BIO: Dane Pineau was born in Fitzroy (VIC) where he attended Melbourne Grammar High School. He first began playing basketball as a junior with the Melbourne basketball program where his father Brad had played as a import.
Pineau received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2013. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.

FAMILY: Dane Pineau is the son of Brad Pineau who played 52 games in the NBL.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Dane Pineau made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 23 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Dane Pineau signed with the Sydney Kings straight out of college, joining a squad that had just lost Julian Khazzouh (to Lebanon), Jeromie Hill (to Sunshine Coast), Greg Whittington (to Sioux Falls), Aleks Maric (to Bahrain), Craig Moller (to Melbourne) and Josh Powell (to Venezuela) after the Kings missed the playoffs in 2016/17.

Jason Cadee, Tom Garlepp, captain Kevin Lisch and Brad Newley returned under head coach Andrew Gaze, who added Todd Blanchfield (via Melbourne), Perry Ellis (via Greensboro), Travis Leslie (via Fort Wayne), Isaac Humphries (via Kentucky), Dane Pineau (via Saint Mary’s), Amritpal Singh (via India), Sam Daly (via Chaminade) and Adam Thoseby (via Knox).

Sydney opened the season at home against Adelaide on October 7, where the rookie went scoreless but collected 2 rebounds and 1 assist in six minutes during his NBL debut as the Kings lost 105-96.

Pineau (2.9 points across 22 games) played a reserve role behind fellow rookie Humphries (6.8 points and 3.7 rebounds across 25 games), providing mobility, rebounding and interior defence in limited minutes before moving into the starting lineup for Sydney’s final three games.

With Lisch (10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 9 games) missing most of the season with a calf injury, Gaze signed former league MVP Jerome Randle and later added Jeremy Tyler as Sydney continued changing its import combination. Tyler was released after two months, creating further opportunities for the Kings’ young frontcourt during the final eight games.

Pineau’s best game came on January 19, when the last-placed Kings upset ladder-leading Perth 84-77 at Perth Arena. Pineau (11 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) made all five of his field-goal attempts and his only free throw in 16 minutes, recording his first double-figure scoring game in the NBL.

Randle (19.6 points and 5.3 assists across 17 games) led Sydney in scoring and assists, becoming the first player since Andrew Gaze in 1989 to lead the NBL in both categories. Ellis (15.6 points and 5.8 rebounds across 25 games), Newley (12 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 25 games), Cadee (10.3 points and 3.3 assists across 26 games) and Blanchfield (8.7 points and 4 rebounds across 23 games) were the Kings’ other main contributors.

Pineau’s defensive work earned him the Kings’ Best Defensive Player award, while Humphries was named NBL Rookie of the Year and Randle earned selection to the All-NBL Second Team.

The Kings completed a run of six wins from their final seven games and finished seventh with an 11-17 record, closing their season with a 101-86 home win over New Zealand as Cadee (30 points and 3 assists) led all scorers and Pineau (4 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist) started at centre.

2018/19
After winning six of their final seven games but finishing seventh with an 11-17 record in 2017/18 and missing the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season, Sydney retained Andrew Gaze for a third season as coach. Perry Ellis (to Cantù), Jason Cadee (to Brisbane), Todd Blanchfield (to Illawarra), Tom Garlepp (retired) and Isaac Humphries departed, while Jerome Randle re-signed and Kevin Lisch, Brad Newley and Dane Pineau returned. After winning the Kings’ Best Defensive Player award during his rookie season, Pineau entered his second year behind a significantly stronger frontcourt following the additions of Andrew Bogut, who returned to Australia after 13 seasons in the NBA and winning the 2015 championship with Golden State, Daniel Kickert (via Brisbane), David Wear (via Osaka Evessa), Deng Deng (via McKinnon), Kyle Adnam (via Melbourne) and Tom Wilson (via Melbourne). Sydney also became the first team to utilise the NBL’s new Next Stars program, signing McDonald’s All-American Brian Bowen as he prepared for the NBA Draft.

Before the season, Sydney travelled to Hawaii to face the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBLxNBA series on September 30. Randle (25 points) and Lisch (16 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists) led the Kings as they twice closed the margin to one point, but the Clippers eventually pulled away for a 110-91 win as Sydney struggled to match their speed and size.

