Roman Penn (born September 1, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for Limburg United of the BNXT League. He played college basketball for the Siena Saints and Drake Bulldogs.

Roman Penn
Penn with Drake in 2019
No. 1 – Hubo Limburg United
PositionPoint guard
LeagueBNXT League
Personal information
Born (1997-09-01) September 1, 1997 (age 27)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2023: undrafted
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023–presentLimburg United
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× First-team All-MVC (2021, 2023)
  • 2× Third-team All-MVC (2020, 2022)
  • MVC All-Newcomer Team (2020)

High school career

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Penn attended Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond, Indiana, winning one regional and three sectional titles. As a senior, he averaged 15.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.[1] Penn, who stood 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m), did not receive offers from any NCAA Division I programs due to his size, and opted to attend Don Bosco Prep in Crown Point, Indiana.[2] After one semester, he committed to playing college basketball for Siena after being recruited by assistant coach Jordan Watson.[3]

College career

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Penn enrolled early at Siena, practicing and working on the scout team during his first semester.[3] He entered the starting lineup as a freshman.[4] On November 25, 2017, Penn recorded 14 points and a season-high 11 assists in an 85–76 win over Hofstra.[5] He missed his final nine games with a stress fracture and a cyst in his heel and underwent surgery.[6] Penn averaged 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and three assists per game. Following the season, he was released from his scholarship with the departure of head coach Jimmy Patsos.[7]

Penn transferred to Drake, choosing the Bulldogs over Northern Illinois, Kent State and Wright State.[7] He sat out for his next year due to NCAA transfer rules.[8] On March 6, 2020, at the MVC tournament quarterfinals, Penn recorded a sophomore season-high 26 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, leading his team to an upset win over first-seeded Northern Iowa, 77–56.[9] As a sophomore, he averaged 12 points, an MVC-leading 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game.[10] He earned Third Team All-MVC and All-Newcomer Team honors.[11] On December 18, 2020, Penn scored a junior season-high 25 points in a 75–57 win over South Dakota.[12] He suffered a season-ending broken foot against Evansville on February 21. As a junior, Penn averaged 11.2 points and an MVC-best 5.5 assists per game.[13] On December 5, 2021, he was ruled out indefinitely after reinjuring his foot.[14] Penn returned to game action on January 2, 2022, after missing seven games.[15] He averaged 11.1 points and 3.9 assists per game as a senior, setting the Drake record for assists.[16] He earned Third Team All-MVC honors at the conclusion of the regular season.[17] Penn repeated on the First Team All-MVC in 2022-23 and received votes for Player of the Year, though the honor ultimately was earned by teammate Tucker DeVries.[18]

Professional career

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On June 28, 2023, Penn signed with Limburg United of the BNXT League.[19]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Siena 23 19 32.3 .409 .338 .833 4.9 3.0 1.3 .2 9.7
2018–19 Drake   Redshirt
2019–20 Drake 34 34 30.6 .495 .403 .788 4.7 5.6 1.3 .0 12.0
2020–21 Drake 24 24 26.8 .452 .333 .702 3.3 5.5 1.4 .0 11.2
Career 81 77 29.9 .461 .360 .782 4.3 4.8 1.3 .1 11.1

References

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  1. ^ Hanlon, Steve (January 20, 2017). "Bishop Noll's Roman Penn signs on at Siena". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  2. ^ Hutton, Mike (March 4, 2017). "Don Bosco fills prep school niche for region's boys basketball players". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Kelly, Michael (January 17, 2018). "Penn a steady leader for Siena men's basketball". The Daily Gazette. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  4. ^ Kelly, Michael (November 24, 2017). "After rough start, Penn shows growth for Siena men's basketball". The Daily Gazette. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  5. ^ "Siena beats Hofstra 85-76 for first win of season". ESPN. Associated Press. November 25, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  6. ^ Singelais, Mark (March 15, 2018). "Siena basketball's Penn has heel surgery". Times Union. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Hutton, Mike (June 4, 2018). "Roaming Roman: Bishop Noll product Roman Penn follows friends in transferring to Drake from Siena". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  8. ^ Osipoff, Michael (January 9, 2020). "Bishop Noll graduate Roman Penn makes a splash in his debut season for Drake". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  9. ^ Oren, Paul (March 6, 2020). "Region products lead Drake to upset of Northern Iowa, led by Roman Penn". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  10. ^ Singelais, Mark (December 24, 2020). "Penn grateful for struggles in only year with Siena basketball". Times Union. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  11. ^ Osipoff, Michael (July 20, 2020). "Men's basketball notes: Bishop Noll product Roman Penn earns praise as part of Drake's talented local contingent". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  12. ^ "Penn's 25 Points Keeps Men's Basketball Perfect at South Dakota". Drake University Athletics. December 18, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  13. ^ Bain, Matthew (February 22, 2021). "Drake point guard Roman Penn out for season with broken foot". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  14. ^ Hertel, Alyssa (December 5, 2021). "Drake basketball point guard Roman Penn out indefinitely with small fracture in left foot". Des Moines Register. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  15. ^ "Penn Returns, Sturtz Notches Double-Double in Road Loss". godrakebulldogs.com. January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  16. ^ "Men's Basketball Preview: IUPUI & Wofford". Drake Bulldogs. November 8, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  17. ^ "AJ Green of UNI Headlines 2022 MVC MBB All-Conference Teams" (Press release). Missouri Valley Conference. March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  18. ^ Hertel, Alyssa (March 1, 2023). "Tucker DeVries named MVC Player of the Year, Roman Penn honored on first team". Des Moines Register. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  19. ^ Buyse, Peter (June 28, 2023). "Limburg signs rookie Roman Penn". Eurobasket. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
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