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The Illawarra Hawks have confirmed former New Zealand Breakers star and NBL MVP Kirk Penney will join the club this season. The signing of the four-time NBL All Star was predicted on the back page of Monday’s Mercury following a series of Twitter ‘‘teasers’’ yesterday. Penney was the League MVP in 2009 and helped the Breakers win the title in 2011. Under new coach Rob Beveridge, the Hawks have now signed stars AJ Ogilvy and Kevin Lisch - the League MVP in 2012 and and Grand Final MVP in 2010 - to their roster. Penney can play as a three man but also joins a long guard rotation at Illawarra this season with Lisch, Rhys Martin, Tyson Demos and ex-Sydney Kings guard Kevin White at the club. Penney had a star-studded CV in the NBA with both the Miami Heat (2003) and LA Clippers (2004 – 05) and was with the NZ Breakers between 2007 and 2010. During his time at the Breakers, Penney averaged 23.7 points per game and led the league in scoring twice. “To have Kirk join us at the Hawks is just incredible,’’ Beveridge said. ‘‘To have the calibre of Kirk play for us is going to bring a lot of excitement to not only the Hawks but also the entire NBL. “Kirk has played all over the world and is the consummate professional. Having two MVPs in our team this year is going to make us a very competitive and exciting team.” The signing of Penney leaves just one roster spot for the Hawks this season.

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