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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Excited to be committing to University of Nebraska today! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoBigRed&src=hash">#GoBigRed</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23HuskerNation&src=hash">#HuskerNation</a></p>— Keanu Pinder (@KeanuPinder28) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeanuPinder28/statuses/392269970262228992">October 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>BOOM! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoBigRed&src=hash">#GoBigRed</a></p>— Chris Harriman (@chrisharriman24) <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisharriman24/statuses/392269111087988736">October 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Nebraska basketball fans woke up to the news of another recruit committing from Oceania, this time from Australia. Keanu Pinder, listed at 6' 9" and 195 lbs, still has some growing to do, but from all accounts has the talent to be an impact player at the collegiate level. Pinder has been playing at the Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita, Kansas.
It should come as no surprise that Husker assistant Chris Harriman was at the center of Pinder's recruitment. The Aussie native has been instrumental in landing both Pinder and incoming, heralded, freshman Tai Webster. Pinder's recruitment had picked up lately as Indiana's Tom Creen and Louisville's Rick Pitino had both been paying visits to Pinder, but no record of either extending an offer as of yet.
According to Pinder's coach at Sunrise (via LJS), he still has some academic hurdles to clear before enrolling at Nebraska and will reclassify for the 2015 class, so Husker fans will have to wait a little longer for his arrival. If he's as good as the last Aussie to play at Nebraska, he'll be more than worth the weight.
Pinder visited NU unofficially on September 21 and received a scholarship offer shortly thereafter. Pinder also has international experience playing in the Australian U19 team. Basketball is in his blood as well. He is the son of former NC State standout Kendal Pinder who was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks before playing for the Harlem Globetrotters for three years.
Pinder is the first recruit for the 2015 class. The Huskers are expected to have three scholarships available. They still have one to fill for the upcoming 2014 class.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Lindsted on Pinder: "He’s worked tirelessly on his academics. He's really pushing himself. He's a great kid, more than capable of doing it.</p>— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) <a href="https://twitter.com/HuskerExtraBR/statuses/392282797211004928">October 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Keanu Pinder is son of former NC State player and 1979 NBA Draft pick Kendal Pinder, who also played in early 80s with the Globetrotters.</p>— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) <a href="https://twitter.com/HuskerExtraBR/statuses/392287374450761728">October 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Sunrise Christian's <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachKyle1">@CoachKyle1</a> on Keanu Pinder: "It literally wouldn't shock me to see him at the highest level of basketball in the end."</p>— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobinWashut/statuses/392290163339956224">October 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kudos to Tim Miles and <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisharriman24">@chrisharriman24</a> on landing Aussie U-19 member, Keanu Pinder, a 6-8 athlete with loads of potential.</p>— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) <a href="https://twitter.com/franfraschilla/statuses/392286809373175808">October 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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