Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

All former Badger Penney can do now is wait his turn

By MARK STEWART
mstewart@journalsentinel.comm
Last Updated: June 24, 2003

Madison - Kirk Penney's work is done.

The former Wisconsin Badger was in Atlanta on Tuesday for his final workout before the National Basketball Association draft Thursday night. Since competing at the pre-draft camp in Chicago three weeks ago, Penney worked out for Houston, Dallas, Memphis and the Hawks, said his agent, Guy Zucker.

Zucker said three other teams that watched Penney this past year said they would select the 6-foot-5, 218-pound shooting guard if he were available in the second round, although Zucker took those words with a grain of salt.

"It's great, but it means nothing until it's done because it doesn't cost anybody to give you a compliment," Zucker said.

Still, Penney appears to have answered some of questions about his game. He showed more athleticism than he was given credit for, and his 3/4-court dash was the fastest of anyone who played in the pre-draft camp.

According to Zucker, Penney's final two workouts - in Memphis and Atlanta - were his best. He shot better than he did in Chicago, where he made 4 of 14 three-pointers, and was strong off the dribble, Zucker said.

If Penney isn't drafted, Zucker expects at least five teams to extend camp invitations soon after the draft concludes.

"He is ready to contribute right now. He is not a project or a question mark," Zucker said. "He could walk in right now in the right situation and contribute in the NBA."



From the June 25, 2003 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel