AFTER four years in the US college system, Georgia Pineau is excited to start the next chapter in her blossoming basketball career with the Bendigo Spirit.
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The 23-year-old Boston College graduate joins the Spirit as a development player.
Pineau, the younger sister of South East Melbourne Phoenix player Dane, was the first Australian to be signed by the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference school, where she spent a successful four years both on and off the court.
Graduating with a business degree, majoring in information systems and business analytics, the 185cm forward finished her senior year by amassing over 1000 career points, the only international player in the college's history to achieve this.
Pineau ranks seventh as the college's all-time leading rebounder and is one of only 10 players to achieve 1000 points and 600 rebounds for the Eagles.
Starting out as a Melbourne Tigers junior, Pineau represented Victoria in six-straight years, winning five gold medals.
She also represented Australia at the under-17 world championships, where she was coached by Spirit coach Tracy York.
Pineau is now looking to use those achievements and the experience of Boston College to advance her basketball career back home.
"I am really excited to be part of the Bendigo Spirit this season. I can't wait to start training with new team-mates and new coaching staff," she said.
Bendigo Spirit head coach Tracy York sees the signing as just the beginning for Pineau, and having coached her as an Australian junior, believes she is in a good position to know what that will bring.
"We see a future for Georgia with the club and will be looking to develop her to become an integral part of the team moving forward," she said.
"She is a great person and comes from good basketball pedigree and has already proven she is a winner."
With her final college season cut short due to COVID-19, Pineau is eager to make up for lost time and make the most of her chances in the WNBL.
"I am really looking forward to being given the opportunity to learn and develop this season," she said.
"I have been lucky enough to have played with and against some of the girls and I have played for Tracy back in the national junior team, so I'm really excited to get back into Australian basketball with Bendigo."
Confirmed Spirit signings for 2020-21: Tessa Lavey, Carley Ernst, Demi Skinner, Alicia Froling, Jennie Rintala, Mary Goulding, Amelia Todhunter, Cassidy McLean, Paige Price, Shelby Britten, Piper Dunlop and Georgia Pineau.
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