Pineau (0.6 points across 26 games) saw his role significantly reduced after showing promise during his rookie season, with the improved roster and additional frontcourt depth leaving fewer opportunities. He averaged only 6.5 minutes per game, did not start a game and remained an energetic presence in practice and off the bench. Pineau played 24 of Sydney’s 28 regular-season games and both semifinals, with no injury listed during the season and his four regular-season non-appearances coming as his opportunities tightened within the Kings’ rotation.

Pineau’s best game came in Adelaide on November 10, where Pineau (2 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 assist) collected a season-high 10 rebounds in 11 minutes as Sydney defeated the 36ers 93-81. Newley (26 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Randle (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Kings, while Harry Froling (23 points and 7 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best.

Sydney added Ray Turner (via Bendigo) late in the season to provide further frontcourt depth and cover while Bogut dealt with back tightness, further limiting Pineau’s opportunities during the final weeks of the regular season.

Randle (17.9 points and 4.2 assists across 29 games) led Sydney in scoring and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Lisch (14.1 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals across 29 games) remained one of the Kings’ main two-way guards. Bogut (11.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.7 blocks across 30 games) anchored the interior and won the Andrew Gaze Trophy as NBL Most Valuable Player, the NBL’s Best Defensive Player award and All-NBL First Team honours. Newley (10.8 points and 4.6 rebounds across 30 games), Kickert (9.4 points across 30 games), Wear (6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds across 30 games), Adnam (6.7 points across 30 games) and Bowen (6.3 points and 3.2 rebounds across 30 games) provided the other major contributions.

At the NBL Awards, Pineau accepted Bogut’s Best Defensive Player award on his behalf while Bogut remained seated, delivering a mock acceptance speech and joking that “it means I’m the best defensive player in the whole league.”

Pineau was not used in Sydney’s final regular-season game against Cairns on February 16, where the Kings won 89-84 to complete an 18-10 season, finish third and secure their first playoff appearance since 2013.

Sydney opened its semifinal series against defending champion Melbourne at Melbourne Arena, where Pineau (0 points) played the final 1:36 as the Kings were beaten 95-73. Newley (17 points and 3 rebounds) and Randle (13 points) led Sydney, while Casper Ware (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) and DJ Kennedy (20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Melbourne.

Game two moved to Qudos Bank Arena, where Pineau (0 points) played the final 1:19 as Lisch (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Adnam (13 points) led Sydney, while Ware (30 points and 5 rebounds) and Chris Goulding (23 points and 3 assists) led Melbourne to a 90-76 victory and completed the semifinal sweep.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
2019/20
Following two seasons playing behind Andrew Bogut in Sydney, Dane Pineau (via Sydney) returned to Melbourne and joined the newly formed South East Melbourne Phoenix. Inaugural coach Simon Mitchell built the roster around marquee signing Mitch Creek, adding Ben Madgen (via Europe), Adam Gibson (via Brisbane), Kyle Adnam (via Sydney) and imports John Roberson (via Russia), Tai Wesley (via New Zealand) and Keith Benson (via Germany).

South East Melbourne’s first-ever game came against cross-town rivals Melbourne United on October 3 in the inaugural Throwdown. Starting at centre, he collected 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks without scoring as Creek (28 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) and Roberson (20 points) led the Phoenix to a 91-88 victory, while Shawn Long (26 points, 13 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) was Melbourne’s best. South East Melbourne made 12 of 23 three-pointers, but the win came at a cost when Wesley (8 points) suffered a hamstring injury after playing just five minutes, sidelining him for the next ten weeks.

Pineau (8.1 points and 8.7 rebounds across 28 games) immediately established himself as the Phoenix’s starting centre, starting all 28 games and not missing a game through injury or illness. Wesley’s injury increased his responsibilities in the frontcourt, with Jaye Crockett (8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds across 9 games) brought in as Wesley’s temporary injury replacement. Pineau led South East Melbourne in rebounding and led the NBL in field-goal percentage at 66.4 percent while averaging 26.3 minutes per game.

Pineau (12 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 assist) recorded his first double-double of the season against Illawarra on October 19 as Roberson (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 10 assists) and Creek (23 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne to a 106-102 victory, while Aaron Brooks (23 points and 5 assists) led the Hawks. The victory improved the Phoenix to 3-0, making them the first new NBL franchise to win its first three games.

South East Melbourne’s unbeaten start ended in Perth on October 25, with Pineau (5 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) contributing inside as Crockett (12 points) and Adnam (11 points and 4 assists) led the Phoenix. Terrico White (17 points) and Bryce Cotton (16 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth to a 110-79 victory.

