BIO: David Pennisi was born in Innisfail (QLD). Pennisi received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1995. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (1995, 1996).

FAMILY: David’s brother, Michael Pennisi also played 31 games in the NBL. Pennisi holds Australian, Italian, and Filipino passports due to his heritage, with an Italian father and an Ilocano mother

NBL EXPERIENCE

David Pennisi made his NBL debut with the Townsville Suns at 18 years of age. He scored three points in his first game.

Townsville farewelled Cameron Dickinson (to Sydney) and David Blades (retired) while capitalising on league contraction to add Simon Kerle (via Geelong) and Tony De Ambrosis (via Gold Coast) to a returning core of Derek Rucker, Clarence Tyson, Jason Cameron, and Grant Kruger, with Keiron Mitchelhill and David Pennisi retained to round out the guard rotation, and David Pennisi (1.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.2 assists 0.1 steals, 0.1 blocks) contributing in nine appearances.

The Suns opened with a 113–115 loss to Melbourne as Andrew Gaze (37 points and 9 assists) and Blair Smith (26 points and 13 rebounds) edged Clarence Tyson (24 points and 10 rebounds), Derek Rucker (23 points, 12 assists, and 6 rebounds), and Tony De Ambrosis (21 points and 8 rebounds).

Round 2 brought a statement 104–86 win over South East Melbourne behind Clarence Tyson (34 points and 19 rebounds) and Derek Rucker (22 points and 8 assists), supported by Jason Cameron (14 points) and Simon Kerle (15 points) as David Pennisi (3 points) chipped in during a 9 minute stint. Brian Tolbert (17 points) leading the Magic.

The campaign pivoted in early September when Clarence Tyson suffered a season-ending knee injury, precipitating a six-game slide despite emergency signing Chris Sneed (15.7 points and 7.3 rebounds in 3 games), and it ended in a 100–102 elimination-style loss to Perth where Derek Rucker (36 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists) starred, Simon Kerle (20 points) and Chris Sneed (16 points and 10 rebounds) battled hard, but it wasn’t enough.

Townsville finished 14–16, tied for seventh but out on tiebreak, with Derek Rucker (25.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 2.6 steals) earning All-NBL First Team and club MVP after ranking second league-wide in scoring and assists and third in steals, Clarence Tyson (22 points and 13.7 rebounds) leading the NBL on the glass to join the All-NBL First Team.

David Pennisi played a limited role, averaging 1.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.2 assists. While his opportunities were scarce, he provided depth in the frontcourt and gained valuable experience as the team fell just short of breaking their playoff drought.

1998
After falling just one win short of a historic first playoff appearance in 1997 due to Clarence Tyson’s late-season knee injury, the Townsville Suns entered 1998 determined to finally break through. Head coach Mark Bragg returned for his sixth season, retaining captain Derek Rucker, Simon Kerle, Jason Cameron, Tony De Ambrosis, Grant Kruger, Keiron Mitchelhill, Brad Davidson, and David Pennisi. The frontcourt was reshaped with veteran Shane Froling retiring and Tyson sidelined, prompting the Suns to sign former Geelong and NBA forward Ray Owes. Rookie Travis Lindstrom was also added to the roster.

The season began with Townsville stunning Perth on the road (89–87). Rucker (34 points and 6 assists) set the tone, Owes (19 points and 13 rebounds) impressed on debut, and Kerle (14 points) chipped in. Pennisi added steady minutes off the bench (1 point and 4 rebounds). Ricky Grace (21 points and 8 assists) starred for the Wildcats, but the Suns claimed a valuable early win. Inconsistency soon followed, and by early March the Suns had slipped to 2–6, leaving a playoff push in doubt.

Even in defeats, Rucker produced brilliance. Against Brisbane (116–98) he erupted for 51 points on 19-of-26 shooting with 11 threes, backed by Kerle (26 points) and Owes (12 points and 11 rebounds). Pennisi (6 points and 5 rebounds) gave an efficient cameo, though Leroy Loggins (37 points) carried the Bullets. Two weeks later, the Suns edged Brisbane (103–102) with Rucker (23 points and 10 assists), Kerle (20 points) driving the offence, and Pennisi (5 points and 2 rebounds) steadying the side.

Momentum returned in May with a marquee road win over Melbourne (114–96). Rucker (26 points and 15 assists) ran the floor, Kerle (19 points and 4 rebounds) provided perimeter punch, and De Ambrosis (21 points and 9 rebounds) delivered his best game. A week later, the Suns edged Sydney (113–108) with Kerle’s season-high (35 points), Rucker (29 points and 11 assists), and a breakout game from Pennisi (14 points and 4 rebounds).

Despite securing wins over playoff sides, poor form haunted Townsville. A three-game losing skid to close the season ended their push, leaving them ninth (12–18) and again just short of the club’s first finals berth.

