Basketball New Zealand

Breakers MVP Kirk Penney

Shooting guard Kirk Penney has capped an impressive season by winning all three major awards at the Harvey Norman NZ Breakers Awards Dinner in Auckland.

It is the first time in the club’s five-year history that one person has pocketed the top three trophies – Penney was voted MVP by the club’s season ticket holders, picked up the Players’ Player award from his peers and took out the overall MVP award.

Foundation player Blake Truslove, now manager of the Basketball Development Trust, won the Club Man Award.

Third in overall points scoring in the NBL and fifth in the three-point shooting stakes, Penney scored 749 points in 31 games at 24.2 points per game. Only Carlos Powell has scored more for the club in a single season.

The second best in the team for steals and the third best for assists, he secured 4.6 rebounds per game.

The Tall Black missed the opening game of the season with a calf injury, but from that moment on he was on court more than any other Breaker, averaging 37.9 minutes of playing time per game, almost six minutes more than anyone else.

“It’s fair to say Kirk excelled in his first season for the club and in his NBL rookie season,” coach Andrej Lemanis said.

“He might have been an important go-to guy on offense, but he contributed so much more on court and his leadership and experience were widely appreciated by his team mates.

“It’s exciting, and reassuring, that he will be at the club for the next two seasons after re-signing mid-season.”

Penney was the first New Zealander ever selected for the World team to tackle the Aussies at the NBL All-Star game in Melbourne last December and was voted by the fans on to the starting five. He was also voted into the 3-point shootout and qualified in top spot for the final.

The former Miami Heat and LA Clippers NBA player now heads to Europe on Monday and is likely to pick up a short-term contract.

Truslove leaves the club after Easter to return to Adelaide with his Kiwi wife and young son, having been an outstanding contributor to the Breakers since day one, initially as a player.

Since finishing his playing role, Truslove has set up the Basketball Development Trust and established the partnership with the Breakers to develop the Champions resources and programmes in schools.

“It is sad to see Blake leaving because he’s given his heart and soul to the club these past five years,” said Breakers general manger Richard Clarke.

“We’re immensely proud of the role we play in the community and Blake’s been the instigator of our grassroots initiatives in partnership with the Basketball Development Trust. He leaves big shoes to fill.”

Harvey Norman NZ Breakers 2007-2008 Awards

Breakers MVP: Kirk Penney
Season Ticket Holders MVP: Kirk Penney
Players’ Player of the Year: Kirk Penney
Club Man of the Year: Blake Truslove

Previous MVP Winners

2003-2004: Mike Chappell
2004-2005: Aaron Olson
2005-2006: Ben Pepper
2006-2007: Carlos Powell