THE Bendigo Lady Braves have bolstered their roster with the signing of former WNBA centre Chante Black.
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A former first round pick in the WNBA draft, Black replaces Elyse Penaluna, who has been ruled out for the rest of the SEABL season with a knee injury.
The 196cm Black has spent time on three WNBA rosters, most recently with the San Antonio Stars in 2013.
Most recently she played professional basketball in Italy about 12 months ago.
The former college standout will arrive in Bendigo on Monday, not in time to take part in the Lady Braves week eight game against the Dandenong Rangers on Sunday
"She had a great college career at Duke University and is a quality player and a quality person," Goodman said.
"She's 6'4"-6'5", she can pick and pop and she can finish around the rim.
"I'm really excited to get her in."
Black was the 10th pick overall in the 2009 WNBA draft by the Connecticut Sun.
She averaged 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds during her four years at Duke University, including more than 14 points in her final two years in 2007-08 ad 2008-09.
Black said she was excited to be joining the Braves organisation.
“This is a great opportunity for me and I hope that my contributions can help lead to a successful season,” she said.
“It will be my first time in Australia and I cannot wait to join my team.”
This is a great opportunity for me and I hope that my contributions can help lead to a successful season.
- Chante Black
Goodman said it was disappointing to lose Penaluna, who was one of the architects behind the Lady Braves reaching the conference grand final in 2010.
"She was told on Friday that the surgeon wanted to go in and have a look (at her knee)," he said.
"We thought initially it was just to clean up some loose meniscus, but they found a tear in her lateral meniscus.
"That had to be repaired. Obviously she's pretty devastated."
Goodman, who is married to Penaluna, said she would now undergo rehabilitation with the aim of being ready for the 2016-17 WNBL season with the Melbourne Boomers.
"Previously she has always had to rush back for a (playing) commitment, now she can do the full rehab at the required pace."
Penulana was yet to suit-up this season for the Lady Braves, who enter the Rangers clash with a 4-3 win-loss record, including wins in three of their last four games.
The injury-riddled Lady Braves are coming off an impressive 88-61 win against Canberra.