Individually, Rucker (27.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 2.7 steals) led the NBL in assists and finished second in both scoring and steals. Owes (19.1 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks) dominated inside. Both earned All-NBL First Team honours, with Rucker also claiming club MVP. Kerle (18.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists), Cameron (7.5 points and 4.7 rebounds), and Kruger (7.3 points and 4.7 rebounds) all contributed, while Pennisi (5.2 points and 2.8 rebounds) carved out his best NBL season to date.

TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES
1998/99
The off-season marked a watershed for Townsville, as inaugural coach Mark Bragg was released after six years and Ian Stacker arrived from South East Melbourne to steer a full rebuild that coincided with a rebrand from Suns to Crocodiles after a trademark stoush with the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, a fresh identity that connected the club to North Queensland and echoed Stacker’s Australian under-22 “Crocodiles” who won FIBA gold in 1997, while Sam Mackinnon followed Stacker north in a move that strained ties with Brian Goorjian and instantly became the franchise centrepiece, and only four players returned from 1998—Simon Kerle, Brad Davidson, David Pennisi, and Jason Cameron—before Stacker rounded out the roster with Robert Rose (via Canberra), Andrew Goodwin (via North Melbourne), and James Harper (via South Florida), plus the homecoming of Michael Pennisi from overseas.

Townsville’s first outing under the Crocodiles banner delivered a 91–84 home win over Brisbane as Sam Mackinnon (18 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists), David Pennisi (18 points and 5 rebounds), Robert Rose (16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists), James Harper (15 points and 12 rebounds), and Simon Kerle (14 points) all hit double figures, with Steve Woodberry (31 points and 8 rebounds) leading the Bullets’ reply.

A rough patch followed with six straight defeats—Wollongong (86–99), Adelaide (89–94), Newcastle (96–102), Canberra (94–99), and Melbourne (87–102)—before the Crocs reset at home by beating Wollongong (93–80) behind Sam Mackinnon’s season peak (26 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists on 12-of-22 and 2-of-2 from three), supported by Simon Kerle (21 points and 7-of-8 FT), Robert Rose (20 points), Andrew Goodwin (13 points), and James Harper (13 points), while Clayton Ritter (22 points) topped the Hawks’ scoring.

Townsville’s most explosive offensive display arrived next in a 120-point December win over Canberra as Simon Kerle (33 points and 5 assists) caught fire, Andrew Goodwin (19 points and 5 rebounds) and James Harper (19 points and 13 rebounds) owned the interior, David Pennisi (7 points and 5 rebounds) added bench punch, and Melvin Thomas (21 points and 13 rebounds) led the Cannons.

Home-court muscle remained a theme with a 116–68 demolition of Sydney and a 90–89 upset of reigning champion Melbourne anchoring a mid-season surge, but closing losses to Sydney (101–119) and Adelaide (92–107) left Townsville 12–14 in seventh, narrowly outside the playoff places.

Across the campaign, David Pennisi (7.0 points and 3.6 rebounds) carved out a valuable frontcourt role, sharing minutes with his returning brother Michael to give Stacker size and physicality inside.

Robert Rose (21.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.8 steals) led the team offensively, while logging a league-high 47 minutes per game, alongside Sam Mackinnon (16.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks) delivered a breakout two-way season, Andrew Goodwin (14.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals) provided consistent inside presence, Simon Kerle (13.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) supplied perimeter offence, rounding out a core that hinted at upside even as the early skid ultimately cost a long-awaited finals return.

1999/00
Townsville’s second season under Ian Stacker featured a sweeping reset that left Brad Davidson and David Pennisi as the only links to the old “Suns” era just 18 months earlier. Import James Harper and veterans Simon Kerle and Jason Cameron (both to Brisbane) departed, as did David’s brother Michael Pennisi (to Philippines).

The core trio of Robert Rose, Sam Mackinnon and Andrew Goodwin returned, and Stacker reloaded with Mike Kelly (via Victoria), Pat Reidy (via Newcastle) and Ben Knight (via Sydney) to deepen the rotation.

The campaign opened with a 95–106 loss to Victoria, where Rose (29 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists; 14-of-15 FT) carried the offence.

Townsville then rebounded, beating Wollongong (99–88) behind strong play from Rose (17 points, 13 assists, 8 rebounds, 3 steals)—then blitzed Perth 123–81 in Cairns, won 98–88 at Sydney, and routed Cairns 103–75 before outlasting Adelaide 131–127 in a shootout where Goodwin (40 points, 15 rebounds) dropped a season high.

By early December Townsville had dipped to 4–6, then reset with a crisp 108–90 over Wollongong where Mackinnon (22 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds) delivered a triple-double, Brad Davidson (19 points) exploded off the bench and Pennisi (4 points in 5:17) playing a small role as the Crocs reasserted their pace-and-pressure identity.

