PENNEY'S VALUE SOARS FOR BADGERS
Madison Capital Times

Jan 26, 2000

Rob Schultz

Kirk Penney has no idea why New Zealanders are called Kiwis.

"It's either from the kiwi bird or the kiwi fruit," said the Wisconsin freshman guard, who is from Auckland. "I'd like to say it's a kiwi bird than a fruit, because saying it's from fruit is kind of cheesy."

Plus, Penney said the kiwi bird is endangered, which makes it special.

Nobody fits that definition more than Penney, who is among the rarest of basketball players because so few from his country have gone on to play the sport collegiately or professionally in the United States. And he's special for reasons other than just adding a much-needed spark for the Badgers the past five games.

There isn't a harder worker among the Badgers than the 6-foot-5 Penney, who has worked his way into the starting lineup by spending countless hours after practice trying to become the complete player UW coach Dick Bennett demands.

And there isn't anybody more appreciative of his chance to play at Wisconsin than the refreshing Penney, who, unlike many freshmen, has not been tarnished by undue notoriety and expectations.

"He's very unspoiled - one of the most unspoiled athletes I've worked with. It's a beautiful thing to see a guy who is in love with the game, in love with the school and people," said Bennett, who added, "I think he's a keeper. I think he'll be a gem before he's done, barring any unforeseen circumstances."

Penney blushed when he heard Bennett's statement. "I do love it here," he said with a smile.

But Penney isn't as thrilled with the accolades as he has been with his performance of late. He will make his fourth straight start tonight at the Kohl Center when the Badgers (10-8 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) take on Purdue (13-5, 4-1). He made his first start against the Boilermakers at West Lafayette and responded with 17 points in 37 minutes during a 63-52 loss. He is averaging 4.4 points this season.

"It's just a matter of playing my game, keeping my poise, keeping a steady mind and, especially, defensively, not getting beat early," said Penney, who will draw the toughest defensive assignment in Purdue's 6-6 Mike Robinson. "I have to get a solid start, and then it's about moving on and getting into the game."

Penney's improvement can be traced to how serious he is about becoming a complete player. He has a solid jump shot with a quick release, but he's also a deft passer, penetrator and a good defender.

"Off the court, I'm really not that serious," said Penney, a talented artist who cracks up his teammates when he doodles on the locker room chalkboard. "But when it comes down to business, you have a job to do and you have to do it the best you can. You don't want to look back at the end of the season and wish you had done this or done that. You really grow and learn during the offseason, but I want to do the best I can during this season."

So during the season, Penney has spent countless hours before and after practice working on his game with team manager Tony Bennett, the coach's son who is a former National Basketball Association player.

"I'm always adding little bits and pieces to my game anyway I can," said Penney. "I'm not changing it in any way, just trying to perfect it."

Penney's improvement also can be traced to his transition of living so far from home. Some of the credit for that can be given to Tony Bennett, who lived for several years in New Zealand and became Penney's mentor.

They met when Penney was 15 and was playing one-on-one with one of Tony Bennett's teammates on a professional team in Auckland. Tony likes to tell the story of how Penney gave him a bloody nose the first time they played one-on-one. They began a friendship from that first session, and it has continued because Bennett moved back to Wisconsin after Penney committed to play for the Badgers.

"I was in awe of Tony," said Penney. "He had played in the NBA and I had so much respect for him. I still do for what he has done and where he has come from. Since I've been in Wisconsin, Tony and (his wife) Laurel have done so much to help me out. If things get tough and I need to talk, they are always there for me."

But nothing has made Penney happier than to have his older brother, Rod, and father, Paul, visit him. His father's visit was a complete surprise.

"I was just thinking that the other day. I was with my dad and thinking about things and how good it was for him to be here. I told him that," said Penney. "It's awesome to have my father here and just be able to look over during the game and see the gleam in his eye because he is enjoying it so much."

But nobody is enjoying it more than Penney.

"You feel so isolated out there, and it's nice to know there's someone out there who knows where you've come from and what an experience it is and how much I appreciate it," he said.