The highlight of Penny Taylor’s career came this past summer when she led the Australian team to the 2006 FIBA World Championship gold medal. Taylor, who scored 28 and 26 points in the final and semi-final respectively, was named the tournament Most Valuable Player. The lowlight (arguably) of Taylor’s career came this past year when she was forced to watch from the bench with a hand injury as her Schio squad struggled and failed to win. Taylor came back in time to score 15 ppg in two games.

The 183-cm forward had a huge impact in her first major international tournament with the Australian national team. She averaged 15 points per game at the 2004 Olympics (on 53 FG%), including a 26-point, 10-rebound explosion against Russia. She also had a team-high 16 points in the gold medal game which Australia lost to the United States 74-63. …. Taylor established herself in Australia’s WNBL with the Dandenong Rangers. She was named WNBL MVP in 2001 after averaging 25.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg and 2.5 spg. …. Taylor has since played five seasons in the WNBA, most recently with the Phoenix Mercury. …. Taylor is playing her second season in Europe.