Wisconsin Basketball Adds Former Star Player to Coaching Staff

Kirk Penney, a prominent figure in Wisconsin men’s basketball history, is making a return to the Badgers bench for the 2023-24 season. Head coach Greg Gard proudly announced Penney’s appointment as Special Assistant to the Head Coach on Monday afternoon.

Penney, who had a remarkable college career with the Badgers that spanned from 1999 to 2003, is celebrated for his noteworthy contributions to the team’s success, including a Final Four appearance in 2000 and consecutive Big Ten titles in 2002 and 2003. 

He is also the first player since Ab Nicholas in 1951-52 to earn back-to-back first-team All-Big Ten honors.

Wisconsin Basketball Adds Kirk Penney to the Coaching Staff 

Greg Gard expressed his excitement about Penney’s return, acknowledging his deep-rooted connection to the Badgers program and his invaluable experience in the game. 

He believes Penney’s knowledge and passion for the game, combined with his understanding of the program’s values, will be a tremendous asset to both the players and the overall program.

“I’m excited to welcome Kirk back to our program,” Gard said. “His knowledge of not only what it means to be a Badger but also his worldwide experience in the game of basketball will be a great asset to our players and program overall. Kirk checks all of the boxes in terms of his knowledge of our program, his mind for the game, his wealth of playing and coaching experience, and his love for the Badgers. I’m happy to have Kirk back at Wisconsin.” 

In response, Penney expressed his gratitude to Coach Gard for this opportunity to reunite with the Wisconsin Basketball family.

“I’m thankful to Coach Gard for this opportunity to rejoin the Wisconsin Basketball family,” Penney said. “It’s an exciting season ahead, with a fantastic coaching staff and talented players on the roster. Some of my fondest memories are with this program, and I’m looking forward to creating more with this group. My wife, Audra, is also a Badger, having played volleyball here, so it’s neat for the family to be contributing to Bucky’s success once again.” 

Kirk Penney’s impressive college career ranks him 14th in career points scored at Wisconsin, with 1,454 points. His accolades also include an honorable mention as an AP All-American in 2003.

In addition to his college achievements, Penney had a remarkable international basketball career. He represented New Zealand at two Olympic Games and four FIBA World Cups. Notably, he was a key part of New Zealand’s fourth-place finish at the 2002 World Championships, averaging 16.9 points per game and showcasing his sharpshooting ability with a 45.5 percent 3-point shooting rate.

Penney’s international success extends to his impressive performance at the FIBA World Cup, where he is ranked 12th all-time in scoring, having scored 447 points in 27 games.

Moreover, he became the second New Zealand native to play in the NBA, having played for the Miami Heat in 2003 and the Los Angeles Clippers in 2005. His professional career also included stints in Spain, Israel, Lithuania, Germany, Turkey, and Australia.

Kirk Penney’s return to the Wisconsin Basketball program will surely be a significant boost for the Badgers, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of what it means to wear the cardinal and white.