Looking back at past Olympians: Kirk Penney
July 16, 2008 | Men's Basketball
As the Olympic Games in Beijing approach, several UW athletes are attempting to qualify and continue the tradition the Badger program has in the Olympics. Watch the Badger Olympians page for updates on our current athletes, as well as a weekly look back at past UW Olympians. Check back frequently as we review our illustrious Olympic history and the Badgers who have made it.
Today's look back features Kirk Penney, a forward at Wisconsin from 1999-2003, who participated in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
Born in North Shore, Auckland, this New Zealand native has a fan base that stretches across the globe. Before transferring to Wisconsin in 1999, Kirk Penney played basketball for his high school team followed by three years in New Zealand's National Basketball League.
Penny was named first-team All Big Ten during both his junior and senior seasons at Wisconsin. His senior year he also received honorable mention All-American and played in the 2000 Final Four.
After graduation, Penney returned to New Zealand to play professionally for their national basketball team. He led his team, called the Tall Blacks, to the 2000 Sydney Olympics where they beat Angola to finish 11th. He also starred with the Tall Blacks in the 2002 World Championships where they finished fourth.
When Penney was signed by the Miami Heat he became only the second New Zealand native (after Sean Marks) to play in the NBA. Throughout his career, Penny has also played with the Los Angeles clippers and several of the best European teams. Currently, he is a shooting guard for the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian National Basketball League.
