Cairns Taipans forward, Nyul Nyul, Bunuba and Jabirr Jabirr man Keanu Pinder, has been recognised as the National Basketball League's most improved player for the second consecutive year.
He is the first player in the league's history to be named most improved twice.
The explosive 210cm forward took out the award at the NBL's Andrew Gaze MVP Awards Night after receiving 48 votes, two ahead of fellow First Nations star Will McDowell-White who suits up for the New Zealand Breakers.
Pinder received the award for his stellar 2022/23 season where he averaged a near double-double, ranked second in points per game and first in rebounds for the Taipans.
He averaged 16.9 points per game on 50 per cent shooting and collected 9.3 rebounds per game, whilst also dishing out an average of 2.3 assists per outing, numbers that also earned him All NBL Second Team honours.
His contribution at each end of the floor lead the Taipans to a 18-10 record, ranking them third ahead of the upcoming NBL Finals series.
Taipans coach Adam Forde collected Pinder's award on his behalf, with the star missing the Awards following facial surgery after a stray elbow caught his face in the Taipans' Round 17 loss to South East Melbourne.
Forde said Pinder's attitude is what makes him such a valued member of the Taipans' roster.
𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 🐍
Keanu Pinder makes hisstory with Cairns, becoming the first NBL player to ever win the MOST IMPROVED PLAYER award TWICE! 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/7OEI4Ds3dS
— Cairns Taipans (@CairnsTaipans) February 7, 2023
"It's a testament to his work ethic and his amazing support family that he has around him, his teammates and the coaching staff and more importantly him," he said.
"He's genuine. What you see is what you get. He's got a great game, he's got a great smile and he's just a great person to be around.
"I'm happy that he's getting this success because he deserves it and I couldn't speak (more) highly of someone like I do Keanu."
Ford, who took out the Lindsay Gaze Trophy for Coach of the Year, said Pinder's best may still be ahead of him.
"His ceiling's uncapped. He might win it three years in a row, who knows," Forde said.
"His potential is limited to what he wants to do."
In a video message played on Awards Night, Pinder thanked to the coaching staff for supporting him through the season.
"I just want to thank Adam Forde," he said.
"My coach has been there for me all season and gave me the opportunity to play basketball and I can't thank him enough for that.
"I want to thank Kerry (Williams), Sam (Gruggen) and Will (Lopez)… You guys have just been great for me."
Due to his facial injury and subsequent surgery Cairns will effectively be without Pinder for the rest of the season unless the Taipans make it to the finals.
However in paying tribute to the support of his team mates the injured star believes the Taipans can win the competition if he does remain injured on the sidelines.
"I hope that I can make it for the grand final if you guys make it but I really believe that you guys will," Pinder said.
"You guys can win this whole thing with or without me, I've got no doubt."
The Taipans will host the Tasmania JackJumpers at the Cairns Convention Centre at the Seeding Qualifier on Thursday.
