Keanu Pinder can be a Perth Wildcat for the subsequent two seasons after inking a deal again in his residence state.
The NBL’s two-time reigning Move Improved Player will hyperlink up with the franchise following a season with Spanish group Fuenlabrada within the Liga ACB.
Pinder, who was born in Derby, Western Australia, started his basketball profession with the Lakeside Lightning and East Perth Eagles earlier than journeying to Poland by way of Legia Warszawa then again to the NBL with Adelaide and Cairns.
He was a part of a Taipans facet that went from the second-worst report in 2022 to finals contenders in 2023, earlier than an orbital fracture dominated the star out of the playoffs.
Pinder is the one participant in NBL historical past to win consecutive MIP awards and he says he’s ecstatic to be enjoying in entrance of his household as soon as once more.
“It feels great to be able to play in front of my family and the best fans in the country,” he mentioned.
“I can’t wait to get started and I feel like we’re going to win a championship.
“Wildcats have such a rich culture and tradition of winning championships and I feel like I can be a part of that I think we will have the team to do it, I like the vision the club has for me and I think we’re going to do well.”
The acquisition of Pinder fills a gap left by NBA draftee Luke Travers, who knowledgeable the membership of his want to discover his choices as a free agent this week.
Coach John Rillie mentioned bringing within the 27-year-old matches the mould of bringing native, elite expertise again to the Cats.
“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 mentioned.
“He also rebounds at a high level so that addresses one of our weaknesses of last season.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
