BIO: Keanu Pinder was born and raised in Derby, Western Australia, among the Nyigina people of the West Kimberley region. He spent his early childhood in Derby before moving to Perth at age 10 for schooling. His athletic roots run deep, with his father, “Tiny” Pinder, a two-time NBL champion, making a name for himself as a dominant force for the Perth Wildcats, where he played 220 games and won a championship. However, it was Pinder’s mother, Tracey, who first introduced him to basketball, having played for East Perth as a teenager.

At around sixteen, Pinder traveled to Adelaide to compete in an Indigenous basketball tournament. His athleticism caught the attention of Australian basketball legend Danny Morseu, who encouraged him to pursue a professional career in the sport. Before heading overseas, he attended Chisholm Catholic College in Perth while excelling in both basketball and Australian rules football.

In 2013, Pinder moved to the United States for a prep season at Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita, Kansas, where he focused on developing his skills before beginning his college basketball journey.

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.

After finishing seventh with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Adelaide parted ways with long-time coach Joey Wright despite time remaining on his contract, with his departure coming amid several issues with players. Former Perth assistant Conner Henry was appointed as his replacement, while co-captain Kevin White (to Perth), Harry Froling (to Brisbane) and Obi Kyei (released) departed. Jack McVeigh, Brendan Teys, Daniel Dillon and Alex Mudronja remained, while Adelaide added Next Star Josh Giddey, re-signed Daniel Johnson to a three-year deal and brought in Isaac Humphries (via Lakeland), Sunday Dech (via Illawarra) and imports Donald Sloan (via Baskets Bonn) and Tony Crocker (via Pinar Karsiyaka).

After two seasons in Poland, Keanu Pinder (via Warsaw) returned to Australia and signed a one-year deal with Adelaide, adding athleticism, rebounding and defence alongside Johnson and Humphries in the 36ers frontcourt.

“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 Chairman Grant Kelley.

Adelaide opened the season against Melbourne at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on January 15, where Pinder (5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) started in his NBL debut as United won 89-65. Johnson (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Giddey (7 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) were Adelaide’s leading performers, while Jo Lual-Acuil (16 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Melbourne.

Pinder (4.8 points and 4.3 rebounds across 35 games) provided energy, rebounding and rim protection throughout his first NBL season, making 21 starts and missing only one of Adelaide’s 36 games. His role increased after Humphries (13.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks across 19 games) injured his left foot on February 27, with Pinder returning to the starting lineup on March 4 and starting 12 of Adelaide’s next 13 games. His only absence came on March 28, when illness ruled him out of the road game against Cairns, and he did not miss any games through injury.

Adelaide had started the season 4-2 before struggling during the NBL Cup in Melbourne and falling from third to seventh. Sloan (9 points and 3 assists across 6 games) was moved to the bench before requesting and receiving a release, with Jeremy Kendle (5.7 points across 10 games) signed on a short-term deal before former NBA guard Brandon Paul (via Zhejiang) (13.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 20 games) joined for the remainder of the season. Jack Purchase (injury replacement) (1.7 points across 9 games) was also added while Humphries was sidelined.

One of Pinder’s strongest defensive performances came against Perth at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on April 10, where Pinder (12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 4 blocks) helped the 36ers snap the Wildcats’ nine-game winning streak with an 83-68 victory. Johnson (28 points and 8 rebounds) and Paul (20 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led Adelaide’s scoring, while John Mooney (18 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) was Perth’s best.

Pinder’s best and highest-scoring game of the season came against Brisbane at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on May 1, where he came off the bench and finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks, including 12 points in a five-minute stretch during the third quarter as Adelaide defeated the Bullets 101-79 and kept its slim playoff hopes alive. Johnson (26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Giddey (15 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists) led the 36ers alongside Pinder, while Nathan Sobey (20 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals) led Brisbane.

Johnson (19.4 points and 7.1 rebounds across 36 games) led Adelaide in scoring for the sixth time and shared the club MVP award with Giddey (10.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists across 28 games), who led the NBL in assists and was named Rookie of the Year. Crocker (10.8 points across 32 games), McVeigh (9.4 points and 3.3 rebounds across 36 games) and Dech (8.7 points and 4.1 rebounds across 36 games) were also regular contributors, with McVeigh named Adelaide’s Most Improved Player, Dech receiving the Best Defence Player award and Humphries collecting the Coaches Choice Award.

