BIO: Pinder was born and raised in Derby, Western Australia, among the Nyigina people of the West Kimberley region.

His father, two-time NBL champion ‘Tiny’ Pinder, was a Bahamian backboard-smasher who starred for the Perth Wildcats, playing 220 games in the NBL which included a championship with the Perth Wildcats, but had his career was cut short due to off-court issues. Interestingly, it was Pinder’s mother Tracey, not his Father who who first introduced Keanu to basketball with Tracey having played for East Perth as a teenager.

When he was about sixteen Pinder travelled to Adelaide to play in a Indigenous basketball tournament and it was there that his athletic exploits caught the eye of legendary Indigenous baller Danny Morseu who encouraged him to pursue a career in basketball.

He attended Chisholm Catholic College in Perth before moving to the US to attend Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita, Kansas for his senior year.

FAMILY: Keanu Pinder is the son of Kendal Pinder who played 219 games in the NBL. His mother, Tracey Smith, is an Indigenous woman whose ancestry weaves through generations of First Nations people.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Keanu Pinder made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 25 years of age. He scored five points in his first game.

In 2020, Pinder returned home to Australia after spending his first year as a professional playing in Poland for two seasons. He signed with the Adelaide 36ers on a one-year deal.

‘ Keanu Pinder was a highly sought-after player in free agency, and we are thrilled he chose to join the 36ers. Together with Daniel Johnson and Isaac Humphries he will bring great athleticism and competitiveness to our team, and strengthen our offensive capability, which we promised our fans would be a priority for the upcoming season’ said Adelaide 36ers CEO Grant Kelley upon signing Pinder.

The 36ers seasons started off with the release of longtime coach Joey Wright. Wright was released amidst a number of issues with Adelaide players and was replaced by former Perth Wildcats assistant Conner Henry. The issues stemming from last season, also saw club co-captain Kevin White granted a release from his remaining contract and Nathan Sobey and Harry Froling moving to Brisbane. In a separate move, Obi Kyei requested a release from his contract, citing a desire to focus on his clothing line.

With the 36ers able to retain Jack McVeigh, Obi Kyei, Brendan Teys, Daniel Dillon and Alex Mudronja, Henry and the team’s GM of Basketball Jeff Van Groningen looked to fill the remainder of the roster. A flurry of off-season signings then saw the 36ers rebuild their roster. In the backcourt, Josh Giddey, who one month earlier had become the youngest player to debut for the Boomers since Ben Simmons on a Next Stars program contract. Sunday Dech (via Illawarra) was added to back-up Josh Giddey (three-year deal), and former NBA guard Donald Sloan was announced as the team’s first import signing. In the frontcourt, Five-time club MVP Daniel Johnson was first re-signed (three-year deal), then Isaac Humphries (two-year deal), fresh from a stint in the NBA and veteran forward Tony Crocker was signed as the team’s second import.

In their season opener, Adelaide chose to start young guns Giddey (18 years) and Humphries (23 years) against Melbourne and suffered a demoralising loss (65-89) which led coach Henry to change tact for game two. Adding some experience into the starting lineup, Sloan replaced Giddey at the point, and Pinder swapped roles with Humphries, the result being a eight point win over South East Melbourne (116-108).

In Adelaide’s third outing for 2020/21, Sloan returned to the starting lineup as the team lost a rematch against South East Melbourne and was sent back to the bench in favour of Josh Giddey for the remaining games. Despite recording a season-high 20 points off the bench in his next game, Sloan’s disinterest in playing off the bench saw him granted a mutual release to pursue playing opportunities elsewhere.

After Sloan was released, Dech was elevated into the starting lineup, and Jeremy Kendle was signed as a interim replacement player.

As Adelaide continued to juggle their lineup, they started the season off looking like a team bound for the playoffs (4-2), until the NBL season was disrupted by COVID-19. This led to the league installing the NBL Cup, a ‘bubble tournament’ that required the entire league to play the next eight games in Melbourne.

The Sixers struggled to win whilst based in Melbourne and, by the conclusion of the NBL Cup had fallen from third on the ladder to seventh. Although Adelaide would eventually release Kendle (5.1 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists) and bring in former NBA talent Brandon Paul, the 36ers would lose Humphries to injury for the remainder of the season shortly after. Jack Purchase was signed as his injury replacement player and was a part of the team for the remainder of the season. Daniel Johnson (19.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists) continued to deliver offensively, notching up career-high scoring numbers and leading the 36ers in scoring for the sixth time. He was subsequently named the 36ers co-MVP alongside Josh Giddey (10.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.6 assists), who led the league in assists and was also voted NBL Rookie of the Year award.

Pinder started in 20 games for the 36ers during his rookie season, averaging 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists. He recorded a season high 19 points as well as seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists in a Round 16 home win over the Bullets.

