Keanu Pinder de-commits from New Mexico
Keanu Pinder has gone through quite the recruitment process, having de-committed from Nebraska in May 2015, announcing his commitment to New Mexico, and it seemed as if the Perth native had finally found a home.
However, Pinder is back on the recruitment trail, announced via Twitter that he has now also de-committed from the Lobos in another turn of events.
https://twitter.com/KeanuPinder28/status/707755631373987840
A 6’8 small forward, Pinder began his recruitment back in 2013 when he was still playing in high school, with Saint Mary’s, Auburn, New Mexico, Albany, Indiana Louisville, Tulane, Washington and Nebraska all looking to secure the Western Australian.
After his first de-commitment from the Cornhuskers, Pinder citied the main reason as not being able to truly experience the full recruiting process because he, “[I] committed to Nebraska so early when I came to the US,” via Olgun Uluc.
While Pinder hasn’t yet stated a reason as to why he has backed out of his commitment to the Lobos, it would be safe to assume it isn’t to experience the recruiting trail again; he traversed it for seven months before his commitment to New Mexico.
Originally, Pinder decided to join New Mexico on the back of Australian Chris Harriman, joining as an assistant coach with the Lobos. Harriman was on Nebraska’s staff when Pinder first committed there, so there is a correlation between the duo leaving the Cornhuskers and subsequently going to New Mexico.
Harriman remains on the Lobos coaching staff.
Currently playing with the Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons, Pinder was just recently named to the HCC All-Tournament Team. Pinder averaged 9.9 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Blue Dragons, while shooting the ball at a 50.5% clip.
https://twitter.com/bluedragonsport/status/705589050325884930
Pinder has represented Australia before, both at the 2015 World University Games and the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championships. While having a minimal impact at the U19 FIBA Tournament, Pinder was able to display his strong defensive and rebounding ability at the World University Games, also demonstrating his capability at finishing at the rim.
Pinder has basketball in his blood, as his father, Kendall 'Tiny' Pinder, played professional in the NBL for the Sydney Supersonics and Perth Wildcats and is also a former Harlem Globetrotter.
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