PENNY TAYLOR

NICKNAME: PJ

BORN: 24th May 1981

CLUBS: – WNB; Fenerbahce – Turkey

POSITION: Forward

NUMBER: 13

HEIGHT: 185 cm

YEARS PRO: 9

JUNIOR ASSOCIATION: Belgrave South, VIC

At 30 years of age, born has proven herself as one of the world's best players, and is one ’s finest world class sporting superstars.

The 2006-07 season was a breakout year for Penny, with incredible performances both in the WNBA and for the Australian national team, cementing her place amongst the games elite. In the WNBA, Penny led her team, the Phoenix Mercury, to their first ever WNBA championship with a nail biting final game five decider in which Penny led all scorers with 30 points. This capped off a WNBA season that also saw Penny named in the WNBA All Star starting five – for the best five players in the WNBA, the world’s toughest league. PENNY TAYLOR

Penny’s 2007 performance in the WNBA was no surprise to the basketball fraternity. Twelve months earlier Penny was instrumental in the Australian Opals world championship win and was awarded the prestigious title of the World Championship MVP (most valuable player), ahead of fellow Opals teammate .

Taylor took off the first half of the 2008 WNBA season to train with the Australia basketball team and prepare for the Beijing Olympics but decided not go back to Phoenix Mercury to finish the season, instead choosing to take a well- deserved break and spend time with family and friends.

In 2009, Penny again lived up to her high profile of being one of the most valued and prominent players in the world. Penny put her game winning pedigree to the test once again and successfully helped the Mercury to their second WNBA title in three years against Indiana in another grueling five game series.

In 2010, Penny was ranked 11th in the WNBA averaging 15.9 points per game. Her 161 total assists, was the most the second-most in a single season in franchise history.

2011 was another great year for Penny. During the regular season Penny averaged 16.7 points per game. Penny was one of the main reasons the Mercury made the Conference Finals. PENNY TAYLOR

Penny’s career began as a 16 years old at the AIS, later joining the in the WNBL. In 2001 she led the league in scoring and steals before being drafted by the in the first round of the WNBA draft. Penny has also had a distinguished career in the tough Italian league, where she has played since 2002, becoming one of Europe's headline players and leading her team Famila Schio to two championships titles as the team’s leading scorer and MVP.

Penny has been a member of the Australian National Team, the Opals since 1998 and has an impressive resume to say the least with two Olympic silver medals, a gold medal and was named MVP in the Opals’ gold medal winning effort at the 2006 world championships in Brazil.

In 2009, Penny’s looks were acknowledged as she was ranked the third hottest player in the WNBA and was involved in a photo shoot for men’s sport and fashion magazine, Alpha.

Off the court, Penny’s personal attributes, her outgoing personality, warmth, and natural beauty, mean she is a highly marketable athlete in today’s sporting world. She is well known throughout Australia, Europe and the United States of America due to her representation in the WNBA, the European League and International League. PENNY TAYLOR