The 36ers slumped to a record of 13-23 and finished the season in seventh place in a disappointing season.

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2021/22
On 19 July 2021, Pinder signed a two-year deal with the Cairns Taipans with the second year being a mutual option.

Pinder was named the NBL Most Improved Player.

2021/22
On 19 July 2021, Pinder signed a two-year deal with the Cairns Taipans with the second year being a mutual option.

Cairns underwent a rehaul prior to the 2021/22 season, the first move being Adam Forde replacing head coach Mike Kelly. Forde, who had spent the previous season coaching the Sydney Kings, was tasked with finding some new firepower for the Snakes after losing the team’s leading scorer Cam Oliver to the NBA the previous season.

Imports Tahjere McCall and Stephen Zimmerman were brought in, alongside Keanu Pinder (via Adelaide) and rookie Bul Kuol (Detroit Mercy) to bolster a Taipans core which already included Majok Deng, Kouat Noi, Nathan Jawai, Mirko Djeric, Jarrod Kenny and Scott Machado who was named team captain.

The Taipans struggled to generate wins all season thanks to a glut of player injuries which saw Cairns unable to field a full roster in any game that season. Despite the team’s struggles, Forde was instrumental in developing the Taipans younger talent, many whom delivered career best seasons.

Majok Deng (14.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1 assists) had his best season to date, playing in every game for the Taipans and finishing second on the team in points per game and Keanu Pinder (10.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists), went on to be named the NBL’s Most Improved Player after doubling his points and rebounds from the previous season.

Another breakout season came from Ben Ayre (6.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists), who joined the team originally as a unpaid training player after being recommended to the team by former 36ers coach Joey Wright. Ayre was elevated into the full-time roster as an injury replacement in April, before going on to break NBL records in his eight-game tenure. On 18 April 2022, in just his sixth appearance for the Taipans, Ayre scored a team-high 20 points to go with 10 assists, four rebounds, three steals and four three-pointers in a loss to Melbourne (80-92). The 26-year-old became just the third player in 2021–22 to record 20 points and 10 assists in a game (alongside Bryce Cotton and Jaylen Adams) and just the second Taipan in club history to register 20 points and 10 assists. Lastly, first year player Bul Kuol (10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists), who had been told he was not guaranteed to be part of the rotation or receive any minutes, also saw injuries thrust him into the lineup and quickly became one of the Taipans’ most important players. He would be rewarded at seasons end by being named Rookie of the Year.

Scott Machado (10.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists) sustained a heel injury in round two of NBL22, missing more than six weeks with the injury. In April 2022, he re-injured his heel and missed the rest of the season. Machado and Tahjere McCall (16.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2 steals), who led the team in scoring, and assists, were selected as co-MVP’s of the team as Cairns finished in second last place (9-19).

2022/23
The 2022/23 season saw Pinder average 16.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists and play a key role in helping the Taipans to a third place finish (18-10). Pinder won his second NBL Most Improved Player award in a row in 2023, becoming the only player in league history to win the award twice.

PERTH WILDCATS
2023/24
On 19 July 2021, Pinder returned to his hometown Perth, signing with the Wildcats on a two-year deal.

At the time of his signing, Perth Wildcats head coach John Rillie said bringing Pinder back to Perth is a great start to building our roster for next season.

“Keanu has shown great improvement in his all-around 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.”

After missing the NBL playoffs in 2023, Perth decided to re-tool and build the team around younger talent. 18 year old French tyro Alexandre Sarr was acquired via the Next Star Program, import players Jordan Usher and Kristian Doolittle were added to the roster and David Okwera (via Melbourne), a Perth junior talent, signed to a multi-year deal and rookie Ben Henshall was signed, a move that would culminate with the Wildcats decision to buy out Todd Blanchfield (to Illawarra) and Mitchell Norton (to Brisbane) from their contracts.

Perth’s season began with a season-opening victory over Tasmania, where Usher (35 points) set RAC Arena alight in his Wildcats debut, scoring the most points ever in a Wildcat debut.

The new look roster struggled after that, however, losing five of their next six games, which culminated in a loss to Brisbane where fans and media began calling for a new head coach.

Perenial league MVP Cotton was also a key factor in the slow start, with a new offence run through guards Tai and Corey Webster, seeing him left routinely in the corners. Cotton’s lack of contact with the ball even resulted in his wife taking to social media and calling for change, something which made national headlines.

The Bullets loss prompted new addition Pinder (13.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.7 steals) to publicly promote that the team would win their next five games. His deep fortune-telling proceeded in the Wildcats, turning their season around.

After a poor showing across the team’s first seven games, Bryce Cotton (22.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals) broke out of his early-season offensive slump, scoring 29 points in a dominant win over Adelaide on November 4 and from this game onwards, he was the point guard of old.

