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Altitude Selects Penney First in 2004 NBDL Draft

November 5, 2004 - NBA G League (G League)
Asheville Altitude News Release


ATLANTA, Ga., - The defending NBDL Champion Asheville Altitude selected Kirk Penney with their first pick of the 2004-05 National Basketball Development League (NBDL) draft. A 6-5, 220 pound shooting guard from New Zealand, Kirk represented his country at the Olympic Games in 2000 and 2004, the Goodwill Games in 2001, and the World Championships in 2002.

Kirk competed four years at the University of Wisconsin where he finished his collegiate career as the sixth all-time leading scorer in Wisconsin history with 1,454 points, second all-time in three-point field goals made (217) and attempts (561), third in games played (127), and sixth in minutes played (3,416). Named as an AP Honorable Mention All-American as a senior and First Team All-Big Ten selection during both his junior and senior seasons, he averaged 11.4 points and 1.7 assists throughout his collegiate career.

"Kirk is a complete player, a real pro," said head coach Joey Meyer. "A skilled international player, he is a true leader and excellent offensive player who knows how to put the ball in the goal."

Former SEC Player of the Year Ron Slay was selected by the Altitude in the second round. A 2003 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Slay earned third team All-American honors from the Associated Press as a senior and finished his collegiate career as the 14th all-time leading scorer in Tennessee history with 1,569 points and ranks among the school?s all-time leaders in three point field goals made (11th) and free throws made (eighth).

"I am excited about going to Asheville, particular getting closer by my hometown of Tennessee," said Slay. "After playing overseas it will be great to come closer to UT fans and their great fan support."

Altitude preseason training camp begins Sunday, Nov. 7 at the UNC-Asheville Recreation Center. Each team will make their first cuts down to 12 players by Nov. 11 followed by NBDL exhibition games scheduled to begin Nov. 16. Asheville will face the Flight in their exhibition contest, Nov. 17, in Huntsville beginning at 7:00 p.m.

"I was a little nervous with the sixth and final selection of each round but after looking over the players, I am very pleased with the team we were able to put together," said head coach Joey Meyer. "We have some good players who are really going to compete hard for the each of the roster spots."

Additional 2004 Altitude draft selections include: John Oden (S. Indiana), Timmy Bowers (Mississippi State), Tony Kitchings (South Carolina), Chris Jefferies (Fresno State), Derrick Davenport (Texas Christian), Nate Burton (Georgetown), Tony Dobbins (Richmond) and Jay Johnson (UNC-Greensboro).

The Altitude tips off their first game, Nov. 20 against the Fayetteville Patriots, followed by the home opener Sunday, Nov. 21 against the Huntsville Flight beginning at 5 p.m.



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