The former WNBA centre took part in her first practice session on Monday night, just hours after landing in Australia.

Coach Jonathan Goodman said her presence had "instantly" changed the dynamics of the group.

"It was good to have a real big in there," he said.

"I think she is going to fit in well - the girls have been really welcoming towards her and she's really embraced the girls.

"At the moment it's a really good fit."

Black, the number 10 draft pick in the 2009 WNBA draft by the Connecticut Sun, joins the Lady Braves as a replacement for injured star Elyse Penaluna, who has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury.

The former Duke University college star has missed the past two years while caring for her mother, who was undergoing treatment for cancer.

"She's doing a lot better after stem cell (therapy), so I'm getting back into things," she said.

"This is the perfect place for me to get back into basketball.

"I'm looking to get back into the flow of things. It takes a little time, but I think this will help."

Standing at 196 centimetres, Black gives the Braves the height, inside presence and rebounder they have been sorely lacking early in the SEABL season.

She is also expected to add plenty of steel at the defensive end of the court.

This is Black's first time in Australia, though not the first time she has had Australian teammates.

She played two seasons at Duke alongside one-time WNBL All Star Five selection Jessica Foley and with Australian Opals star Erin Phillips during her first WNBA season in 2009.

A week 12 clash against Hobart on June 25 will reacquaint Black with her former college teammate Kathleen Scheer, one of the league's leading scorers and rebounders.

Black enjoyed a stellar college career with the Blue Devils, finishing with 1438 points, to rank eighth all-time in the college's history.

She ranks fifth in the school's history with an average of 7.3 rebounds per game.

She was just the third player in ACC history to register over 1400 points, 900 rebounds and 250 blocked shots.

Black said the opportunity to play in Australia was one she had not considered until the Lady Braves came knocking and was keen to repay the club's faith in her and contribute towards the team's finals push.

"It's a place I wanted to visit, (but) I've always played in Europe, or Asia, but I'm excited to be here," she said.

"I've met my teammates, they're awesome and a great group of girls.

"They're very charismatic and hard workers. I'm definitely hoping to win some games and help out.

“I’m a competitor so I’m looking forward to it.”

Black will play her first game for the Lady Braves this Saturday against the Frankston Blues.

With the team playing its next two games on the road, Lady Braves fans will not get a chance to see Black in action at Bendigo Stadium until June 18 against the Ballarat Rush.