SBS Sport's 'Playing from the Heart' is a series that lives up to its name in every sense, striving to shed light on the cultural backgrounds that drive NBL stars; established veterans, exciting rookies, and everything in between.
WATCH every game of the 2020-21 NBL grand final series LIVE, FREE and in HD on SBS VICELAND or stream live via from 8:30pm (AEST) Friday, June 18.
"We had footy, but mostly I grew up fishing, hunting, diving - that's all I did," the 26-year-old Nyul Nyul, Bunuba and Jabirr Jabirr man said.
"To this day, when I go home that's what I do, to get my spirit right, and my soul."
Thankfully for ball fans the world over, Pinder found his way to Perth as a 10-year-old, warding off a severe bout of homesickness to graduate to the AIS, and eventually a title-winning college career in Arizona.
Now a forward for the Adelaide 36ers, the sky's the limit, and he fully appreciates the power of his position.
"To be where I come from and to make it this far, is not really known at all," he said.
"A lot of people, they don't really make it out of the Kimberley region. To do that, and to go play overseas in America ever since I was 17, it's unbelievable to be a role model for all these kids."
Enticingly, Pinder plans to utilise his role model status, in a team-up with two of the country's biggest indigenous sporting icons.
"Patty Mills and Nate Jawai - I always looked up to them. I'd love to join up with them to travel around and bring the positive message to kids in communities all around Australia," he added.
When he was just six, Sunday Dech’s family came to Australia from the town of Gambela, on the border of South Sudan and Ethiopia.
With South Sudan ravaged by civil war in the 1990s, Dech's father was able to secure immigration forms to relocate his family to Perth.
Despite having limited memories of this tumultuous period, the Adelaide 36er retains a powerful devotion to his culture and heritage.
"My tribe is the Anuak tribe, and the literal meaning of the term 'Anuak' is unity," Dech said.
"That holds a special place in my heart, because to go back to the core of who I am as a person, is through my tribe."
It's an idea that resonates perfectly for Dech on the basketball court.
"You're only as strong as the people around you, it's how I approach my game, and my team, and it helps me focus on the overall goal of winning, and doing it together," he added.
Tribal pride isn't the only cultural lesson that remains at the forefront for Dech and his young family.
"First and foremost, the number one thing my parents have preached throughout my entire childhood, even until now, is to never forget your native tongue," he said.
"Secondly, they tell me to never forget where I've come from. The hardships they endured, and the sacrifices they made to bring us to Australia to live a better life."
It's this dedication to his background and identity that fuels every dribble, basket and dunk produced by the talented 27-year-old.
"You have friends and family that are still back there going through tough times," he continued. "So appreciate what you have, and use that to drive you to succeed in whatever you do."
Melbourne United point guard Shea Ili was born and raised in South Auckland. He's a Tall Blacks stalwart, with 55 outings in the black and white singlet to his credit.
The 28-year-old is also a proud Samoan, with strong and enduring links to his island heritage.
Every Christmas, the Ili clan puts down a Samoan Umu, preparing feasts on volcanic rocks, and feeding a sizeable extended family.
"It's our way of living off the land," Ili said.
It's also an excuse to get the gang together because, for the Samoan culture, there is nothing more important than the bond with loved ones.
It's this bond that has helped Shea realise his basketball dreams.
"Aiga.. that means family, and there's a saying in the Pacific Island Community; 'it takes a village to raise a child', and that's exactly how it is," he continued.
"When we were younger, and myself or my brother needed funding to play at the Nationals or something like that, it was always my family - not just the immediate family - but the extended family as well, always helping out with fundraisers and things like that. That's how culture is to me."
These are just a few of the stories that make up the 18-part 'Playing from the Heart' series.
Players from so many parts of the world enthusiastically shared their own stories with SBS' very own sporting investigator Joel Spreadborough. Providing insights rarely (if ever) shared with Australian media, supplying unique revelations, alongside a few common and highly inspiring traits. Each of these athletes display immense pride, a strong connection to their past, and a towering sense of identity off the court. They all credit this with "lighting the fire within" when they step onto the floor.
The power of playing from the heart is perhaps best summed up by Jack White, a budding Australian superstar from Traralgon in rural Victoria.
"No matter what background you have, if you put the work in and focus on the things you can control, ultimately you can make something happen - if you want it bad enough," White said.
"Just to be part of a group that is a true testament to that statement, is a really cool thing."
The 23-year-old pinches himself when he considers the privilege of being part of the NBL's incredibly diverse playing group.
"Sitting around a dinner table, listening to stories about different guys and where they come from, what it means to them... and then taking it into a competitive basketball environment... it helps drive us all to greater heights," he added.
SBS will broadcast every game of the 2020-21 NBL season LIVE, FREE and in HD via SBS On Demand, with select games also live on SBS VICELAND.