Pineau’s highest-scoring game came against New Zealand on November 9, where he finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks as South East Melbourne defeated the Breakers 103-78. Creek (21 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Roberson (17 points and 9 assists) helped the Phoenix improve to 5-2, while Corey Webster (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) was New Zealand’s leading scorer.

Pineau delivered another of his best games against New Zealand on January 5, finishing with 17 points, a season-high 20 rebounds, and 1 block. Roberson (31 points and 8 assists) and Wesley (14 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) provided support, while Tom Abercrombie (24 points and 4 rebounds) led the Breakers to a 97-92 victory.

A week later, Pineau produced his best game of the season against Illawarra on January 12, making all seven of his field-goal attempts and finishing with 14 points, 19 rebounds, 1 steal, and 3 blocks. Kendall Stephens (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Madgen (17 points and 5 assists) provided support, while Todd Blanchfield (15 points and 3 steals) led Illawarra as South East Melbourne won 90-82. The victory improved the Phoenix to 9-11 and kept their finals hopes alive, with Pineau collecting 39 rebounds across consecutive games against New Zealand and Illawarra.

Benson (5.8 points and 3.9 rebounds across 16 games) had been part of South East Melbourne’s opening roster before departing (to Shabab Al Ahli) during the second half of the season, with Devondrick Walker (via the state league) joining the Phoenix midway through the campaign and averaging 7.4 points across 8 games.

South East Melbourne relied heavily on Creek (20.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals across 26 games) and Roberson (20.2 points and 5.6 assists across 28 games), while Madgen (12.1 points and 4.8 rebounds across 28 games), Wesley (10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds across 18 games) and Adnam (9.1 points across 28 games) provided the other major contributions. The Phoenix finished the season leading the NBL in scoring at 95.4 points per game, but after reaching the midpoint of the season at 6-6 they won only three of their final 16 games.

Pineau’s breakout season saw him finish runner-up to Will Magnay for the NBL’s Most Improved Player award, receiving 49 votes to Magnay’s 53. He also finished third in South East Melbourne’s inaugural club MVP voting behind Creek and Roberson and won the NBL’s GameTime by Kmart MVP Award.

Pineau finished the season against Melbourne United on February 16 with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks as Madgen (23 points and 4 rebounds) and Wesley (20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led South East Melbourne, while Chris Goulding (28 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) led Melbourne to a 109-90 victory, completing the Phoenix’s eight-game losing streak and leaving them second-last with a 9-19 record.

2020/21
After finishing second last with a 9-19 record during their inaugural season, South East Melbourne looked to add more talent around Mitch Creek. John Roberson (to Spain), Keith Benson (to Lithuania), Daniel Trist (to New Zealand) and Deng Acuoth (to Ballarat) departed, while Tai Wesley and Ben Madgen retired. Cam Gliddon and Reuben Te Rangi (both via Brisbane), imports Ben Moore and Keifer Sykes and development players Izayah Le’Afa and Tristan Forsyth were added, while Yanni Wetzell initially exercised his European out clause (to Riesen Ludwigsburg) before passport complications resulted in him returning to South East Melbourne.

Coming off a breakout season where he averaged 8.1 points and 8.7 rebounds and finished runner-up for the NBL’s Most Improved Player award, Pineau entered NBL21 dealing with a serious back injury which had kept him off the court throughout the preseason. The Phoenix expected him to miss at least the opening month and signed Mike Karena (via Nelson) as an injury replacement.

After missing South East Melbourne’s first 16 games, Pineau finally returned against Adelaide on March 20. Pineau (0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) played 11 minutes as the Phoenix recovered from a 14-point deficit and forced overtime before winning 96-89. Moore (23 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) and Wetzell (22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) led South East Melbourne, while Brandon Paul (20 points) led Adelaide.

Pineau (0 points across 1 game) was unable to build on his return, suffering a knee complaint which kept him out again before a wrist injury added to his problems. Surgery was ultimately required on both his knee and wrist and, with his back having already kept him out for most of the season, Pineau was ruled out for the remainder of NBL21.

“I’ve been out of the game for so long with my back, knee and wrist injuries so I realised even if I was to get myself healthy before the season finished it wouldn’t make sense for me to play,” Pineau said.

“I’d love to be playing and travelling with the guys but that’s part of sport. I’ve just got to get myself healthy and make sure next season I pay back the club.”

