Former Tall Blacks and NZ Breakers legend Kirk Penney has taken the next post-retirement step in his basketball career.
On Wednesday (NZT), Penney will be officially unveiled as player development director and coaching staff consultant for the University of Virginia men's team.
The 38-year old is very familiar with the American college sporting system, starring at the University of Wisconsin from 1999-2003, before embarking on a 15-year professional career across several countries.
Virginia head coach Tony Bennett, a former NBA guard, is very familiar with Penney, whom he 'discovered' during three seasons with North Harbour in the NZ NBL.
He mentored a teenage Penney and recruited him for Wisconsin, where father Dick was head coach.
"I am excited to reunite with Kirk and add him to the Virginia basketball family," Tony Bennett said.
"I have known Kirk for over 20 years, and have tremendous respect for him as a person, player and coach.
"He will make an immediate impact with our programme with his knowledge and experience.”
Penney joins an elite Virginia team, sitting on the college basketball throne, after winning the national title in March. That team included Tall Black centre Jack Salt, who has recently signed to play professionally in Poland.
But the Cavaliers will need to rebuild next season, with three others of their starting line-up subsequently selected in the 2019 NBA draft - De'Andre Hunter to Atlanta Hawks, Tyrone Jerome to Phoenix Suns and Kyle Guy to Sacramento Kings.
Penney, wife Audra and his three children will now make the move to Charlottesville, with the season beginning in November.
Newshub.
