ASHLEIGH Karaitiana is the latest returning player to re-sign with Bendigo Spirit for the 2017-18 WNBL season.
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The former Australian under-19 representative will play her second season with the Spirit after initially signing last season after a stint in the US college system with the University of Hawaii.
New Zealand-born Karaitiana had one previous season in the WNBL, as a development player for the Sydney Uni Flames in 2010-11.
The 25-year-old averaged seven points, 3.1 rebounds and two assists per game in 22 appearances last season for the sixth-placed Spirit, who narrowly missed the finals with a 13-11 record.
She scored a season-high 17 points against eventual champions Sydney Uni in December.
Karaitiana has spent the winter playing for Brisbane Spartans in the Queensland Basketball League.
She scored 25 points and had 10 rebounds in the Spartans’ 92-43 weekend win over Gold Coast Rollers and has averaged 22.38 points, five rebounds and 2.62 assists for the season, while shooting at 43.48 per cent.
The Spartans head the ladder with a perfect 13-0 record.
Karaitiana's points average has her placed just outside the top five in the league, behind WNBL superstars Abby Bishop and Kate Gaze.
She is also leading the league in three-point shooting this season, something Pritchard is very happy with.
“I thought Special K’s first half of the season last year was fantastic,” he said.
“She really showed us, and showed Bendigo, what she is capable of.
"I am looking forward to Ashleigh stepping up another gear this season and taking a leadership role on the court.
“She will partner well with Rachel Banham, in what we believe will be a very strong back court.”
Karaitiana said her game had improved significantly under Pritchard.
“The confidence he showed in me allowed me to play the kind of game I love playing,” she said.
“It is the kind of game I want to develop further this year and take another step forward with the Spirit.”