Basketball: Penney happy to be back after US dreams shatter

Kirk Penney. Photo / Daily Post

Kirk Penney has no regrets after rejoining the New Zealand Breakers followed a failed bid to play at National Basketball Association level in the United States.

He does not regret a moment of his time and effort in the US to pursue a dream, even though it remains unfulfilled.

Penney missed the Breakers' opening two outings of the new Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) season after being granted leave by the franchise to attend a San Antonio Spurs veterans camp.

He was then waived by the NBA club but remained in the US to pursue other options, none of which materialised.

"Getting into the NBA was my dream, I had an awesome time with the Spurs and feel like I gave it my best shot, but it wasn't to be," the Tall Blacks shooting guard said yesterday.

"Staying on the extra week after being cut gave me the mental space to prepare to return to the Breakers and the ANBL. I'm excited to be back with the Breakers, home to the team and the club I love."

Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis has resisted the temptation to rush Penney back for tonight's home game against the Melbourne Tigers when the Breakers seek their third successive win.

"While it is great to have Kirk back, it will take some time for him and the group to adjust to his return.

"One training session simply wasn't enough and may have caused more disruption than good," Lemanis said.

"We are confident that we can achieve what we want to against the Tigers and then bring Kirk into the environment from Friday, giving us eight days to prepare for our next game on the Gold Coast."

BREAKERS v TIGERS
* North Shore Events Centre
* 7.30 tonight

- NZPA