With the basketball future of recent Carlton AFLW draftee Kerryn Harrington undecided and former Spirit stars Kelly Wilson (Townsville) and Tessa Lavey (Dandenong) signing with WNBL rivals, the Spirit have recruited Connecticut Sun point guard Rachel Banham.

The 175cm sweet-shooting guard had her rookie season in the WNBA in 2016 ruined by a knee injury that required micro-fracture surgery.

It was the same knee that required surgery 18 months earlier after she tore her anterior cruciate ligament.

Banham has returned to limited action with the Sun this season where she’s averaging 2.4 points and six minutes of court time per game.

Banham’s scoring ability is what made her the number four overall pick in the 2016 WNBA draft and a priority signing for the Spirit.

She made national headlines in the US when she scored a record-breaking 60 points in a college game for Minnesota.

“Rachel is a great point guard and although it’s early into her second WNBA season, she has shown she can score from anywhere,’’ Spirit coach Simon Pritchard said.

“She will be a great asset to us offensively and her ability to work with other players at both ends of the court means she will fit in well with our systems.

“Bendigo Spirit fans are in for a treat seeing her in their backyard this season.”

Banham said she is excited about coming to Australia and playing with the Spirit.

“I can’t wait. I have heard a lot of great things about Simon and, of course, Kelsey Griffin, who also played at the Sun,” she said.

“The team is very well regarded and the Bendigo fans, from what I hear, are legendary.

“The WNBL is an amazing competition, and to be given the chance to play in the Aussie league this winter, or summer over there, will be very special.”