Basketball New Zealand

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NZ Breakers guard Kirk Penney (Photosport)

Jonathan Healy, Sportal
West Sydney Razorbacks guard Troy DeVries has laid claims to being the best outside shooter in the Hummer Championship NBL by defeating NZ Breakers guard Kirk Penney in the final of the NBL All-Star three-point shootout.

After making it through to the final by a solitary point, DeVries nailed 10 shots and four money-balls to rack up 14 points, with Penney (nine points) unable to bring his strong first-round form into the final.

“It feels great. I never thought 14 would win it, but I will take it,” DeVries said after the event.

“Kirk Penney is a phenomenal shooter and it was great to compete against him.”

DeVries, who has nailed 57-of-132 three-pointers at 43.2 per cent for the Razorbacks so far this season, later revealed that the shootout was not the first time he had won a similar type of competition.

“I have done quite a few of them and won quite a few of them,” DeVries said.

“My family and friends were very supportive and voted for me quite a bit, so I need to make sure I thank them.”

Earlier, Penney scored 20 points out of a possible total of 30, while DeVries snuck into the final with a score of 17, narrowly in front of Brisbane Bullets guard CJ Bruton who nailed two money-balls on the way to a score of 16.

Gold Coast Blaze sharp-shooter James Harvey nailed 13 three-pointers, including two money-balls on the way to 15 points, Townsville Crocodiles marksman John Rillie hit 12 shots, scoring 13 points, while Melbourne Tigers centre Chris Anstey scored eight points.

Penney also had 16 point (6/16 FG, 3/8 3pt, 1/2 FT) and four assists in 24 minutes as a starter as his World All-Stars fell 141-146 to the Aussie All-Stars in the main event.