Kirk Penney calls time on career

New Zealand's Kirk Penny shoots past France's Boris Diaw
Kirk Penney in action for the Tall Blacks against France. Photo: ODT Files
Breakers stalwart Kirk Penney will bring a storied and well-travelled basketball career to a close in the coming months.

The 37-year-old has made 158 Australian NBL appearances for the Breakers across two stints, playing a role in their maiden 2010-11 title triumph.

He has also played for clubs in the United States - including in the NBA for Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers - Spain, Israel and Turkey.

But, having endured a tough 2017-18 ANBL season with injuries, the Auckland native has decided to hang up his shoes at the end of the campaign.

He will hope to end his career on a high by taking the Breakers, who finished fourth in this year's ANBL round robin, through next month's semifinal against Melbourne United and to a fifth ANBL title in eight years.

``It feels like the right time to step away from the game,'' Penney said.

``I truly couldn't imagine playing with a better group of people in my last year.

``My team-mates 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.''

Penney also enjoyed a long Tall Blacks career, making his debut in 1999 and starring at the 2002 world championships, in which they finished fourth.

The side also claimed gold at the 2009 Oceania Championships.

He thanked coach and former team-mate Paul Henare for his support, as well as club chief Dillon Boucher, who repaid the praise in kind.

Boucher, also an former team-mate for club and country, said guard Penney would go down as one of New Zealand's finest sporting exports.

``He has consistently been one of the world's premier shooters, from his emergence as a star at college and for the Tall Blacks, to his time back in the ANBL and every game in between,'' Boucher said.

``Kirk is a true professional and brings that to every team he's on.''

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