Penina Davidson

Penina Davidson (born 2 September 1995) is a New Zealand professional basketball player.

Penina Davidson
No. 12 – Melbourne Boomers
PositionForward
LeagueWomen's National Basketball League
Personal information
Born (1995-09-02) 2 September 1995
Auckland, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealand
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Career information
High schoolRangitoto (Auckland, New Zealand)
CollegeCalifornia (2014–2018)
WNBA draft2018: undrafted
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2019Adelaide Lightning
2019–presentMelbourne Boomers
2023Northern Kāhu
Career highlights and awards
  • TBA champion (2023)
Medals
Representing  New Zealand
Women's Basketball
FIBA Oceania Championship
Silver medal – second place2013 Australia / New Zealand Team
Silver medal – second place2015 Australia / New Zealand Team

College

Davidson played college basketball at the University of California, Berkeley, playing with the Golden Bears in the Pac-12 Conference of NCAA Division I.[1]

Statistics
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2014–15 California 34 0 11.8 .455 .400 .500 1.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.8 3.3
2015–16 California 32 8 22.8 .475 .219 .467 4.0 0.8 0.4 0.8 1.5 5.7
2016–17 California 33 25 22.8 .476 .286 .596 5.3 1.0 0.6 0.9 1.6 6.5
2017–18 California 32 32 24.8 .480 .250 .661 7.0 0.7 0.3 0.7 1.5 7.4
Career 131 65 20.4 .474 .286 .574 4.4 0.7 0.4 0.6 1.3 5.7

Career

WNBL

In 2018, Davidson would make her professional debut after she was signed by the Adelaide Lightning for the 2018–19 WNBL season.[2] There she was under head coach Chris Lucas, and played alongside the likes of Nia Coffey, Stephanie Blicavs and Lauren Nicholson, making a Finals appearance in her debut season.

In 2019, Davidson signed with the Melbourne Boomers for the 2019–20 season.[3] In signing with the Boomers, Davidson joined several of her Tall Ferns teammates all playing under national team head coach, Guy Molloy.

In July 2020, Davidson signed to return to the Boomers for the 2020 hub season based in North Queensland.[4]

TBA

In 2023, Davidson helped the Northern Kāhu win the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa championship.[5]

National team

Youth level

Davidson made her international debut for the New Zealand under-17 team at the 2009 FIBA Oceania Under-16 Championship in Brisbane, Queensland, at just the age of 14.[6] She would take home the Silver medal at the Under-16's in both 2009 and 2011. In 2012, Davidson represented NZ at the FIBA Oceania Under-18 Championship in Porirua, New Zealand.[7]

Senior level

Davidson made her senior international debut with the Tall Ferns at the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship. She has taken home the silver medal on two occasions. Purcell played for the Tall Ferns at the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Nantes, France. After losses to France and Cuba, New Zealand failed to qualify. Davidson also represented the Tall Ferns at the 2019 FIBA Asia Cup in Bangalore, India, where New Zealand placed fifth overall.[8]

Penina also led the Tall Ferns at the 2023 FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Sydney, Australia, where she averaged 13.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. The Tall Ferns placed fourth and booked a spot in the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Davidson was named to the All Star 5 at this tournament.[9]

Personal life

Davidson has been open about her battles with bipolar disorder, and its affects on her playing, including periods of self-harming.[10][11] She was hospitalized and after her diagnosis she has said that life became much easier.

References
  1. "Penina Davidson – Women's Basketball". University of California Golden Bears Athletics.
  2. Adelaide (17 July 2018). "Lightning adds Tall Fern's talent Penina Davidson to squad – Adelaide Lightning". Adelaide Lightning. wnbl.basketball.
  3. "PENINA DAVIDSON – Melbourne Boomers WNBL". facebook.com/MelbourneBoomers.
  4. Melbourne (11 July 2020). "PENINA DAVIDSON BACK TO BOOM FOR WNBL SEASON 2020/21". Melbourne Boomers. wnbl.basketball.
  5. "KAHU CROWNED 2023 CHAMPIONS". tauihi.basketball. 10 September 2023. Archived from the original on 13 September 2023.
  6. "Penina Davidson's profile – 2009 FIBA Oceania U16 Championship for Women". archive.fiba.com. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  7. "Penina Davidson's profile – 2012 FIBA Oceania U18 Championship for Women". archive.fiba.com. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  8. "Penina DAVIDSON at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2019". FIBA.basketball.
  9. "Tall Ferns coach happy with fourth place". Otago Daily Times.
  10. Landells, Steve. "Tall Ferns Star Penina Davidson Shares Her Ongoing Battle With Bipolar Disorder". Now To Love.
  11. "PENINA DAVIDSON: CALI LOVE & BASKETBALL — Coconet". www.thecoconet.tv. Archived from the original on 25 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
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