Meet the Newbies: Dane Pineau

Over a year ago, Saint Mary’s received a verbal commitment from yet another player from the land down under. Now, the 6-9 forward Dane Pineau will look to play a large role in the Gaels interior in his freshman season.

Pineau joins the Gaels after a breakout summer when he represented Australia in the 2013 FIBA Under 19 World Championships in the Czech Republic. He averaged nearly 12 points and nine rebounds, playing against the world’s best teenagers. This international experience will surely help Pineau fit in right away at the collegiate level as it has for many former Australian Gaels.

His inside-outside threat is his strongpoint as he proved in the FIBA tournament when he shot 54% from three-point range in the nine-game tournament. He can also be a monster on the boards, as shown by his 17, 15, and 13 rebound games against Lithuania, China and Spain.

He was also the captain of the Australian U18 team last year at the 2012 Albert Schweitzer Games in Germany and averaged 14 points and 6.7 boards

The Melbourne native has had experience living in the United States, when he lived in New York for a few years in his childhood. But just as he will be adapting to life again in the United States, his game will also have to adapt to the collegiate level.

He showed some good post moves in the Gaels inter-squad scrimmage prior to the teams Australia trip, but did not put up big numbers when they played against teams from the NBL. His shooting ability will come in handy when he can hit jumpers and three pointers for Saint Mary’s, but will have to put on some weight in the upcoming years to defend the low post against much bigger, stronger opponents.

With the recent departure of forward Chris Reyes, look for Pineau to get good minutes as a true freshman playing power forward behind teammate Beau Levesque.