In December, he dropped a season-high 41 points in a December 1 triumph over Sydney and across an eight-game span from December 15 to January 21, Cotton averaged 30.4 points, including four 30-point games and, in the process, sealed the MVP conversation.

The Wildcats’ success also came from a number of key moves from Rillie, moving Usher (12.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists) into a sixth-man role and bringing Hyrum Harris (5.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists) into the starting line-up. Harris instantly brought a level of competitiveness and defensive intensity to the squad, diving on the hardwood for a loose ball or flying in from the baseline to pluck an offensive rebound.

Despite being only 18, Alexandre Sarr (9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks) showed great poise for his age, showcasing his potential to be an NBA star. In only his third NBL game, Sarr came through in the final two minutes, nailing two triples against the Adelaide 36ers after Keanu Pinder fouled out and by the end of the season, he had skyrocketed by pre-draft scouting reports and was tipped to be the number two pick in the NBA draft.

Perth’s hot form saw them finish in second place (17-11) and return to the postseason. Cotton claimed his fourth MVP award at the end of the season, surpassing Brisbane Bullets legend Leroy Loggins (three), moving into outright second only behind leader Andrew Gaze (seven). Perth’s run during the second half of the season ended abruptly however, with a semifinal series loss to eventual champions Tasmania.

Pinder slotted seamlessly into the Wildcats’ starting five, providing a real presence in the paint with his size and rebounding ability. Pinder also became a crowd favourite at RAC Arena, adding to his ever-growing highlight reel with some amazing dunks including a 360 during the regular season and a poster on Tasmania’s Marcus Lee in the semi-final series.

The 28-year-old averaged 13.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.7 steals in NBL24, having an impact at both ends of the floor as he notched up career-best numbers in three-point percentage, three-pointers made, field-goals made, assists and steals.

Pinder reached double figures in 23 of 31 games last season, including three double-doubles and despite fighting through an injury plagued pre-season, Pinder finished second in the Gordon Ellis Medal count behind winner Bryce Cotton in a testament to his significant contribution to the Wildcats.

—–
short ending

Cotton claimed his fourth MVP award at the end of the season as Perth’s hot form saw them finish in second place (17-11), but saw their season end with a semifinal series loss to eventual champions Tasmania.

Harris finished the season averaging 2.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists, appearing in 26 games. Russo-Nance appeared in only three games as a development player, scoring a total of eight points.
—————–

dolittle? (9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists 1 steals, 0.3 blocks across 29 games
Tai Webster (8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists 0.9 steals, 0.1 blocks across 28 games
– Jesse Wagstaff (6.5 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists 0.3 steals, 0.1 blocks across 28 games
Corey Webster (6.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1 assists 0.4 steals, 0.1 blocks across 20 games
– Ben Henshall (3.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists 0.5 steals, 0 blocks across 16 games
– Michael Harris (2.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists 0.2 steals, 0.1 blocks across 26 games
– Dontae Russo-Nance (2.7 points, 0 rebounds, and 0.3 assists 0.7 steals, 0 blocks across 3 games
– David Okwera (1.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists 0.2 steals, 0.2 blocks across 17 games
– Jack Andrew (1 points, 0 rebounds, and 0 assists 0 steals, 0 blocks across 2 games
Kyle Zunic (0.8 points, 0.3 rebounds, and 0.3 assists 0 steals, 0 blocks across 10 games

notes
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Usher
However, the enigmatic two-way guard went through a form dip, leading to his removal from the starting lineup and into a sixth-man role. Most imports would’ve sulked about the move, but Usher took it in his stride.

Embracing his new role, he relished the opportunity of providing instant energy and offensive punch. On numerous occasions, coach Rillie praised Usher for his professionalism, with some games leaving him on the floor in tight situations late in games – notably the December 15 matchup against Tasmania.

Coach Rillie consistently praised Tai Webster, with the former New Zealand Breaker’s ball handling responsibilities, allowing Cotton to play off-ball. Teams used a tactic by leaving Webster wide-open for threes, daring him to unleash the trigger.
In four games from January 13-25, Webster averaged 18 points, resulting in the Wildcats winning three of four matches. His impact wasn’t through the numbers but through the intangibles.

Right away, Doolittle established himself as the defensive stopper, getting the assignment of matching upon one of the opposition’s best point guards, shooting guard, small forward, and power forward. The 26-year-old relished the challenge, making a valuable contribution on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he was rock solid, methodically working himself into the Wildcats’ offence, predominantly taking mid-range jumpers, adding another dimension and alleviating the scoring punch from Cotton.

”

Keanu Pinder currently plays for the Perth Wildcats and has played 117 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 10.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists since entering the league in 2021.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Perth Wildcats – 2 Year Deal (2023-25)

HIGHLIGHTS:

Dan Boyce (811 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.