The Crocodiles kept stacking wins through late November and December—Cairns (116–82), Wollongong (108–90) and Canberra twice (117–88, 128–101)—then closed the calendar year by crushing Brisbane 103–78 with Rose (14 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, 4 steals) posting a triple-double.

Townsville finished the season by defeating Brisbane (97–76) and locking in a club-record 22–6 (11–3 home, 11–3 away) and second place plus a first-round bye.

Townsville’s offence revolved around two primary engines: Andrew Goodwin (18.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals) captured NBL Most Improved Player and made the All-NBL Second Team. Sam Mackinnon (17.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.1 blocks) earned All-NBL First Team honours and was also named co-winner of the clubs MVP award with Robert Rose (17.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.8 steals).

Other key contributors were Mike Kelly (16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists), Pat Reidy (14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists) and Ben Knight (8.5 points, 4.4 rebounds), who landed Sixth Man of the Year. With the team’s added depth, David Pennisi (4.3 points, and 2.2 rebounds) saw his minutes and oppourtunities decrease, yet he was still a reliable part of the team’s second unit. Stacker was also recognised as NBL Coach of the Year.

The Crocodiles went on to face Perth in the semifinals, where Townsville fell short in Game 1 (101–104) despite Mike Kelly (29 points; 8-of-9 FT) producing one of his hottest offensive efforts and Mackinnon (16 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) notching up a triple-double. Pennisi featured briefly (6:28) as Stacker leaned on a tight rotation.

Game 2 at the Furnace levelled the series 101–78. Rose was a whisker from another triple-double (21 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists), Mackinnon filled every column (23 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals) and Reidy surged (22 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists). Pennisi chipped in (4 points in 9:42) during a dominant team response.

Game 3 in Townsville swung Perth’s way 84–104. Rose (33 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals) did all he could but the Wildcats’ core made sure Townsville’s playoff run ended here. Grace (21 points, 11 assists) leading the team offensively.

2000/01
Townsville kicked off 2000/01 largely intact, with Ian Stacker back on the sideline and the core of Robert Rose, Sam Mackinnon, Pat Reidy, Mike Kelly, Andrew Goodwin, Brad Davidson, Peter Crawford and David Pennisi returning after the club’s maiden playoff run in 2000, with import Dujuan Wiley replacing the exiting Ben Knight (to Cairns) the only notable change.

Townsville opened the season with a statement win against Queensland rival Cairns (120–85). Driven by Mackinnon (35 points, 10 rebounds) and Goodwin (24 points, 8 rebounds), while Rose flirted with a triple-double (13 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists). Pennisi (4 points and 2 rebounds) appearing for 8 minutes off the bench as well.

A 4–1 start to the season then hit a speedbump, with losess to Adelaide (105–121) and Perth (108–121) before consecutive losses to Victoria left Townsville 5–4.

Not long after, severe bone bruising ended Mackinnon’s season after 16 games, and Stacker moved on from Wiley (7.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks) after 16 outings, replacing him with Hinton (9.8 points, 6.0 rebounds).

Hinton’s arrival coincided with an eleven-game win streak, capped by a 126–63 destruction of Brisbane in Round 22, one of the biggest margins in NBL history. Pennisi (10 points and 7 rebounds) played 21 minutes off the bench and produced one of his best games of the season. Goodwin (22 points) led the team in scoring, with Reidy (18 points), Davidson (18 points and 7 assists). Additionally, Rose produced an 18–14–10 triple-double, while Kelly (8 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds) was close to recording one himself.

The Crocodiles finished the regular season 22–6—best in club history to that point and equal-best in the league—slotting second on percentage behind the Victoria Titans and carrying an eleven-game win streak into the finals.

Rose (22.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals) stepped up in the absence of Mackinnon (17.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.1 blocks across 16 games). Rose finished fourth in the league in both scoring and assists and fifth in free-throw percentage, made the All-NBL First Team and becoming the oldest player to win the NBL Most Valuable Player award.

Reidy (17.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists), Kelly (16.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals), who finishing top-five in league three-point percentage, and Goodwin (16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds).

Additionally, Brad Davidson (10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals) produced his best NBL season to date, drilling 100 threes and placing second in the league in three-point percentage, with Hinton (9.8 points and 6.0 rebounds) and Pennisi (4.7 points and 2.2 rebounds) sharing minutes at centre.

Townsville faced off against Sydney in the qualifying finals, where the Kings’ took game one (109-127) despite Rose pouring in 20 points.

Two nights later on 6 April, the scene shifted to The Swamp and Townsville levelled the matchup (121–113), before closing it out (122–114), with behind Rose (22 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) and Goodwin (20 points, 10 rebounds).

In the NBL Qualifying Finals, the Townsville Crocodiles drew Sydney and fell short in Game One, 109–127, despite a 28-point night from Robert Rose.

