| 25 October 2011
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MIKE PENBERTHY Position: Shooting Guard Height: 6' 3" Weight: 185 lbs. Jersey Number: 12 College: The Master's College Seasons with Lakers: 2000-02 Averages as a Laker: 41.5% FG / 39.6% 3Pts. / 88.6% FTs / 4.9 PPG / 1.2 RPG / 1.3 AST / .43 STL / .04 BLK / .61 TO / 1.02 PF / 15.4 MPG |
Penberthy was never drafted, although he was onced projected as the #2 overall pick behind Allen Iverson in 1996 (no joke!). Well, that is before he blew out a knee trying out for the Indiana Pacers. But, he persevered and paid his dues playing in the CBA (Idaho Stampede and Quad City Thunder), Athletes in Action sports ministry, the Hamburg Tigers (Germany) and driving a forklift at his cousin's warehouse in Riverside, California.
After the NBA lockout in 1999, Penberthy got an invite from the Lakers to attend training camp, and the rest is history. Mike was brought in to replace Glen Rice as the team's new 3-point bomber but had to prove himself against the likes of Isiah Rider and Tryonn Lue. It didn't take long for Phil to give him the nod to play behind both Ron Harper and Brian Shaw. His accuracy from outside was just too much for Phil not to take advantage of.
However, the 2000-01 season eventually exposed Penberthy's 2 biggest weaknesses — toughness and defense. His liability on the defensive end was too heavy even for his offense to carry which eventually caused Phil to bench him in the entire post-season and also ending his NBA career. The Lakers waived Penberthy 3 games after the start of the 2001-02 season on Nov. 10, 2001.
He then went to Italy and back to Germany following his 1-year stint with the Lakers. Penberthy helped the Alba Berlin win the German cup in 2006 and retired from basketball 2 years later.
Mike is currently a shooting coach and owns Pro Shooting Coach. He also finds the time as a guest speaker to talk basketball and about his short-lived career in the NBA at schools and basketball camps across the nation. His current clients include Sacramento's Isiah Thomas and rookie Jimmer Fredette.
Did You Know?
> Mike is a close friend of Shaq.
> Penberthy's alma mater The Master's College was founded by his grandfather.
> He drove a '97 Hyundai for 6 weeks even after signing an NBA rookie minimum salary of $317,000.
> He onced missed shootaround practice after the police denied him entry to Staples Center. The officer refused to believe Penberthy played for the Lakers.
