Basketball: Penney up for World Cup challenge

New Zealand basketballer Kirk Penney, right. Photo / Getty Images

The Tall Blacks are on the eve of tipping off their FIBA World Cup bid in Spain after a seven-week buildup tour, and Kirk Penney, the side's elder statesman, is primed for action.

Penney is the sole survivor of the team that finished a historic fourth at the 2002 tournament, but he was in no mood for reflection ahead of the Tall Blacks' opener against Turkey on Sunday morning NZT.

"This might be the best tour I have ever been on," he said of the the Tall Blacks preparation tour of Asia and Europe.

"Early on we had maybe lesser talented opponents but had to fight to win, then we went up a level to Europe and tested ourselves against better opposition, and here we are now at the big show where we have to take a step up in every moment."

Penney said there was a quiet confidence in the group about the difficult task ahead of them.

"It [the tournament] hasn't quite started so it is a bit of that calm before the storm when you are excited to play.

"We have had two days of practice in Bilbao but we are excited to be here, we have worked so hard over the past seven weeks and hopefully we can come out and play the way we want to play."

Penney knows his first up opponents well, having spent the past few seasons playing in Turkey. But the side is in a difficult pool which includes global powerhouse the USA.

"I have never called our pool the pool of death. Every game is difficult and will be a challenge.

"We have watched these teams on film. I have never played Dominican Republic and haven't played Ukraine and Finland for a few years. Hard to say until we get on court but outside the USA we have to back ourselves against every team.

"Even [against] the USA, we have to get on the floor and enjoy the process. We played them in 2002 and in Florida in a friendly and maybe once more.

"They are so athletic. I know the guys will enjoy the opportunity. I am excited to just go at them and see what happens".