Back at The Swamp, Townsville leveled the best-of-three with a 121–113 victory powered by Pat Reidy’s 25 points, Rose’s 17 points and 9 assists, and an all-around line from Mike Kelly of 18 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.

The Crocs sealed the series in Game Three, 122–114, as Rose delivered 22 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and Andrew Goodwin added a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double to book a semifinal date with Victoria, a foe that had controlled the regular-season matchup.

Game One in Melbourne went to the Titans, 106–97, with Rose (26 points) and Reidy (19 points) leading Townsville while Tony Ronaldson (22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) and Darryl MacDonald (20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) paced Victoria.

Two days later on 17 April, a landmark 101–97 victory at The Swamp sent the Crocs to their first Grand Final, Rose (21 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists) filling up the stat sheet in multiple columns.

Wollongong would defeat Adelaide on the other side of the bracket, and face Townsville in the Grand Final series. Game one, Townsville dropped a close one (101-104), with Goodwin (29 points and 8 rebounds) having a great shooting night, but Rose (26 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists) finding himself in foul trouble. Pennisi logged a brief 1:28 cameo as Stacker rotated matchups.

Once the series moved to Townsville, the Croc’s evened the series (114–97), with a balance offensive attack that saw Goodwin (22 points, 13 rebounds), Kelly (21 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists), Reidy (17 points) combine for 60 points. Pennisi (7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in 8:56) was also brilliant in limited minutes.

Less than 24 hours later, game three was played with Wollongong again coming away victorious in a game determined by one shot (94–97). Despite a monumental effort from Rose (30 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals in 47 minutes), strong support from Kelly (21 points, 7 rebounds) and Goodwin (22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks) it wouldn’t be enough. Pennisi (5 points and 1 rebound) again playing well in limited minutes. Charles Thomas (23 points with 4 three-pointers, 10 rebounds, 5 assists), Glen Saville (18 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals) and Melvin Thomas (18 points, 12 rebounds) were best for the Hawks in the win.

WEST SYDNEY
2003/04
West Sydney entered the 2003/04 opting not to re-sign import Willie Farley and foundation duo Derek Rucker and Bruce Bolden. Instead, the team made history by becoming the first in the modern NBL era to field a full lineup of Australian talent. With John Rillie returning after spending half of the previous season in Greece and Sam MacKinnon back from injury, this was also the first season the roster had a clear “runway” to build continuity and challenge for a title.

The Razorbacks opened the season in dominant fashion, with Simon Dwight (26 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Sam MacKinnon (24 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists) both delivering near triple-doubles in a home victory over Hunter (119-103).

West Sydney started the season 3-1 before suffering a three-game losing streak, including defeats to Sydney (83-97), where Matt Nielsen dominated with 29 points and 8 rebounds, Wollongong (81-90), and Victoria (101-106).

With a losing record (3-4) and the season at a crossroads, the Razorbacks responded with a dominant 10-game winning streak, which included revenge victories over Sydney (97-87), Wollongong (109-105), and Victoria (107-95).

During this stretch, John Rillie (20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists) solidified himself as the team’s leading scorer, while Sam MacKinnon (17.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks) and Simon Dwight (15 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3.7 blocks) formed one of the strongest local trios in NBL history.

The starting five was rounded out by Aaron Trahair (13.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists) and Scott McGregor (13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists), while Russell Hinder (9.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists), rookie Steven Markovic (8.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists), and David Pennisi (5.4 points, 3.3 rebounds) provided valuable contributions off the bench.

Pennisi played a key reserve role as Dwight’s backup in the frontcourt, offering rebounding, defense, and size when the Razorbacks’ star big man needed rest. Appearing in 36 games, he provided reliable minutes in the paint, complementing West Sydney’s dominant inside presence with hustle and physicality.

The Razorbacks finished the regular season in third place with a 22-11 record, setting club records for most wins in a season, most home wins, and most road victories. They entered the postseason with strong momentum and eliminated Cairns (110-88) in the elimination final before sweeping Wollongong in the semifinals to reach their second Grand Final appearance.

Facing the minor premier Sydney Kings in the first-ever best-of-five NBL Grand Final series, West Sydney put up a strong fight. After splitting the first two games, the Razorbacks took a 2-1 lead with an 82-80 overtime victory in Game 3, bringing them within reach of their first title. However, Sydney responded in Game 4 before closing out the series with a 90-79 victory in Game 5. Despite the loss, Pennisi played a crucial supporting role in the playoffs, helping to relieve Dwight in key defensive moments.

Though they fell short of a championship, the 2003/04 season was one of the Razorbacks’ most successful campaigns. John Rillie and Sam MacKinnon were named to the All-NBL First Team, while rookie Steven Markovic earned NBL Rookie of the Year honours.