Keanu Ready To Share Starring Role

“Opportunity” and “confidence” define Keanu Pinder’s move to the Perth Wildcats, and the back-to-back NBL Most Improved Player has backed himself to, once again, take his game to a new level.

Although injury restricted Pinder to just 19 appearances across NBL23, the star centre once again took the competition by storm and proved to be the face of a resurgent Taipans side, under Adam Force.

Now entering his fourth season in the NBL, Pinder has returned to his home state of West Australia to represent one of the most celebrated teams in the history of the NBL, and sport in Australia. 

“I’ve got a lot more in the tank,” Pinder said. “I’ve got a lot more improvement in my game and I know I can do that here.

“All it is, is being confident. I’ve had coaches in the past who could give me confidence.

“I feel like I’ve been pretty much the same player for a long time now, but I’ve been given opportunities to explore while playing basketball – in real games – and it’s just been good for me.

“[Moving to Perth] is a great opportunity for me. It’s a great fit to be able to play alongside one of the greatest players in NBL history.

“I can’t wait to get started with ‘BC’ and the roster we have.”

After being forced to sit out of Cairns’ post-season run due to facial fractures suffered against South East Melbourne in Round 17, Pinder headed to Spain to represent Baloncest Fuenlabrada in the Liga ACB over the off-season.

However, he played just six games as his side finished the season rooted to the bottom of the standings, with just four wins from 34 games.

Pinder, though, impressed on an individual level. He surpassed 20 points in three of his six appearances, and registered double-doubles in two of them.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Look who’s here, Red Army! ?<br><br>Keanu Pinder has touched down in Perth and stopped by Wildcats HQ today to say hello. <a href="https://t.co/RZUf5pKGMm">pic.twitter.com/RZUf5pKGMm</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1662007610600722434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“It started off pretty well, I thought,” Pinder said of his time in Spain.

“I just proved to myself that I can play anywhere in the world – it doesn’t matter.

“It just gave me more confidence to come back and do the same thing here.

“I just played basketball, had a lot of fun and enjoyed my time over there.”

Pinder’s return to his home state is one of a number of new signings made by the Wildcats as they look to re-assert themselves at the top of the competition.

He's been joined in the frontcourt by Next Star Alexandre Sarr, highly-rated former Melbourne forward David Okwera, and gritty former Adelaide and current New Zealand international Hyrum Harris.

Young West Australian guard Ben Henshall has also been added to the side, while both Corey and Tai Webster have re-committed to the program for next season.

“We have some really good pieces, and I can’t wait to be able to practice and get int the gym with these boys,” Pinder added.

“I have complete confidence in these guys, and I really hope we’re going to fight for a championship.

“Danny (Mills) has done a great job of recruiting, and I definitely think we’re going to be a contender for next year’s championship.”

Perth’s NBL24 campaign will get underway on Friday, September 29 against the Adelaide 36ers.

Pinder’s first meeting with his former side, Cairns, won’t come until Round 8, on Thursday, November 16.