Adelaide closed the season against Melbourne at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on June 6, where Pinder (5 points and 4 rebounds) started, with Crocker (27 points and 5 rebounds) and Johnson (18 points and 13 rebounds) leading the 36ers, while Jock Landale (19 points and 9 rebounds) led United to a 102-80 victory, leaving Adelaide seventh with a 13-23 record.

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2021/22
Cairns underwent a rehaul after finishing last with an 8-28 record, replacing Mike Kelly with former Sydney coach Adam Forde and losing leading scorer Cameron Oliver (to the NBA), Fabijan Krslovic (to Tasmania) and Mojave King (to Adelaide). Imports Tahjere McCall (via Orléans) and Stephen Zimmerman (via Nymburk) were added alongside Keanu Pinder (via Adelaide) and rookie Bul Kuol (via Detroit Mercy), joining a returning core of Scott Machado, Majok Deng, Kouat Noi, Nathan Jawai, Mirko Djeric, Jarrod Kenny and Jordan Ngatai.

Pinder became the first new player added to Cairns’ NBL22 roster when he signed a two-year deal with a mutual option for the second season. Forde had coached him through the Western Australian junior system and believed the athletic forward had untapped potential, while Pinder said, “I jumped at the chance to join the Taipans – Fordey is one of my favourite people.”

Pinder made his Cairns debut at RAC Arena on December 5, finishing with 7 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block. Noi (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block), McCall (16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Zimmerman (14 points and 14 rebounds) led the Taipans, while Cotton (31 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) guided Perth to a 90-67 win.

Pinder (10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds across 28 games) more than doubled his scoring from the previous season, led Cairns in total rebounds and blocks and did not miss a game through injury or any other reason. After starting only twice across Cairns’ first 15 games, he started the final 13 as injuries continued to prevent the Taipans from fielding their full roster, including the right-knee injury that ended Zimmerman’s season.

Cairns travelled to Nissan Arena on February 5 without Machado, Jawai, Noi, Kenny and Djeric, but defeated Brisbane 102-94 behind Deng (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), Kuol (26 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists), McCall (19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) and Pinder (11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals). Kuol made eight of his 10 three-point attempts to become the third Taipan to make eight three-pointers in a game, while Franks (22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) led the Bullets as Cairns collected its first road win of the season.

With Zimmerman, McCall and Djeric sidelined, Pinder made nine of his 11 field-goal attempts and finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block against South East Melbourne at the Cairns Convention Centre on April 2. Machado (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists), Deng (16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) and Kuol (13 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist) supported him, while Creek (21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Munford (20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led the Phoenix before Cairns won 90-85 and delivered another blow to South East Melbourne’s playoff hopes.

Pinder’s best game of the season came two days later at MyState Bank Arena, where he finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks without committing a turnover. Deng (19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal), Machado (15 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Noi (9 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) helped Cairns defeat New Zealand 87-77 and collect its third consecutive win, while Wetzell (24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) and Dieng (18 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, and 1 block) led the Breakers.

Pinder’s best scoring game came at RAC Arena on April 16, where he made all eight of his free throws and finished with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. Deng (16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) and McCall (13 points, 2 rebounds, 11 assists, and 3 steals) also contributed, but Cotton (22 points, 1 rebound, 10 assists, and 2 steals), Frazier (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist) and Law (17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led Perth to a 106-87 win.

Ben Ayre had originally joined Cairns as an unpaid training player after being recommended by former Adelaide coach Joey Wright and was elevated to the active roster as an injury replacement in April. In his sixth appearance at John Cain Arena on April 18, Ayre (20 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals) became the third player during NBL22 and second Taipan in club history to record at least 20 points and 10 assists in a game. Pinder (15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Deng (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) also contributed, while Goulding (27 points, 3 assists, and 1 block) led Melbourne to a 92-80 win.

McCall (16.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2 steals across 22 games) led Cairns in scoring, assists and steals and shared the club MVP award with Machado (10.2 points and 5.3 assists across 18 games), who missed more than six weeks with a heel injury before aggravating it again during April. Deng (14.3 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) produced his best season to date and finished second on the team in scoring, while Zimmerman (11.4 points and 9.6 rebounds across 16 games), Kuol (10.4 points across 28 games), Noi (8.4 points and 4.6 rebounds across 16 games), Ayre (6.6 points and 3.8 assists across 8 games) and Jawai (5.9 points across 19 games) were the other main contributors. Kuol made an Australian rookie-record 64 three-pointers, led Cairns with 26 starts and was named Rookie of the Year, while Pinder received the NBL’s Most Improved Player award after more than doubling his scoring and increasing his rebounding by more than three per game.