Creek (18.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) led South East Melbourne in scoring and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, with Sykes (14.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists), Adnam (12 points and 3.6 assists), Wetzell (11.2 points and 6 rebounds), Gliddon (10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals), Moore (10.4 points and 6.5 rebounds), Broekhoff (7 points and 3.8 rebounds), Te Rangi (6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds) and Le’Afa (6.1 points) providing support. With Pineau unavailable, South East Melbourne finished fourth with a 19-17 record and reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

South East Melbourne faced minor premiers Melbourne (28-8) in the semifinals, with Pineau remaining sidelined and all three games played without crowds at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena.

Melbourne would win the series in three games,with a 84-74 win in the decider.

2021/22
After making their maiden Finals appearance the year prior, South East Melbourne looked to go one step further, re-signing coach Simon Mitchell to a one-year deal and retaining Kyle Adnam, Ryan Broekhoff, Izayah Le’Afa, Cameron Gliddon, Dane Pineau and Mitch Creek. Keifer Sykes (to NBA) and Yanni Wetzell (to New Zealand) departed, with Tohi Smith-Milner (via Melbourne), Zhou Qi (via Xinjiang), Zach Hankins (via CEZ Nymburk) and Xavier Munford (via Bursaspor) added to the roster.

South East Melbourne opened the season against New Zealand at John Cain Arena on December 4, where Pineau (2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) started as the Phoenix defeated the Breakers 89-65, with Munford (27 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Creek (19 points) leading South East Melbourne, while Finn Delany (18 points and 9 rebounds) was New Zealand’s best.

Pineau (1.2 points and 3 rebounds across 25 games) entered NBL22 healthy after being restricted to one appearance the previous season. A back injury kept him sidelined for most of NBL21 before knee and wrist complaints required surgery and ultimately ruled him out for the remainder of the season and South East Melbourne’s first Finals campaign. Returning as the backup centre to Qi, Pineau provided rebounding, screens and defence in limited minutes. “Dane’s gonna be big for us… Dane rebounds well, he screens well, he defends really well.” Broekhoff said before the season.

COVID interruptions then forced South East Melbourne into a 28-day break without a game. Pineau (5 rebounds) returned with the Phoenix against Brisbane on January 15, but South East Melbourne struggled after the layoff and lost 100-84, with Creek (19 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Munford (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) leading the Phoenix, while Nathan Sobey (18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Brisbane. South East Melbourne responded by winning eight of its next 11 games to climb to second place with an 11-5 record.

Pineau’s best game of the season came in Brisbane on January 29, where Pineau (4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) played more than 22 minutes as South East Melbourne defeated the Bullets 88-73, with Creek (22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Adnam (16 points) leading the Phoenix, while Lamar Patterson (26 points and 5 assists) was Brisbane’s best.

Pineau missed South East Melbourne’s February 5 game against Perth and February 7 game against Illawarra after entering COVID protocols, returning against Sydney on February 10. These were his only games missed through illness or COVID during NBL22, with no new basketball injury keeping him out of the lineup. He was also listed as a DNP-coach’s decision against Adelaide on April 22.

One of Pineau’s strongest defensive performances came in Adelaide on March 27, where Pineau (2 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) played 22 minutes, while Creek (27 points and 12 rebounds) and Munford (24 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne, but Daniel Johnson (22 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped Adelaide defeat the Phoenix 100-92.

Pineau (2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played his 100th NBL game and 50th game for South East Melbourne against Cairns on April 2. Creek (21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Munford (20 points and 7 rebounds) led the Phoenix, while Keanu Pinder (21 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) helped Cairns win 90-85. Pineau spoke before the game about having a consistent season after the injuries which had disrupted NBL21 and the motivation he had carried into the year after being unable to play during the Phoenix’s previous Finals campaign.

A short-term injury to Qi (11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2 blocks across 24 games) and Hankins being unable to play due to a knee cartilage injury led to Brandon Ashley (8.9 points and 5.2 rebounds across 23 games) being brought in as a replacement. Creek (20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.2 steals across 28 games) led South East Melbourne in scoring, was named the Phoenix MVP and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Munford (16.6 points, 4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.2 steals across 26 games), Broekhoff (11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 18 games), Le’Afa (8.8 points across 26 games) and Adnam (8.8 points across 25 games) were the other major contributors. South East Melbourne remained one of the league’s top three scoring teams at 87.7 points per game.

