Former Harbour Breeze standout Penina Davidson was deservedly recognised at the Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) Awards Dinner on Saturday night in Wellington. Held in the Banquet Hall at Parliament the occasion recognised excellence and achievement in our game.

Penina was named the 2021 Female Player of the Year and overall MVP.

Her citation read:

Penina Davidson performed with distinction for the Tall Ferns at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup in Amaan, Jordan last October.

Now a veteran with 53 international games under her belt Penina led the Tall Ferns scoring and rebounding in Jordan with 15.4 points and 8.0 boards per game.

Her 26 points haul against Chinese Taipei usurped Jillian Harmon’s 23 points - in 2017 against North Korea - as the highest single game points tally for NZ at the Asia Cup.

In addition Penina’s double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds against India was the eighth of her international career and only Kalani Purcell, of current players, has recorded more.

Last month Penina helped the Guy Molloy coached Melbourne Boomers claim the 2021-22 Australian WNBL Championship – her first championship in her fourth WNBL season.

Currently Penina is playing for Cairns Dolphins in the NBL1 North competition. She has begun the season in stunning form averaging 18.3 points and 10.3 rebounds across the first three games. 

As a result her mother Bronwen accepted the awards on Penina’s behalf

For the second year running the FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR and overall Most Valuable Player is Penina Davidson.