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Shooting high
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In
Geography has never been a strong suit of US college students.
In a survey last year, 30 per cent of American students aged 18-24
couldn't find the
But Kirk Penney has certainly opened
For the past four years, Penney has enraptured regular crowds of
17,000 at the Kohl Centre –- the home of basketball at the university's campus
in
This month he's hoping to catch the eye of NBA scouts and fulfill
his dream of making it into the American professional league.
A group of hard-core
PENNEY'S path to
The promising teenager from
Bennett was a star at
Penney has flourished under both men.
The 22-year-old is an outstanding shooter, often deadly from
behind the three-point arc. He has a great catch and release on his shot and
can make baskets under intense defensive pressure. What's most pleasing for
hoops aficionados is the way Penney has developed a strong game driving to the
basket and improved as a rebounder and defender.
His list of achievements at
He has been to the NCAA (US college basketball) Final 64
tournament every year since arriving at Madison and is one of just 11 players
in the US college game this season to average at least 16 pts, 6 rebounds and 3
assists.
Penney and the Wisconsin Badgers yesterday played the first match
of this season's NCAA college basketball's showcase tournament against Weber
St.
The Kiwi was hoping a couple of wins in the tournament –- with a
possible regional quarterfinal match-up with Mid-West top seeds and perennial
college basketball powerhouse
Penney has a host of attributes from four seasons in a programme respected for its ability to produce sound and
disciplined prospects for the professional ranks.
Also in his favour is the experience he
has gained from two campaigns with the Tall Blacks –- the 2000 Sydney Olympics
and the 2002 world championships.
What may count against Penney is the depth of competition for the
2003 draft, which takes place in late June. Teenager LeBron
James, a 2.01m shooting guard, has dominated draft talk since declaring he
would go straight to the draft from high school. But there is a host of capable
college prospects who could push Penney down the ratings.
"When I first came here I didn't know where I was going or
how I'd do," he said from
"It was hard to be away from family and friends but I always
wanted to come over here and see what the whole American college experience was
about.
"The adjustment was made very easy thanks to the friends and
support I've received here," said Penney, whose father Phil moved to
One
It's an impressive collection of articles, photos and personal observations
on her favourite player.
It could be regarded as an unhealthy obsession, but Christopherson
–- an aspiring high school teacher with a refreshingly ironic sense of humour –- isn't a stalker in the making.
"I am not obsessed with Penney. Yes, I have a website on him.
No, I don't think about him every second of the day. I have the website because
I think it's fun and I know others enjoy it," she
writes.
Penney enjoys it too.
"It's cool. I don't check it every day –- I think my
girlfriend does, though," he laughs.
BACK home, Tall Blacks' coach Tab Baldwin would like to see his
charge make the big time.
"He dreams of playing in the NBA, which is wonderful, and
he's on the brink of doing that. When Kirk left, he was a very good young
player with a lot of potential. His experience has turned him into a far more
complete player at both ends of the floor,"
"He was a promising young player, now he's a professional basketballer. While he doesn't get paid yet, in his career
he will be able to make a lot of money and will deserve it.
"We should be really proud of what he's done –- while he had
some tools, most of what he's achieved has come from hard work."
"He's a very intelligent, academic individual and is set to
leave college with a degree in landscape architecture. He's been able to ensure
he can provide for himself at a young age with different career paths."
"His humility is a key attrribute
–- he's confident in who he is and what he can do but that humble Kiwi attitude
makes him stand out."
Badgers coach Bo Ryan thinks as much of his Kiwi star as
"He doesn't do anything halfway. In personality, socially
he's an A, leadership he's an A. He just does everything well ... the rest of
the players look at him and say `Wow, that's what it takes to be pretty
good'," Ryan says. "I'm hoping all of them say `This is what we have
to do'."
PENNEY hasn't thought too hard about where he will head when his
college career finishes –- the NCAA tournament has dominated his focus
throughout this month.
"I could have just one more college game left. It's a difficult
feeling because it's been such an awesome experience.
"Right now I just want to enjoy the final stretch of the
season with the guys and not let anything else take away from the hard work
we've put in. I'm just keeping my focus on the season at hand. Once the season
ends, I'll explore my opportunities."
If the NBA doesn't come calling, Penney
is likely to head to
He would probably prove too expensive for the new Kiwi franchise
entering next season's Australian National Basketball League, owned by
"You can't rule out anything."
But his past suggests Kirk Penney has more worldwide spheres to
spread the Kiwi jandal gospel.
