Penigar’s hoop dreams
Former Utah State basketball star Desmond Penigar has taken his game to the next level, but he’s still looking to go one level higher.
An All-Big West Conference first team selection for the Aggies in 2001 and 2002, Penigar has graduated to the National Basketball Development League, the NBA’s minor league.
So far he’s pulling A’s in the NBDL, waiting for his shot at the NBA.
The 6-foot-7 forward stars for the Asheville Altitude, a team located in western North Carolina.
Penigar leads the NBDL in scoring, averaging 21 points per game, and is tied for third in rebounds, pulling down 7.6 boards a game.
Penigar is also an 89 percent free-throw shooter, good for second in the league.
His play has gotten him noticed, earning him the league’s Player of the Month honor in December. In addition to being a top scorer and rebounder during the month, he had two double-doubles and scored in double figures in every game.
Penigar said he’s happy to be where he’s at.
“This is the place you want to be in, outside of college, if you want to play in the NBA,” he said. “This is a great opportunity, not only for myself but for every player in this league.”
The NBDL game is a faster-paced, NBA-style game with players who have either been in the NBA or on its fringes, Penigar said.
“In the NBDL, there are no guaranteed wins,” he said. “There’s excellent competition every night. The players are a lot better than at the collegiate level.”
Altitude Head Coach Joey Meyer said Penigar can hold his own with the tougher competition.
“Des is the best scorer in the league right now,” Meyer said. “He has a knack for scoring. He can shoot the ball.”
Penigar said his time at Utah State helped him to get to the position he’s in now.
“I learned a lot from playing up there [for Coach Morrill], about preparing for games and always being ready,” he said.
There’s still room for improvement, Meyer said, but Penigar is putting in the time.
“The focus that we’ve got for him right now is at the defensive end, rebounding and trying to expand his game,” Meyer said. “For him to play at the NBA level, he’s going to have to be able to guard [small forwards], and improve his quickness and athleticism at that position, but he’s a great young guy, he works hard, and he tries to get better every day.”
While Penigar looks forward to the future, he still keeps in touch with his past and his old teammates at USU.
“I have some friends at Utah State and we talk, they tell me what’s going on,” he said. “They’re 11-1, one of the best records in Utah State history, they’re playing awesome right now. I just hope they keep it up.”
Any words of advice for his old team?
“They should know that they’re playing not only for Utah State but for their future status and prospects, so they can prepare themselves for what’s coming after they graduate,” Penigar said. “There’s not going to be guys to protect you, to watch over you. You’re on your own after you graduate.”
Penigar said his own graduation was his best memory of Utah State.
“That was my ultimate goal,” he said. “I achieved that. All of the basketball stuff was second, getting my degree was first. Getting my degree outweighs any accolades that I achieved [playing basketball] at Utah State.”
Penigar graduated with a degree in criminal justice, and he plans to pursue a master’s degree in business.
“Basketball’s not going to be there the rest of my life,” he said.
For right now, though, basketball is his life. Sometimes it can feel like a journey.
“We travel a lot, we see a lot of the road,” Penigar said. “Every road trip is at least 12 hours, but as far as basketball goes this is great competition. This is just a great situation, getting better every day.”
Penigar’s name has been mentioned in connection with roster openings on NBA teams, even if only to a 10-day contract, but Penigar said he tries to stay focused.
“My name is up there, but to tell you the truth, the only thing I can do is concentrate on playing basketball,” he said. “[NBA teams] can talk to my agent and my coach, but the only thing I have control of is playing basketball on the court.”
-royburton@cc.usu.edu