Basketball: Penney signed by LA Clippers

Tall Blacks shooting guard Kirk Penney is set to return to the National Basketball Association (NBA) courts after being signed by the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Los Angeles Times newspaper reported yesterday that Penney, 24, had signed with the Clippers.

Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy told the newspaper Penney was approached to help fill their playing roster in the short term, but no specifics were given on the term or details of his contract.

Penney was playing in North Carolina for the Asheville Altitude of the National Basketball Development League before the Clippers flew him to Houston where they were playing the Houston Rockets yesterday.

"My agent called me a few days ago and said 'the Clippers are interested in you coming in and helping them out'," Penney told the newspaper.

Penney was signed as the Clippers face a mounting injury toll with three of their guards sidelined.

"He's one of the guys that was on the radar," Dunleavy said.

"He's a good player, shoots the ball well. I thought that was something that we needed."

Dunleavy said the Clippers tried to bring Penney to their training camp this year, but visa problems prevented it.

Undrafted after his college career, Penney was cut by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a pre-NBA training camp a year ago.

He was picked up by the Miami Heat, played 18 minutes in two NBA games, but was then unwanted and ended the season playing in Spain, where he averaged 10.7 points.

Penney missed out on NBA club opening day rosters this season after his visa had expired.

He clarified his immigration status last month and played 12 games with the Altitude in the development league, averaging 9.4 points and making 40.6 per cent of his shots.

The Clippers have won 12 and lost 13 and are currently placed fourth in the Pacific division of the Western Conference.

- NZPA