Kleon Penn, who has been playing Basketball in Puerto Rico, has now formally transferred his National eligibility to Puerto Rico in order to try and further his dreams. Photo: Supplied

Penn will be a ready made replacement for Saniel Santiago and currently leads the Tournament with 77 blocks and averages 19 minutes playing time per game. Photo: Provided

Kleon Penn said he took a long time making the decision, but with the support of family and friends will now be able to pursue his desire of Olympic and World Championships qualification. Photo: Supplied

Whilst opening up new doors for Penn who was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, such a move does affect the development of the game in the [Biritsh] Virgin Islands as a pillar of the senior team will no longer be available.

However, the move required the full support of BVIBF President Byron Hodge, which was given to allow the Player to transfer national allegiance.

Penn grew up and developed on the island of Tortola, learning to play basketball at a tender age and after completing high school he fine-tuned his skills at McNeese State University.

In 2007, Penn played for the first time in Puerto Rico as a member of the British Virgin Islands National Team and that was when the Directors of the Puerto Rican Federation knew that Penn was born in Fajardo and reportedly began enquiries into switching sports citizenship.

A few days ago, the owners of the Humacao/Carolina chieftains/Giants formalised their request to the BVIBF to allow the switch of Penn as a registered player of the BVI to Puerto Rico and allow him to play for his new National Team.

"Two or three days ago I talked to executives of the BVIBF and President Byron Hodge is supporting the transfer to Puerto Rico one hundred percent,” revealed Penn. "It is a personal decision. It was something that I always thought from the first time that I knew that I could represent Puerto Rico. It took me four years to make this decision. It is a big step in my career. It's something that's going to help as a player. I will take it to another level. There were many years analyzing it, until this year I took her," continued Penn.

A  FIBA rule allows the athletes request for a transfer if eligible. That was the case of Charlie Villanueva, who represented the United States in his youth and then asked for a change to play with the Dominican Republic.

FIBA also ensures that transfers will help the development of federations. In the case of Penn, the British Virgin Islands programme would suffer since he is a cornerstone in a pool where there is already a shortage of players with professional experience.

The documentation of the transfer of Penn has already been submitted by the local Federation, but it was not possible to get a reaction from the Federal President, Carlos Beltran, to see if the request will be approved by FIBA.

Penn’s agent doesn’t foresee any problems, however. “I don't think that there are any problems. Kleon already spoke with the President of the British Virgin Islands and has their support," he said.

Penn discussed his decision with his family and teammates and said that the majority supported it. "My mom told me that she supported me, she knows how much I love my island. And my friends also support me and they have made this easier than I thought,” he commented

The Puerto Rico-born Penn is through his fourth season as a native player in the National Superior Basketball (BSN), after being selected in the draw for 2010 and has the dream of reaching the World Championships and Olympics, something that seems within reach as a member of the national team.

Penn made the decision without any guarantee from the Federation that he will be selected but Penn will be in the front running as a replacement to the retiring Daniel Santiago. The other established player is Peter John Ramos. So Penn looks like a suitable option, with his solid defensive qualities.

He does have offensive limitations and is currently averaging 4.8 points with 4.7 rebounds per game with an average of 19 minutes playing time, but he is the leader of the tournament with 77 blocks (2.4).

"I know that I will have an opportunity to be on the team. Anything can happen. I'm going to give 100% to make the team. If I don't, it will be fine but it is a risk I am taking,” Penn said.