Basketball: Penney unlikely to suit up for Breakers in the near future

Kirk Penney. Photo / NZPA

An underwhelming season will leave the Breakers contemplating reinforcements but Kirk Penney is unlikely to be among them.

The defending champions have been undone by a variety of problems during this disappointing campaign but, on paper at least, a lack of talent is hardly the major issue.

There won't be an overhaul of the roster; rather the addition of a couple of players to aid in the quest to reach the playoffs next year and beyond.

Unfortunately for some fans hoping otherwise, Penney looks set to be more a future prospect than one who could be suiting up next season. The former favourite son has been linked with a return to New Zealand but Breakers general manager Richard Clarke revealed that was probably wishful thinking for now.

"He's playing in Turkey at the moment and just because a couple of people mention in articles that he's coming back, doesn't mean he's coming back," Clarke said. "He's got other things on his plate - he's needing to finish off his degree and a few other things.

"While we're always in touch with Kirk - he's very much part of the family - it's probably unlikely for next season. It may be more in the future."

After parting ways with the Breakers following their first championship, Penney initially took his talents to Spain and now calls Trabzonspor home. The 33-year-old indicated he ideally planned to conclude his career in New Zealand, and that was a prospect Clarke called likely.

Penney's not the only former league MVP who would be welcomed back with open arms. Cedric Jackson left Union Olimpija earlier this month after struggling with injuries since leaving the Breakers and signing for the Slovenian side.

While he would represent an upgrade over current point guard Kerron Johnson, Clarke said the club had yet to make an approach to Jackson about a potential return.

"He'll be pretty disappointed right now and he's got some injuries he's working through. [Other players] have been keeping in touch with how he's going with the disappointment of the injuries, but nothing from a formal point of view."

Johnson and the club do have options to extend his stay in Auckland, and that will be determined during the review process every player will undertake over the next fortnight.

Elsewhere, Tom Abercrombie has indicated he would explore playing possibilities in Europe during the offseason, while Gary Wilkinson is unlikely to be retained. And with CJ Bruton having played his last game, there will be vacancies to fill.

Having been through the Breakers' academy, Rob Loe is one player the club could pursue, with his four-year stint at American college St Louis coming to an end. But Loe could receive interest from elsewhere, especially after his double-double in the NCAA Tournament yesterday.

"We'd be very keen to get him back but we'll just see how that plays out," Clarke said. "We haven't had any discussions with Rob, because he's been in college and you can't discuss that or you compromise his eligibility."