South East Melbourne’s season turned during the second half, with a four-game losing streak and Broekhoff suffering a season-ending shoulder injury contributing to the Phoenix winning only six of their final 14 games. Losses to Adelaide, Cairns and Melbourne during the final month ended their playoff hopes.

South East Melbourne closed the season at RAC Arena on April 24, where Pineau (2 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) produced his best rebounding game of the season as Munford (24 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals) and Ashley (17 points and 6 rebounds) led the Phoenix to a 102-100 overtime win over Perth, while Bryce Cotton (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) was the Wildcats’ best, ending Perth’s 35-year playoff streak and leaving South East Melbourne sixth with a 15-13 record.

2022/23
After finishing sixth with a 15-13 record and missing the finals the previous season, South East Melbourne retained coach Simon Mitchell and most of its local core, including Mitch Creek, Ryan Broekhoff, Kyle Adnam, Reuben Te Rangi, Tohi Smith-Milner and Owen Foxwell. Xavier Munford (to Hapoel Tel Aviv), Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’Afa (to New Zealand), Cameron Gliddon (to New Zealand) and Adam Gibson (retired) departed, while Gary Browne (via Piratas de Quebradillas), Trey Kell III (via Olimpia Milano), Alan Williams (via Lokomotiv Kuban), Junior Madut (via Hawaii), Grant Anticevich (via California) and Anzac Rissetto (via Franklin Bulls) were added.

Williams had initially been signed to replace Zhou Qi, but the Chinese centre made a late decision to return, creating a twin-towers pairing that pushed South East Melbourne’s returning reserve centre into a smaller role. After a prolapsed disc and knee surgery had disrupted his previous two seasons, the veteran big man completed a full preseason and entered NBL23 hoping to remain healthy. “Hopefully I can use that to be strong and healthy for the whole year,” he said.

South East Melbourne opened the season against Tasmania at John Cain Arena without Browne, Kell III, Broekhoff or Qi. Pineau (2 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) provided 14 minutes from the bench, while Adnam (30 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Creek (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led the Phoenix to an 84-79 victory, with Jack McVeigh (20 points and 5 rebounds) leading Tasmania.

Pineau (2.1 points and 3.2 rebounds across 27 games) appeared in 26 regular-season games and the Play-In Qualifier, coming off the bench in all but one appearance. He began the season as South East Melbourne’s third centre behind Williams and Qi before becoming the primary reserve after Qi returned to China. Pineau did not miss any games through injury, with his only two regular-season non-appearances coming against Melbourne on December 15 and Sydney on December 18, when he was listed but did not enter as part of the frontcourt rotation.

One of his strongest defensive performances came against Cairns at John Cain Arena on October 8, where Pineau (2 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block) provided energy from the bench. Creek (27 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Williams (18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Phoenix, but Keanu Pinder (19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) helped Cairns win 85-76.

Pineau’s best performance came against Brisbane at Nissan Arena on December 21, where he finished with 6 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals while making 3-of-4 field goals. Williams suffered a lower-leg injury during the second quarter but later returned, with Pineau playing more than 17 minutes and helping the undermanned Phoenix control the glass. Creek (29 points and 5 rebounds) and Kell III (17 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led South East Melbourne to a 104-77 victory, while Nathan Sobey (31 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.

The lower-leg injury ruled Williams out of South East Melbourne’s Christmas Eve game against Adelaide, giving Pineau his only start of the season. Pineau (7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) produced his highest-scoring game and played almost 23 minutes, while Creek (24 points and 5 rebounds) and Adnam (18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) kept the Phoenix close. Robert Franks (20 points and 8 rebounds) led Adelaide to a 94-88 victory at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Creek (23.4 points and 7 rebounds across 29 games) produced the highest-scoring season of his career, finished third in MVP voting, earned All-NBL First Team honours and won the Phoenix MVP award. Williams (16.6 points and 9.9 rebounds across 28 games) led the NBL in rebounding, while Browne (12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals across 20 games) led the league in assists.

Kell III (12.5 points and 3.8 rebounds across 24 games) missed five regular-season games through rib and knee injuries, while Broekhoff (10.3 points and 4.1 rebounds across 20 games) missed nine through separate hamstring, hip and groin injuries. Browne also missed nine games following knee and calf injuries, while Williams missed the Christmas Eve game with his lower-leg complaint. Malcolm Bernard (4.7 points across 3 games) was signed as Kell III’s injury replacement (via Bendigo).

