The Bendigo Spirit have added some firepower to their offence by signing SEABL star Marena Whittle.
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Whittle will join the Spirit after an injury-interrupted season with WNBL champions the Townsville Fire.
The 24-year-old previously spent four years in the United States at NCAA division one college North Dakota State, where she was named in the All-Summit League First Team, averaged 16.8 points per game and led the team and Summit League with 10.3 rebounds per game.
She also averaged a team-high 2.1 steals per game and posted a team-best 13 double-doubles.
Coach Simon Pritchard said the 180cm forward/guard is dominating in the SEABL with Nunawading where she is averaging 22.6 points per game.
“Marena spent a week with us in Bendigo and demonstrated that she is totally ready to have an impact at WNBL level,” he said.
“Her experience in Townsville will certainly contribute to her readiness, and we thank Townsville for giving her the chance to learn from a championship program, even though she was injured.
“What I love is her willingness to take feedback and transfer that directly onto the floor.
“Marena is a gym junkie who will work herself through our individuals, strength and conditioning program and team training, to find a way to contribute.
“I think people will be really surprised with her first WNBL season. I have high expectations for Ree and the team.”
The Melbournian is familiar with the Bendigo courts and can’t wait to get started.
“After working out with Simon and some of the girls I felt like Bendigo is a team and place I could really see myself fitting well into, where I can be challenged and pushed every day,” she said.
“I know Simon holds his players to a high standard both on and off the court and I believe I will become a better player for being coached by him at the next stage of my career.
“Simon has been in contact with me and supported me since college, so I'm excited for the opportunity to work with him.
“Having grown up playing at the Bendigo Stadium at tournaments and rep games for my junior career, it's exciting to be able to move up there and represent a really great sports community that is waiting to get around basketbal.
“I can't wait to get involved in the community up there and help impact the growth of rural basketball and sports involvement. I see Bendigo as right place for me, and I look forward to the challenges ahead, and being a part of a successful team.”
