17
Nov
Asian Qualifiers
Pinder called in as Magnay's Boomers replacement
Keanu Pinder #23 of Australia dunks during the FIBA Asia Cup semi-final between Australia and New Zealand at Istora Gelora Bung Karno on July 23, 2022 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images
Pinder comes into a Boomers team to face a Tall Blacks side filled with dominant big men
- The Boomers will play the Tall Blacks on November 28 in Hobart and December 1 in Wellington
- Keanu Pinder replaces the injured Will Magnay in the Australian squad
- Australia won the series the last time these two teams met, beating NZ 2-1 in the Trans-Tasman Throwdown in May
Two-time NBL Most Improved Player Keanu Pinder has been called in to replace injured big man and Australian Boomers skipper Will Magnay for the upcoming double-header against New Zealand.
Magnay, who led the Boomers to a gold medal at the FIBA Asia Cup earlier this year, missed Tasmania's loss to the Adelaide 36ers after suffering bone bruising in his right knee sustained at practice last week.
He will miss both games against the Tall Blacks with the opening leg at Hobart on November 28 followed by the return match in Wellington on December 1.
Pinder comes into the squad on the back of an impressive start in his first season in the Japanese B League, averaging 17.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for the Akita Northern Happinets despite the team sitting at the bottom of the ladder with just three wins from 18 games.
The 30-year-old's addition is an important one for the Boomers who will face a New Zealand side filled with talented big man such as Brisbane Bullet Tyrell Harrison, Sam Mennenga from the Breakers and Pinder's teammate in Japan, Yanni Wetzell.
In a release from Basketball Australia, associate head coach Dean Vickerman noted the importance of adding a talented big with the late withdrawal of Magnay.
"We welcome Keanu Pinder onto the Boomers roster and believe his elite skill set will be a great addition to the team,” he said.
Pinder joins Boomers veteran Nick Kay as the only player in the squad, who is not currently featuring in the NBL.
He played for the Boomers at their successful FIBA Asia Cup tournament in 2022 and most recently played for the Perth Wildcats in the NBL. Pinder won back-to-back Most Improved Player award's with the Cairns Taipans in 2022 and 2023.
The Boomers won the Trans-Tasman Throwdown series 2-1 the last time these two teams met but this is a much stronger Tall Blacks side, who will be looking to cause an upset over their traditional rivals.
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