Basketball: Penney jets off to the States

Kirk Penney is aiming for a spot in the NBA Development League. Photo / Sarah Ivey

New Zealand Breakers shooting guard Kirk Penney leaves today for the United States aiming for a spot in the NBA Development League - but which basketball team he will play for won't be known until he arrives in Los Angeles.

The D League has a draft system in operation for new players, with the lowest ranked team having first pick running through to the highest having last pick of players on offer, including Penney. At this stage of the partly completed season, it is only those teams in the playoff race that can utilise the draft.

The competition is very much a short term option, but a high quality one Penney is keen to exercise with the Tall Blacks' world championship campaign looming later in the year.

"I need to keep playing, especially after missing so much of the previous season with the back injury. This is an opportunity to play at a high level, test myself against NBA quality players, some veterans and some at the start of their careers but all looking to impress scouts and coaches," Penney said.

The regular season for the D League runs through only until mid April with approximately eight games in 12 days the prospect for Penney depending on which team he signs for, potentially more if his team makes the playoffs.

Recently named for the third season in the Australian National Basketball League All-First Team, Penney is keen to further challenge himself and improve on his game.

"You should never stop wanting to learn and improve and this is a chance for me to do that, to see which parts of my game I need to work on in a competitive environment."

Breakers general manager Richard Clarke said Penney went with the club's blessing.

"This is a great chance for Kirk to keep playing the game at a high level and given his lack of court time last season it fills a void where he might otherwise have been looking for a break."

- NZPA