Adnam (8.4 points across 27 games) repeatedly moved into the starting lineup when South East Melbourne’s guards were unavailable, while Qi (6.2 points and 4.4 rebounds across 9 games) missed six games through a calf injury and international commitments before returning to China for family reasons in December. Te Rangi (5.1 points across 29 games) provided experienced forward depth as the repeated absences prevented the Phoenix from establishing continuity.

South East Melbourne climbed as high as second on the ladder but lost five of its final eight regular-season games and fell to fifth. The Phoenix completed the regular season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on January 29, where Pineau (5 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) produced his third-highest scoring game. Creek (29 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) and Kell III (18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) kept South East Melbourne close, but Xavier Cooks (16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists) recorded a triple-double as Sydney won 111-106. The loss left the Phoenix with a 15-13 record after going 11-3 at home and 4-10 away.

South East Melbourne hosted Perth in the Play-In Qualifier at John Cain Arena, where Pineau (2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) played five minutes. Creek (24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal), Browne (20 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block), Williams (16 points, 17 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block), Kell III (14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) and Te Rangi (14 points and 9 rebounds) helped the Phoenix lead by 13 points early in the fourth quarter, while Broekhoff (5 points) returned from his groin injury but was restricted to 14 minutes. Bryce Cotton (26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals), Brady Manek (24 points) and TaShawn Thomas (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) led Perth, which outscored South East Melbourne 41-23 during the fourth quarter and eliminated the Phoenix 106-99.

2023/24
After falling one victory short of the NBL championship, New Zealand retained William McDowell-White, Cameron Gliddon, Izayah Le’Afa and captain Thomas Abercrombie under head coach Mody Maor. Barry Brown Jr. (to Venezia), Jarrell Brantley (to Nagasaki), Dererk Pardon (to Altiri Chiba) and Rayan Rupert (to Portland) departed, while Robert Loe retired. Finn Delany (via Bonn) returned, with Mangok Mathiang (via Hapoel Eilat), Dane Pineau (via South East Melbourne), Mantas Rubstavicius (via Lietkabelis), Parker Jackson-Cartwright (via Besiktas), Zylan Cheatham (via Bayern Munich) and Justinian Jessup (via Zaragoza) joining the roster.

Pineau signed a two-year agreement after four seasons with South East Melbourne, taking over the frontcourt position vacated by Loe and reuniting with former Phoenix teammates Le’Afa and Gliddon. “Dane is one of the hardest playing players in the NBL, and he has done so consistently over the past few seasons, regardless of his role in a team,” Maor said. “Dane has great Pick and Roll attributes, making him an extremely natural fit into our environment and style of play. I believe moving to Auckland will be a seamless fit for Dane.”

Pineau made his Breakers debut against Cairns at Spark Arena on September 30, collecting 1 rebound in 1:24 as New Zealand won 98-87. Jackson-Cartwright (25 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 6 steals) and Delany (18 points and 2 steals) led the Breakers, while Sam Mennenga (17 points and 4 rebounds) was Cairns’ leading scorer.

Pineau (1.4 points across 24 games) came from the bench in every appearance, providing frontcourt depth, physical defence and additional rim protection behind Mathiang.

His best all-round game came against Melbourne at John Cain Arena on October 22, where foul trouble elsewhere in the frontcourt led to Pineau (5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks) playing 19 minutes. Cheatham (30 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Jackson-Cartwright (18 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals) led New Zealand, while Ian Clark (18 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) was Melbourne’s leading scorer as United won 97-88.

Pineau matched his season-high against Brisbane at Spark Arena on February 16, making three of four field goals and finishing with 6 points and 5 rebounds. He scored all six points during the second quarter and helped ignite a 10-0 run that gave New Zealand control, with Jackson-Cartwright (27 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Cheatham (19 points) leading the Breakers, while Josh Bannan (29 points and 4 rebounds) was Brisbane’s best. New Zealand won 103-87 and secured its place in the postseason.

Jessup (9.5 points across 2 games) suffered a pelvis injury during the opening weeks, leading Lamb (via Golden State; 19.5 points and 6 rebounds across 22 games) to join as his replacement before later rupturing his Achilles. Jackson-Cartwright (20.6 points, 5.8 assists, and 1.9 steals across 30 games) led New Zealand’s offence, with Cheatham (15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds across 19 games), Rubstavicius (9.4 points across 25 games), McDowell-White (9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 24 games) and Mathiang (6.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 30 games) forming the other main contributors. Jackson-Cartwright and Lamb were selected to the All-NBL First Team, with Jackson-Cartwright also receiving New Zealand’s club MVP award.

