Proud Nyul Nyul, Bunuba and Jabirr Jabirr man Keanu Pinder has signed a two year deal with the Perth Wildcats.
The 6'9" forward joined his hometown team for NBL24 after back-to-back breakout seasons with the Cairns Taipans, form which saw him become the first player in the competition's history to earn consecutive NBL most improved awards.
Labelled the "number one guy" in NBL free agency this season, Pinder joins the Wildcats after averaging 16.9 points per game at 50 per cent shooting, 9.3 rebounds per game along with 2.4 assists per game for the Taipans, numbers which at one point put him in NBL23 MVP contention.
Born and raised in Derby, Pinder is familiar with the Western Australian basketball scene, having played for local teams Lakeside Lightning and East Perth Eagles in his former years.
Following the signing announcement, he shared his excitement about being able to play for his hometown franchise.
"It feels great to be able to play in front of my family and the best fans in the country," Pinder said.
"I can't wait to get started and I feel like we're going to win a championship."
The son of Kendal 'Tiny' Pinder who won two championships with the Wildcats in 1990 and 1991, Pinder said he is looking forward to being a part of an organisation with a strong winning culture.
"Wildcats have such a rich culture and tradition of winning championships and I feel like I can be a part of that I think we will have the team to do it, I like the vision the club has for me and I think we're going to do well," he said.
Pinder's signing fills the void left by departing Wildcat Luke Travers, leaving the Wildcats front court depleted.
Wildcats' head coach John Rillie said Pinder's year-on-year improvement and rebounding ability made him an attractive recruit for the Wildcats.
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"We have put an emphasis on getting elite, local talent to the Wildcats this offseason and Keanu fits that mood so to bring a home-grown talent back, we're off to a great start," Rillie said.
"Keanu has shown great improvement in his all-round game over the last few seasons, his desire to work and compete for a championship is what caught my attention.
"He also rebounds at a high level so that addresses one of our weaknesses of last season."
Perth Wildcats General Manager of Basketball Operations Danny Mills reiterated coach Rillie's views of the 27-year-old athletic forward, saying Pinder strengthens the Wildcats at the defensive end of the floor.
"From watching the development of his game over the last few years in the NBL, he has been high on our list of targeted players to build next year's roster around and we can't wait to see him in a Wildcats jersey playing in front of the red army," Mills said.
"His ability to put pressure on the rim at both ends of the floor as an efficient finisher offensively and a rim presence and elite rebounder defensively is what we set out to address in free agency, and we feel we have done just that in bringing a star of the NBL back home in the prime of his career".
Pinder will join the Wildcats following the completion of his commitments with Spanish side Fuenlabrada in the Liga ACB competition.
