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Saint Mary’s picks up another Australian in 2013 forward Dane Pineau

NCAA Basketball Tournament - Purdue v Saint Mary's

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 16: Matthew Dellavedova #4 of the St. Mary’s Gaels talks with head coach Randy Bennett against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at CenturyLink Center on March 16, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

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There’s no disputing the impact that recruiting Australia has had on the Saint Mary’s basketball program.

From Adam Caporn to Daniel Kickert, and from Patty Mills to current senior point guard Matthew Dellavedova (and many others), the land down under has played a major role in the growth of Randy Bennett’s program.

And the Gaels added another Australian to the fold on Wednesday, as 6-9 forward Dane Pineau verbally committed to the West Coast Conference school.

A native of Melbourne, Pineau attends Melbourne Grammar School and was a member of Australia’s U-19 team.

He’ll be trying out for the team again next year in hopes of competing in the 2013 FIBA U-19 World Championships.

Pineau’s father played college basketball at Hawai’i, and the family lived in New York from 1999 to 2002 according to Ben Enos of the Contra Costa Times, so there is familiarity with life in the United States.

And while there were other schools looking to land Pineau, his familiarity with the Saint Mary’s program ultimately won out.

“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.”


Pineau joins guard Cullen Neal and forward Calvin Hermanson as commitments in the 2013 class for Saint Mary’s.

Raphielle is also the assistant editor at CollegeHoops.net and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.