Perth Wildcats star Keanu Pinder’s brilliant form makes him a clear contender for NBL Best Sixth Man award

Cairns Taipans coach Adam Forde has heaped praise on Perth Wildcats star Keanu Pinder, declaring he should be a contender for the NBL’s Best Sixth Man award. Pinder has been a revelation since moving to the bench following a mid-season illness. He has averaged 15 points, six rebounds and one block across those nine matches and also had a double-double when coming off the bench against Melbourne earlier in the season. Pinder played 12 matches as a starter before coach John Rillie made the move and the athletic centre must begin the remaining three games on the bench to be eligible for the Best Sixth Man award. The criteria demand players begin more games on the bench than in the starting five. Forde coached Pinder in Cairns and helped him to become a two-time NBL Most Improved winner. Having watched him score 29 points, win 11 rebounds and have three blocks against his players on Saturday night, Forde said Pinder was closing in on another accolade. “Keanu Pinder was massive off the bench. If KP finishes out the rest of the year coming off the bench, he’s a Sixth Man candidate. I may be biased because I like KP,” he said. Pinder appears likely to continue coming off the bench given Wildcats coach John Rillie has expressed a desire to continue giving Izan Almansa and David Okwera opportunities to start. The Wildcats need Pinder to maintain his form after following a home loss to Melbourne on Wednesday with a 125-116 defeat against Cairns in double overtime on Saturday. Pinder said he will do whatever Rillie needs and wouldn’t alter his approach regardless of whether he starts on the court or on the bench. “I think I can bring energy either way,” Pinder said. “I don’t think it matters if I come off the bench or I start. I’m an energy player so I don’t think it affects me mentally to be able to bring more energy off the bench.” PInder’s importance was evident during overtime. Only Kristian Doolittle and Bryce Cotton spent more time on court during the extra periods. His 33 minutes on court was the most he’d played all season. But Pinder was looking at the areas where he could improve instead of enjoying his stats. “I missed a lot of shots. I’ve got to be better in that moment. But I got the opportunity to play. I felt like I did a pretty good job on the defensive end,” he said. The Wildcats paid a high price for their successive home defeats. They are now fifth on the ladder and have another challenging week. They play fourth placed South East Melbourne at home on Friday and then travel to face third placed Sydney on Sunday.