Chloe Bibby to play for Mississippi State University in 2017

Full steam ahead for Chloe Bibby

FOR Chloe Bibby, becoming a Bendigo Lady Brave is a dream come true.

The 18-year-old has played dozens of games over the years at Bendigo Stadium in Dandenong Rangers, Horsham Hornets and Country Victoria teams and entertained the idea of one day lining-up for Bendigo's SEABL time.

This season she will get her wish.

Bibby, who move to the United States to play basketball with Mississippi State University at the end of the SEABL season, said the decision to join the Lady Braves was an easy one to make.

"With me going to college at the end of the year I wanted to move closer to family (in the Wimmera) and I have other family here in Bendigo," she said.

"(Coach Jonathan Goodman) found that out and asked me to come and play with the Braves - he drove a hard bargain.

"Everything here is pretty great so I was keen to jump on board."

Bibby will join the Lady Braves at the end of her commitments with WNBL team Dandenong Rangers.

The former Australian under-17 representative is in her fourth season with the Rangers and has also played two years with their SEABL team.

She said her impressions of the Lady Braves, built from her experiences with the Rangers, were that of a tough opponent with a strong defensive mindset.

"They have a great crowd too - a real country crowd," she said.

""I've played a lot of tournaments (in Bendigo) over the years so it's going to be great to be here on a more permanent basis.

"The Lady Braves have always been tough to play against, but now I get to play alongside some of those girls."

Bibby said her immediate focus was helping Dandenong shore up a WNBL finals berth.

The Rangers sit in third place with a 14-7 record after heading the ladder for the bulk of the season.

"It's been a great season and I have learned heaps," Bibby said.

"Obviously I'm still young, so it's all about learning and improving.

"We're in it to win it and our preparation (for finals) has been pretty good."

Bibby is the Lady Braves' first major new player signing for 2017.

Coach Goodman said the team was gaining a great rebounder and scorer.

"A lot of our focus last year was on out two gaurd and five man, but Chloe's signing opens ups the floor a bot with a legitimate scorer," he said.

"She's an outstanding junior.

"I enjoyed working with her a couple of year ago in a state team. We have a good rapport and I'm really looking forward to helping her develop her game.

"It's great having a Victoria Country junior playing in our town of Bendigo."