Cairns ended its season at the Cairns Convention Centre on April 23, where Pinder (17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block), McCall (42 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) and Deng (30 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led the Taipans to a 112-98 win over Brisbane, while Franks (30 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led the Bullets. McCall became the first player during the NBL’s 40-minute era to record at least 40 points and 10 assists, while the victory produced the highest team score of NBL22, completed Cairns’ first 4-0 Sunshine Stoush sweep and saw the Taipans finish ninth with a 9-19 record.

2022/23
After Adam Forde’s first season as head coach ended with Cairns finishing ninth with a 9-19 record, the Taipans retained Tahjere McCall, Majok Deng, Mirko Djeric, Rookie of the Year Bul Kuol and reigning Most Improved Player Keanu Pinder. Kuol and Pinder both took up the mutual options in their contracts, keeping the two award winners in Cairns for a second season. Kouat Noi (to Sydney) departed, Nathan Jawai was not re-signed despite wanting to continue playing, and imports Scott Machado and Stephen Zimmerman were replaced.

Forde added Sam Waardenburg (via Miami) on a three-year deal after offering him a starting role, Lat Mayen (via Nebraska), Jonah Antonio (via Czech League) and promoted injury replacement player Ben Ayre to the main roster. DJ Hogg (via Cholet) and Shannon Scott completed the youngest roster in the league as Cairns’ three imports.

Cairns opened the season at MyState Bank Arena on October 3, where Pinder (16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Deng (26 points and 5 rebounds) and Hogg (17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) led the Taipans to a 106-84 win over Tasmania, while Rashard Kelly (15 points and 4 rebounds) was the JackJumpers’ leading scorer. Cairns scored 39 points during the third quarter, its highest-scoring period of the 40-minute era, and the victory began a 5-1 start for a team widely predicted to finish near the bottom of the ladder.

Pinder (16.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 19 games) emerged as an MVP candidate and became one of the league’s most productive frontcourt players, improving his scoring, rebounding and shooting for a second consecutive season.

One of his first major performances came at John Cain Arena on October 20, where Pinder (26 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals), Scott (19 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists) and Hogg (13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Cairns back from a late deficit to defeat Melbourne 81-77. The Taipans finished the game with an 11-1 run and improved to 4-1, while Xavier Rathan-Mayes (21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) and Rayjon Tucker (19 points and 10 rebounds) led United, prompting Forde to call Pinder the “best centre in the league.”

Pinder’s best game of the season came at the Cairns Convention Centre on November 28, where he finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal as the Taipans recovered from 14 points behind during the fourth quarter to defeat reigning champion Sydney 94-88 in overtime. Hogg (20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) made consecutive three-pointers to force overtime before Pinder scored eight points during the extra period, while McCall (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support. Xavier Cooks (25 points and 10 rebounds) and Angus Glover (16 points and 8 rebounds) led Sydney before Cooks fouled out, with the victory ending the Kings’ record 17-game road winning streak and making Pinder the first Taipan since Martin Cattalini in 2007 to record 30 points and 10 rebounds in a home game.

His highest-scoring performance came in Hobart on December 17, where Pinder made 11-of-17 shots, both of his three-point attempts and all 10 free throws to finish with 34 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. McCall (23 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) and Scott (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) helped Cairns finish the game with a 16-2 run and defeat Tasmania 91-82, while Jack McVeigh (17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) and Milton Doyle (15 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) led the JackJumpers. After Pinder scored 20 points during the first half and continued attacking Tasmania inside, McCall described him as “unguardable.”

A powerhouse performance from Keanu Pinder has led the @CairnsTaipans to their third victory in 7 days.
https://t.co/XnBxGbQwNM @emmaha11iday #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/KIl0pFLEKm

— 7NEWS Cairns (@7NewsCairns) December 19, 2022

Six days later, Pinder (16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block), McCall (21 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Hogg (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Cairns during the Open Air Game at John Cain Arena, while Tucker (27 points and 8 rebounds) and Chris Goulding (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) carried Melbourne to an 84-81 win. Pinder also strained the lateral ligament in his left ankle during the game and was sidelined for Cairns’ next six matches.

The Taipans won all six games during his ankle absence, including five consecutive victories without him, before he returned to the lineup in late January. Cairns eventually went 8-1 across the nine regular-season games Pinder missed.