The Breakers recovered from an 8-12 record to finish the regular season sixth at 13-15. Sydney, New Zealand and Brisbane completed the season with identical records, with points percentage placing the Kings fifth, the Breakers sixth and the Bullets seventh.

New Zealand travelled to Qudos Bank Arena for the Play-In Qualifier, where Pineau (1 rebound) played 2:02 as Jackson-Cartwright (34 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal), Cheatham (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) and McDowell-White (11 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Breakers. Jaylen Adams (18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and DJ Hogg (17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) were Sydney’s best as New Zealand won 83-76 and eliminated the two-time defending champions.

The second Play-In game moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Pineau (1 point and 2 rebounds) played 6:33 as Jackson-Cartwright (19 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals), Cheatham (14 points and 9 rebounds) and Mathiang (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks) led New Zealand, while Justin Robinson (26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Sam Froling (21 points and 9 rebounds) carried Illawarra to an 88-85 victory, ending the Breakers’ season one game short of the semifinals.

2024/25
New Zealand entered the off-season after finishing sixth with a 13-15 record, defeating Sydney 83-76 in the first play-in game before an 88-85 loss to Illawarra ended its season. Anthony Lamb (to Trento), William McDowell-White (to Berlin), Izayah Le’Afa (to Sydney), Justinian Jessup (to Ulm), Finn Delany (to Shizuoka), Mantas Rubstavicius (to Panevezys), Zylan Cheatham (to Nagoya), Mangok Mathiang (to Ramat Gan), Dan Fotu and Dom Kelman-Poto exited the team, while Thomas Abercrombie and Cameron Gliddon retired. Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Max Darling, Dane Pineau, Carlin Davison and Alex McNaught returned.

Head coach Mody Maor (to Nagasaki) was replaced by Petteri Koponen (via Helsinki), who added Matt Mooney (via Trento), Sam Mennenga (via Cairns), Mojave King (via Indiana), Mitch McCarron (via Adelaide), Jonah Bolden (via Sydney), Sean Bairstow (via Richmond), Grant Anticevich (via Gottingen), Freddie Gillespie (via Belgrade), Karim Lopez (via Badalona) and Kaia Isaac (via Canterbury).

Pineau’s best game came in New Zealand’s season opener against Brisbane at HoopsFest, where he finished with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block in 10 minutes and 32 seconds. Keandre Cook (25 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the Bullets, but the Breakers held on after building a 26-point advantage and won 91-87.

Pineau (1.6 points across 9 games) provided reserve frontcourt depth but was restricted to 45 minutes by calf and knee injuries.

A calf injury ruled him out of four games during October before he returned against Adelaide on November 2. Pineau later recorded 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks against Tasmania on November 9 and added 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal as New Zealand defeated Cairns 77-69 and entered the FIBA break with a 7-3 record.

Pineau (2 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist) provided productive minutes against Illawarra on November 28, but Olbrich (21 points) led the Hawks to a 109-71 win.

Three days later, Pineau (2 points) suffered a right knee injury during the opening quarter against Perth. Further examinations confirmed a torn meniscus which required surgery and ruled him out for the following two months as Cotton (59 points and 7 assists) led Perth to a 123-112 win.

Jackson-Cartwright (18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.6 steals across 21 games) and Mooney (16.1 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 29 games) led New Zealand’s backcourt, while Mennenga (11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds across 29 games), Fall (11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 18 games), Lopez (9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds across 25 games) and King (8.5 points across 17 games) provided the other main contributions. New Zealand won only three of its final 19 games and finished ninth with a 10-19 record, missing the postseason.

Pineau returned for New Zealand’s final game against Illawarra at Spark Arena on February 5, finishing with 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block in 3 minutes and 27 seconds as Harvey (29 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) led the Hawks to a 96-82 win. Pineau announced his retirement after the game, saying, “I told the guys in the locker room that I had time to think when I was injured and this was my last NBL game,” ending his career after 164 appearances.

Dane Pineau played eight seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Sydney Kings, South East Melbourne Phoenix and New Zealand Breakers. He averaged 2.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 162 NBL games.