Keanu Pinder is set to return to Cairns after the Taipans signed the forward to a one-year deal ahead of NBL27, according to ESPN.
After spending last season with Japanese B.League outfit Akita Northern Happinets where he averaged 16.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, the 30-year-old returns to the franchise where he spend the NBL22 and NBL23 seasons.
Pinder's previous stint in Cains saw him back-to-back NBL Most Improved Player awards.
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During the 2023 season Pinder put up MVP candidate numbers, finishing the season averaging 17 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
The performance saw him named to the All-NBL Second Team.
Since last walking out for the Taipans Pinder has also spend time on the Adelaide and 36ers and Perth Wildcats rosters.
He helped the Wildcats reach back-to-back semifinals in NBL24 and 25.
Pinder has also been selected for Australia on multiple occasions, most recently as a replacement player for captain Will Magnay during the Boomers' FIBA 2027 World Cup qualifying double against New Zealand late last year.
Throughout his 142-game NBL career the 6'11" forward has averaged 11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
The Taipans will be looking to improve on last season's ninth placed finish by pairing Pinder with their core of Jack McVeigh and Reyne Smith.
