITY Breakers website -http://www.nzbreakers.basketball/news/article/35960-ive-run-my-race-hoops
Dillon Boucher is better placed than many to offer comment as Penneys former team mate at club and country, and now as his General Manager at the club that has enjoyed such a fruitful relationship with Penney.
"Kirk has had a fabulous career not only for the SKYCITY Breakers but also throughout Europe, flirting with and playing in the NBA, and of course enjoyed a stellar college career at Wisconsin.
"He will go down as one of the all-time greats in our sport, he should be remembered as one of our all-time greatest sports stars full stop. He has consistently been one of the worlds premier shooters, from his emergence as a star at college and for the Tall Blacks, to his time back in the NBL and every game in between. Kirk is a true professional and brings that to every team he is on.
"I am glad I got to play with him and then got to recruit him back to finish his career with us. On behalf of the club I would like to thank Kirk for bringing his talents back to New Zealand and I am glad he got to finish his wonderful career playing in the country where it all started."
Club Directors Paul and Liz Blackwell spoke of the contribution made by Penney, on and off the floor.
"We have enjoyed having Kirk as a member of our family so much. From his first time with the club leading to our first championship, to arriving back from Europe, then attending his wedding to Audra in Wisconsin and seeing their beautiful daughters grow. Kirk has been a wonderful part of the Breakers journey and it has been a joy and a privilege to watch him, on and off the court."
While the plaudits might be flowing, Penney did however make it clear that there is one job left unfulfilled, and that is to help take his current team to a championship. He first departed the club in 2011, bound for Europe after helping them to their historic first ever title. He is firmly focused on adding a fifth title for the club, and a second for himself in Breakers colours.
""It feels like the right time to step away from the game- at the end of this season. I truly couldnt imagine playing with a better group of people in my last year. My teammates and I are preparing to play as many games as it takes to win the championship for each other, our owners, our staff and our fans.
"Starting in Melbourne and then at home on the fifth of March, it is time to go to work. This has been our goal all year, to earn a spot in the playoffs and see if we can win this thing, I know that we can and cant wait to get back on the floor."
Kirk Penney Career by numbers (up to date heading into the 2017/18 semifinals)
With the SKYCITY Breakers:
Debuted October 4th, 2007 at NSEC scoring 23 points against West Sydney Razorbacks - Oscar Forman, Mika Vukona played for Breakers that day (Paul Henare was injured).
3,200 points at 20.3ppg (Tom Abercrombie currently 3,204 at 11.7ppg)
Has made the most 3-point shots for the club - 483
158 appearances - 8th all-time
641 rebounds - 7th a/t
369 assists - 6th a/t
125 steals - 7th a/t
Scored a career high 49 points against Adelaide in 2010, this still stands as the second highest individual score by a Breakers player behind 50 points by Carlos Powell v Melbourne Tigers in 2006
Currently in sixth season with Breakers, in two stints.
Kirk has scored 30 points or more in a single game on 30 occasions.
Most memorable performance for many will be the 38 points in game 2 of the 2010 semi-final at Perth. The Breakers won 93-89 after losing game 1 at home 101-78 (that was also the Mika playing on one leg game). Went on to win our first championship
Also:
Kirk made 27 appearances scoring 550 points for Illawarra in 2015/16
Total NBL career is 185 games - 2750 points.
Next Home Game:
Semifinal
Monday 5 March, 7.30pm
Spark Arena
Vs Melbourne United
Ticketing information www.nzbreakers.basketball
- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Basketball New Zealand
One of the most storied careers in New Zealand sport is about to end, with the announcement from current SKYCITY Breaker, former Tall Black, and former NBA player Kirk Penney that this season will be his last.
37-year-old Penney has made the decision with the SKYCITY Breakers on the eve
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