Pineau's ultimate selfless act to retire

New Zealand Breakers centre Dane Pineau has built a career as the ultimate teammate and his last act as an NBL player is a remarkably selfless one, deciding to retire because he wants another young player to get a chance.

As the son of a former NBL player, Brad, Pineau grew up dreaming of playing in the league. While he's now sad to have made the decision to retire, he couldn’t be happier to have lived out his dream.

After returning from four years continuing Australia's rich history at Saint Mary's University, Pineau got his chance at the Sydney Kings ahead of joining the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

That led to the best season of his career in NBL20 where he put up 8.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Injuries have got in the way since, but he has had a terrific 164-game career and doesn’t want to stop another young big achieving their dreams.

Whether he's making them laugh or cringe, or whether he's supporting them more than any other teammate, or doing all the right things for the team on and off the court, Pineau has made himself the ultimate teammate.

Breakers coach Petteri Koponen might have spent just one season with Pineau, but it didn’t take him long to see what a standout character he was.

"He is the ultimate teammate, the best teammate you can have," Koponen said.

"Even with his role, sometimes playing and sometimes limited minutes and with injuries, all the energy every time wherever he goes he brings that positivity.

"He always cheers for all of his teammates and whatever he decides to do or what his next goal is, I'm 100 per cent he is going to do great with the qualities he has.

"He is always trustworthy, he always puts the team first and is respectful with everybody, and I wish him all the best for the next challenges. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to coach him, it was a pleasure to be part of the journey."

While Pineau found the decision to retire aged just 30 tough, it is also the ultimate selfless act because he wants a young big to get an opportunity that he first got with the Kings back in NBL18.

"It was hard for sure and I've had the best time. I know I've never been one of the best players, but being around these guys has been a dream of mine since I was little," Pineau said.

"My dad (Brad) played in the league and I loved travelling around to all these different stadiums with my teams, and competing wherever we were.

"I'm going to miss it a lot for sure but I just feel like the time is right and I want another young (player) to have another opportunity like I did. I've had the time of my life and I feel like I want someone else to experience that too."

When Pineau was sidelined this season, he made the decision that this would be his last season and he informed his teammates following Wednesday's game.

"I told the guys in the locker room that I had time to think when I was injured and this was my last NBL game," Pineau said.

"I've had an awesome time and I want to thank the NBL so much, and the Breakers especially and the Phoenix and the Kings. I'm so grateful for the opportunities I had, it's been eight years and I've loved every minute of it.

"But I don’t want to be someone who clogs a list, I was 22, 23 and I got one of those last roster spots and got an opportunity. Hopefully by me stepping back someone young will get that chance as well."

Pineau made the most of the last three minutes of his NBL career by scoring his last points and even jacking up a three-point attempt at the urging of his teammates.

"I've had a great time, but that was it for me tonight and it was nice that the boys really got around me," he said.

"Those last few minutes didn’t mean much to anyone else but me and I really appreciated it so it was cool. It was nice to get on and score for sure too.

"The guys really wanted me to shoot the three and I thought why not? I got that up too and it was nice to shoot it even though it never looked good. Seeing all the guys up on the bench getting around was a nice moment that I'll remember for a long time."

Pineau is thankful to all the support he's received to be able to live out his dream firstly with four years in college at St Mary's and now with eight seasons in the NBL.

He's not exactly sure what his future holds when he gets back to Melbourne, but first things first is his wedding in April.

"I'm so lucky that I've had incredible support the whole time from my family. My mum and dad, and my sisters, my best friends Hughie, Channy and Dan especially, and my beautiful fiancé Louise and her family as well," Pineau said.

"I've been so lucky to have them behind me the whole way and it's been awesome. I'm looking forward to the next challenge and moving home, and being with my friends and family because I've missed them a lot too.

"Our wedding is coming up in April and that's going to be a big day. Hopefully I've found some work by then, there's a lot of bills to pay. I'm really looking forward to that and it will be a nice way to go home."