In his second game back on January 25, Pinder (11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) was struck in the face by a stray Dane Pineau elbow late in the third quarter of Cairns’ game against South East Melbourne. Hogg (24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), Waardenburg (14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks) and McCall (14 points and 9 rebounds) led the Taipans, while Mitch Creek (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists), Trey Kell III (17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Alan Williams (17 points, 13 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) powered the Phoenix to an 85-80 win. Pinder was diagnosed with an orbital fracture, and Cairns later confirmed he would likely only return if the team reached the Championship Series after the FIBA break.

Keanu Pinder has been taken straight into the changerooms following a stray elbow to the face late in the third quarter. pic.twitter.com/w5mcAmSgDo

— NBL (@NBL) January 25, 2023

Hogg (18.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks across 33 games) led Cairns in scoring, while McCall (16.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2 steals across 25 games) remained one of the league’s best two-way guards. Scott (10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 31 games), Waardenburg (11.3 points and 5.6 rebounds across 30 games), Kuol (10.3 points and 3.7 rebounds across 33 games), Deng (6.4 points and 3.9 rebounds across 32 games) and Ayre (5.8 points across 32 games) completed the main rotation.

Pinder and Hogg were selected to the All-NBL Second Team, while Pinder won his second consecutive Most Improved Player award and became the first player in league history to win the award twice. Waardenburg won the inaugural Next Generation Award and Forde was named Coach of the Year.

With Pinder unavailable, Cairns completed the regular season at RAC Arena on February 3, where Kuol (15 points and 9 rebounds), Hogg (14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) and Deng (14 points and 11 rebounds) led the Taipans to an 84-71 win over Perth, while Bryce Cotton (28 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists) and TaShawn Thomas (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led the Wildcats. The win briefly moved Cairns into second place, but New Zealand’s final-round victories left both teams with an 18-10 record and the Breakers claimed second on percentage, leaving the Taipans third and requiring them to enter the inaugural play-in tournament.

Pinder remained sidelined throughout the postseason as Cairns opened the Seeding Qualifier against Tasmania at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 9. McCall (24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Scott (17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Hogg (13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) led the Taipans, while Doyle (25 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Isaac White (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) and McVeigh (13 points and 9 rebounds) powered Tasmania to an 87-79 win. McCall also suffered a partially dislocated shoulder during the loss, ruling him out of Cairns’ elimination game against Perth.

The Play-In Game remained at the Cairns Convention Centre, where Hogg (32 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks), Kuol (23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Waardenburg (15 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) led the undermanned Taipans to a 91-78 win over Perth. Cotton (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists), Thomas (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Corey Webster (14 points and 4 rebounds) led the Wildcats, but Hogg’s performance set a Taipans finals scoring record and moved Cairns into the semifinals.

Game one of the semifinals moved to Qudos Bank Arena, where Hogg (24 points), Antonio (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) and Scott (13 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) helped Cairns build a nine-point halftime lead. Sydney responded by outscoring the Taipans 27-10 during the third quarter, with Cooks (27 points and 14 rebounds) and Derrick Walton Jr. (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) leading the Kings to a 95-87 win.

Game two moved to the Cairns Convention Centre, where Hogg (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), McCall (20 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals) and Waardenburg (15 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led Cairns to a 93-82 win, while Walton Jr. (22 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Justin Simon (19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Sydney. Kings coach Chase Buford was ejected, Cooks suffered another ankle injury, Noi and Waardenburg left the court after hits to the head and Tim Soares was charged with striking, while Scott was unavailable with a hamstring injury.

Game three returned to Qudos Bank Arena, where Ayre (20 points, 4 assists, and 1 steal), Waardenburg (17 points and 12 rebounds) and Hogg (9 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) led Cairns, while Dejan Vasiljevic (15 points and 5 rebounds), Cooks (11 points and 11 rebounds), Noi (11 points and 11 rebounds) and Walton Jr. (10 points and 9 assists) led Sydney to a 79-64 win.

PERTH WILDCATS
2023/24
After finishing sixth with a 15-13 record and being eliminated by Cairns during the play-in tournament, Perth reshaped its roster for John Rillie’s second season as head coach. Luke Travers (to Melbourne), Todd Blanchfield (to Illawarra), Mitchell Norton (to Brisbane), TaShawn Thomas and Brady Manek departed, while Rillie added Hyrum Harris (via Adelaide), David Okwera (via Melbourne), rookie Ben Henshall, Next Star Alexandre Sarr and imports Jordan Usher and Kristian Doolittle.

