Australian Dane Pineau commits to play for Saint Mary's College men's basketball team

The Australian pipeline is alive and well for the Saint Mary's College men's basketball team.

Dane Pineau, a 6-foot-9 forward who attends Melbourne Grammar School in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, has orally committed to be the third member of the Gaels' 2013 recruiting class.

"I'm really excited to come play for the Gaels," Pineau said. "I went over for a visit in late December and the people over there were just great."

Pineau has most recently been a member of the Australian under-19 national team, known as the Emus. He'll look to make that team again next year for the World Championships, and said he will likely target sometime in July to make Moraga his home.

Asked what his strengths are on the court, Pineau said he tries to bring a high energy level to the game. He said he's comfortable both getting up and down the court and finishing around the basket.

And, he's not unfamiliar with the United States, having lived in New York from 1999-2002. His father, Brad, played collegiately at Hawaii and went on to play for the Melbourne Tigers of Australia's National Basketball League.

While other American schools did contact Pineau, he said there wasn't much doubt where he would end up.

"There were a couple others I was considering," Pineau said. "The thing was, I always wanted to come to Saint Mary's."

It also didn't hurt that the Gaels had a secret weapon in recruiting. Pineau said that getting to know star

guard Matthew Dellavedova during his visit helped make up his mind.

"He's an amazing player and he's an amazing guy too," Pineau said. "I got to talk to him when I went over and it seemed like (the program) would be pretty awesome to be a part of."

With Pineau's commitment, Gaels coach Randy Bennett now adds a skilled post presence to an already-impressive recruiting class. Pineau joins guard Cullen Neal of Eldorado-Albuquerque (N.M.) and swingman Calvin Hermanson of Lake Oswego (Ore.) as 2013 commits.

"Relieved is a good word. It's nice to have it over and done with," Pineau said. "I'm really glad the decision was to go to Saint Mary's."

Source: http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_21380793/australian-dane-pineau-commits-play-saint-marys-college?source=rss

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