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BENDIGO Braves are close to announcing their second import signing for the 2017 SEABL season.
The Braves will start their national championship defence with two new imports, with neither 2016 season league most valuable player Jeremy Kendle and league defensive player of the year Damien Johnson coming back to Bendigo.
They have already signed former Bryant University Bulldogs star Dyami Starks.
The exciting guard averaged 18.6 points a game in his senior year to be the leading scorer in the North East Conference.
The Braves have also signed Adelaide 36ers point guard Adam Doyle as a replacement for championship player Kevin White, who won't be playing SEABL in 2017.
Braves coach Ben Harvey said while Kendle, who debuted for the NBL's Brisbane Bullets on the weekend, and White would naturally be missed, he was glad they had been afforded big opportunities elsewhere.
"At the end of the day you move on. Adam Doyle is the replacement for Kevin and he will be great for us," he said.
"We have one more player to announce in about tw weeks, who will replace Damien Johnson.
"He'll be very similar to him."
While the Braves' season does not start until March 25 against Dandenong Rangers, championship centre Matt Andronicos has arrived back in Bendigo from Queensland.
Harvey said the former Cairns Taipans development player was eager for more success for the Braves.
"At the end of the day we all know what we what, another championship," he said.
"We are going to rebuild a team.
"I know Adam Doyle will fit in well, so if we get the right imports we are going to be up there in the mix again."
The player losses have not been limited to Kendle, Johnson and White, with talented youngster Jordan Mangan leaving to pursue Australian rules.
"Jordan was an up and comer and got limited court time in his two years," Harvey said.
"But he's one of those future kids, who has plenty of potential."
The Braves will not have to wait long to renew their rivarlry with fellow grand finalists Mount Gambier Pioneers.
The pair clash in Mount Gambier in week two on March 31.