In March 2023, Pinder (via Cairns) returned to Western Australia on a two-year deal after winning consecutive NBL Most Improved Player awards with the Taipans. His preparations were interrupted by back and groin injuries, with the back issue preventing him from playing for the Phoenix Suns at NBA Summer League before a groin injury ended his time in the Boomers’ extended World Cup squad.

“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,” Rillie said.

Perth opened the season at RAC Arena on September 29, where Pinder (14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) helped the Wildcats defeat Tasmania 101-95. Usher (35 points and 3 rebounds) produced the highest-scoring debut in Wildcats history and Cotton (21 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) provided support, while Jack McVeigh (22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) led Tasmania.

Pinder (13.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks across 31 games) slotted straight into Perth’s starting five, providing athleticism, rebounding and a strong presence around the basket while expanding his shooting range.

His best regular-season scoring game came against Melbourne at RAC Arena on October 13, where Pinder (25 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) shot 8-of-14 from the field, but United defeated Perth 88-81. Usher (20 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Corey Webster (12 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) provided support, while Chris Goulding (18 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led Melbourne.

The Wildcats lost five of their next six games after opening night and fell to 2-5, prompting criticism of Rillie and the team’s new offence. Following the loss to Brisbane, Pinder publicly declared Perth would win its next five games, a prediction the Wildcats delivered on as they recovered to 7-5 and turned their season around.

Pinder’s best all-round performance came against New Zealand on February 4, where he finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 38 minutes. Cotton (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Doolittle (10 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists) provided support, while Zylan Cheatham (24 points and 8 rebounds) led the Breakers to an 89-78 win at RAC Arena.

Pinder reached double figures in 23 of his 31 appearances and recorded three double-doubles, while setting career-best marks in three-point percentage, three-pointers made, field-goals made, assists and steals. He also became a crowd favourite at RAC Arena, with his highlights including a 360-degree dunk during the regular season.

Cotton (22.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals across 30 games) returned to MVP form as Perth climbed the ladder, while Usher (12.3 points and 3.4 rebounds across 31 games) settled into a sixth-man role and Sarr (9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 27 games) emerged as one of the leading prospects for the NBA Draft. Doolittle (9 points and 6.7 rebounds across 29 games), Tai Webster (8.9 points across 28 games), Wagstaff (6.5 points and 3 rebounds across 28 games), Corey Webster (6.1 points across 20 games) and Harris (5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds across 30 games) rounded out the main rotation.

Perth finished second with a 17-11 record, with Cotton winning his fourth NBL MVP award and moving past Leroy Loggins into outright second behind Andrew Gaze. Pinder finished second in the Gordon Ellis Medal count behind Cotton, while Doolittle received the Andrew Vlahov Medal as the Wildcats’ Best Defensive Player and Harris was named the club’s Most Improved Player.

Perth opened its semifinal series against Tasmania at RAC Arena on March 8, where Pinder (25 points and 7 rebounds) produced one of his best games of the season, making a career-high five three-pointers and throwing down a poster dunk over Marcus Lee as the Wildcats won 89-81. Cotton (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Usher (11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) provided support, while Jordon Crawford (19 points), McVeigh (17 points and 4 rebounds) and Lee (16 points and 3 rebounds) led Tasmania.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where Pinder (7 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) was limited to 13 minutes before fouling out, with Cotton (26 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) and Doolittle (20 points and 9 rebounds) leading Perth. Milton Doyle (24 points and 6 rebounds), McVeigh (22 points and 5 rebounds) and Majok Deng (18 points and 5 rebounds) helped Tasmania win 102-94 and force a deciding game.

Game three returned to RAC Arena, where Pinder (7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 block) was held scoreless, with Cotton (21 points and 4 rebounds) and Harris (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) leading Perth. McVeigh (27 points and 6 rebounds), Doyle (24 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) and Will Magnay (18 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) led Tasmania to a 100-84 win.

2024/25
Following their semifinal loss to Tasmania, Perth farewelled Alexandre Sarr (to Washington), Jordan Usher (to France), Corey Webster (to Auckland) and Kyle Zunic (to Keilor). John Rillie returned for his third season as head coach and signed a three-year extension, adding Elijah Pepper (via UC Davis), Next Star Izan Almansa (via G League Ignite) and Dylan Windler (via Atlanta), while Michael Harris was promoted from the development roster. Captain Jesse Wagstaff re-signed alongside Bryce Cotton, Keanu Pinder, Kristian Doolittle, Tai Webster, Hyrum Harris, Ben Henshall and David Okwera.

