Penney remains in role as Special Assistant to the Head Coach
Former All-Big Ten player to remain on Badger Bench
April 26, 2024
MADISON, Wis. – Kirk Penney will remain in his role as Special Assistant to the Head Coach on the Wisconsin men’s basketball coaching staff, as officially announced by head coach Greg Gard on Friday.
Penney returned to the Badger bench this past season, making an immediate impact through his focus as an offensive analyst on staff. Wisconsin averaged 74.7 points per game, the program’s highest scoring average in 30 years. In fact, the Badgers finished the year ranked 17th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency, rising as high as No. 4 during the season (per KenPom.com).
Facing the third-toughest schedule in the country, Wisconsin stacked up 22 wins and earned yet another NCAA tournament berth for the 23rd time in the last 25 tournaments.
“I’m happy to have Kirk on our staff, and the work that he has done to help evolve and improve our offense has been evident,” Gard said. “Not only has our offensive efficiency improved drastically, but individually our players saw results and improved productivity. I’m confident that we are just scratching the surface of how we can continue to grow. Kirk is not only a great offensive mind, but he also brings a wealth of basketball knowledge and a deep understanding of the game at a number of levels. He has great passion for Wisconsin and a deep understanding of our program.”
“I’m so thankful to be able to continue coaching with Coach Gard and this staff, and I’m excited about next year’s potential,” Penney said. “We’re looking forward to adding some talented players this offseason that fit our current roster and the systems we’ve been implementing. This place is so special to my family and I. Being able to directly impact and support our Badgers is an honor and a blessing that we don’t take for granted.”
Penney was an All-Big Ten standout as a player at Wisconsin, winning a pair of Big Ten titles with the Badgers and part of a Final Four run. An honorable mention AP All-American as a senior in 2003, Penney became the first Badger to earn consecutive first-team All-Big Ten honors (2002-03) since Ab Nicholas in 1951-52.
A member of the UW Athletic Hall of Fame, Penney finished his career at Wisconsin ranked second in school history in career 3-pointers made (217). He scored 1,454 points at UW, which currently ranks 14th in school annals.
Penney represented New Zealand at two Olympic Games (2000 and 2004) and four FIBA World Cups (formerly known as the FIBA World Championships). He was part of New Zealand’s memorable fourth-place finish at the 2002 World Championships, averaging 16.9 points per game and shooting 45.5 percent from 3-point range. Penney ranks 12th all-time in scoring at the FIBA World Cup, scoring 447 points in 27 games (16.6 points per game).
Penney became the second New Zealand native to play in the NBA, appearing with the Miami Heat in 2003 and Los Angeles Clippers in 2005. He also had professional experience playing in Spain, Israel, Lithuania, Germany, Turkey and Australia.
Penney earned his undergraduate degree in landscape architecture from Wisconsin in 2015.
He and his wife, Audra, are parents to their daughters, Olivia and Ava, and sons, Ben and Josh.
Former All-Big Ten player to remain on Badger Bench
April 26, 2024
MADISON, Wis. – Kirk Penney will remain in his role as Special Assistant to the Head Coach on the Wisconsin men’s basketball coaching staff, as officially announced by head coach Greg Gard on Friday.
Penney returned to the Badger bench this past season, making an immediate impact through his focus as an offensive analyst on staff. Wisconsin averaged 74.7 points per game, the program’s highest scoring average in 30 years. In fact, the Badgers finished the year ranked 17th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency, rising as high as No. 4 during the season (per KenPom.com).
Facing the third-toughest schedule in the country, Wisconsin stacked up 22 wins and earned yet another NCAA tournament berth for the 23rd time in the last 25 tournaments.
“I’m happy to have Kirk on our staff, and the work that he has done to help evolve and improve our offense has been evident,” Gard said. “Not only has our offensive efficiency improved drastically, but individually our players saw results and improved productivity. I’m confident that we are just scratching the surface of how we can continue to grow. Kirk is not only a great offensive mind, but he also brings a wealth of basketball knowledge and a deep understanding of the game at a number of levels. He has great passion for Wisconsin and a deep understanding of our program.”
“I’m so thankful to be able to continue coaching with Coach Gard and this staff, and I’m excited about next year’s potential,” Penney said. “We’re looking forward to adding some talented players this offseason that fit our current roster and the systems we’ve been implementing. This place is so special to my family and I. Being able to directly impact and support our Badgers is an honor and a blessing that we don’t take for granted.”
Penney was an All-Big Ten standout as a player at Wisconsin, winning a pair of Big Ten titles with the Badgers and part of a Final Four run. An honorable mention AP All-American as a senior in 2003, Penney became the first Badger to earn consecutive first-team All-Big Ten honors (2002-03) since Ab Nicholas in 1951-52.
A member of the UW Athletic Hall of Fame, Penney finished his career at Wisconsin ranked second in school history in career 3-pointers made (217). He scored 1,454 points at UW, which currently ranks 14th in school annals.
Penney represented New Zealand at two Olympic Games (2000 and 2004) and four FIBA World Cups (formerly known as the FIBA World Championships). He was part of New Zealand’s memorable fourth-place finish at the 2002 World Championships, averaging 16.9 points per game and shooting 45.5 percent from 3-point range. Penney ranks 12th all-time in scoring at the FIBA World Cup, scoring 447 points in 27 games (16.6 points per game).
Penney became the second New Zealand native to play in the NBA, appearing with the Miami Heat in 2003 and Los Angeles Clippers in 2005. He also had professional experience playing in Spain, Israel, Lithuania, Germany, Turkey and Australia.
Penney earned his undergraduate degree in landscape architecture from Wisconsin in 2015.
He and his wife, Audra, are parents to their daughters, Olivia and Ava, and sons, Ben and Josh.
