A year-long courtship has culminated in the Harvey Norman NZ Breakers signing Kirk Penney for the forthcoming NBL season.

The 26-year-old guard, one of only two New Zealanders to ever play in the NBA (the other being Sean Marks), will join the club after the Tall Blacks’ international programme. He will make his Breakers debut on September 20 against the Cairns Taipans at the North Shore Events Centre.

Penney's NBA experience includes stints with the Miami Heat in 2003/04, and the Los Angeles Clippers in 2004/05. The sharp-shooter most recently played in Europe with German club ALBA Berlin.

Penney has not been based in New Zealand since he left for the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1999. A desire to return home and a chance to help the Breakers up the NBL ladder were the driving forces behind his signing.

“I’ve been gone a while, so I’m looking forward to coming home,” Penney said. “To get the opportunity to play for the Breakers at a time where you can help make a difference and attempt to turn fortunes around is something I want to do.”

Penney said Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis had been in touch with him “for well over a year” and a homecoming had been lingering in the back of his mind.

“It wasn’t the path I thought I’d be taking, but the cards have fallen the right way and I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to this season,” Penney said.

“I have a gut feeling about things. It’s the right time to re-connect with home and I want to enjoy a season with a great group of people. Family is important to me, and the Breakers seem to be a supportive family-oriented environment. I’m going in with all my heart.”

Penney is well aware of the Breakers’ history and was disappointed to see a lengthy losing streak derail their promising play-off hopes last season.

“That’s the nature of sport; sometimes there are specific factors and other times it’s just luck.

“But I can see the direction the Breakers are heading in and I feel like it’s going to be a fun journey. I’m not going to look too far ahead, simply prepare as well as possible for the challenges and enjoy the ride.”

Penney is impressed with the roster the Breakers are shaping and is looking forward to sharing the court with former Boomers star Tony Ronaldson.

"He’s played at a high level for a long period of time and he’s got it all – size, skill, leadership. You just can’t replicate that experience.

“And I’m looking forward to being with a core group of Tall Blacks and some great young guys.”

Lemanis is in no doubt that Penney’s signing, which is subject to approval from the NBL, is “a major coup” for the Breakers.

“Only two Kiwis have played in the NBA. He’s one of them,” Lemanis said. “And to play as an import in the extremely cut-throat European leagues speaks volumes for his playing ability.

“For me, all that is awesome, but getting to know him better over this past year I’m equally excited about the quality of the guy as an individual. He has great values and will be a superb fit with the club.

“He’s also a proud New Zealander and he wants his country to do well on the world stage. He’s determined to help the Breakers make a major impact in the ANBL and the fact that he’s coming now, when he’s in his prime, is exciting.

“To join us when he’s got the world at his feet is a gutsy move and we’re rapt to have him. He’s made that leap of faith and we’ll all be working hard to ensure we repay that faith.”