Pinder entered the second and final season of the two-year contract he signed with Perth in April 2023.

Perth opened the season against South East Melbourne during HoopsFest at RAC Arena on September 20, where Pinder (29 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals) made four three-pointers as the Wildcats won 106-98, with Cotton (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Henshall (10 points and 7 assists) providing support, while Jordan Hunter (19 points and 7 rebounds) led the Phoenix.

Pinder (15.1 points and 6.3 rebounds across 25 games) produced his highest scoring average since joining Perth and finished as the Wildcats’ second-leading scorer. A head knock placed him in concussion protocols and cost him one game, while illness later ruled him out for another three, with Rillie explaining, “Keanu Pinder is still battling illness. I think he’s close but it’s precautionary.”

Todd Withers (via Warwick) was also added as a nominated replacement player during the season.

Pinder’s best regular-season scoring game came against Sydney at RAC Arena on October 25, where he made 11-of-18 field goals and 11-of-13 free throws to equal his career-high with 34 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 block as Perth won 87-84 without the injured Cotton and Webster. Almansa (14 points and 6 rebounds) and Pepper (11 points) supported Pinder, while Xavier Cooks (22 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) led Sydney. The Wildcats collected 27 offensive rebounds and scored 26 second-chance points, with Pinder saying, “This one meant a lot to me, because I hadn’t been playing so well.”

Another of Pinder’s strongest performances came against Cairns at RAC Arena on January 25, where he finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks off the bench. Cotton (38 points and 8 rebounds) and Henshall (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) also contributed, while Rob Edwards (30 points and 6 rebounds) led the Taipans to a 125-116 double-overtime win.

Cotton (28.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across 24 games) led Perth offensively and won his fifth Andrew Gaze Trophy, eighth scoring title and another All-NBL First Team selection. Doolittle (14 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists across 24 games) provided another all-around presence, while Windler (11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 24 games), Henshall (9.8 points and 3.2 rebounds across 28 games), Webster (8.2 points across 16 games), Almansa (7.6 points and 4.2 rebounds across 29 games), Pepper (7.5 points across 29 games) and Withers (5.8 points across 14 games) completed the main rotation. Cotton also won the Gordon Ellis Medal as club MVP, Doolittle received the Players’ Player and Best Defensive Player awards, Hens9 points across 26 games) received the Coaches’ Award.

Perth closed the regular season against Adelaide at RAC Arena on February 7, where Pinder (18 points and 11 rebounds) completed a double-double as the Wildcats won 112-104, with Cotton (49 points and 7 assists) and Windler (15 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals) leading the way, while Kendric Davis (34 points and 8 assists) was Adelaide’s best. Perth finished third with an 18-11 record.

Pinder’s best game of the season came against South East Melbourne in the Seeding Qualifier at the Perth High Performance Centre, where he made 11-of-13 field goals, all three of his three-pointers and all 10 free throws to set a new career-high with 35 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Cotton (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Doolittle (20 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists) helped Perth win 122-105, while Angus Glover (25 points and 2 steals), Matt Hurt (24 points and 3 steals) and Nathan Sobey (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) led the Phoenix.

The semifinal series opened at John Cain Arena, where Pinder (24 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists), Doolittle (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Cotton (22 points and 6 assists) led Perth, while Chris Goulding (41 points), Ian Clark (22 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Jack White (13 points and 10 rebounds) carried Melbourne to a 105-93 win.

Game two moved to RAC Arena, where Perth recovered from a 20-point deficit behind Windler (27 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks), Cotton (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Doolittle (17 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists). Pinder (8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) struggled from the field but helped protect the rim, while Goulding (15 points), Matthew Dellavedova (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 12 assists) and Clark (13 points) led Melbourne before the Wildcats won 96-89 and forced a deciding game.

Game three returned to John Cain Arena, where Doolittle (37 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Cotton (33 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led Perth, while Clark (38 points), Goulding (30 points and 4 rebounds), White (15 points and 9 rebounds) and Dellavedova (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 11 assists) carried Melbourne. After three offensive rebounds, Wagstaff (3 points and 4 rebounds) made a three-pointer with 2.9 seconds remaining to tie the scores, but Dellavedova found Goulding before Henshall (9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) was called for a foul with 0.8 seconds left. Goulding made the first free throw and deliberately missed the second as Melbourne won 113-112 and took the series 2-1, with Pinder (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) playing 19:33 minutes in the loss.

Keanu Pinder played five seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Adelaide 36ers, Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats. He averaged 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 138 NBL games.

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