The 196-centimetre Hollis is an athletic slasher who was part of last year’s Sydney Kings squad and will fill the small forward spot vacated by the departures of Dan Briglia and import Travis Gabbidon.

Opacic, at 208 centimetres, can play both power forward and centre and has had playing stints at the Australian Institute of Sport and Furman University, as well as a season in Macedonia.

Coming on the back of last week’s signing of new import Mohamed “Momo” Ntumba, Bandits coach Brad Chalmers said he was extremely pleased to have his big-man stocks replenished for next year’s SEABL campaign, having also lost Mitch Boyce from this season’s squad.

“Having Ben and Alex agree to play with us are exciting signings and really tells us we are making moves in the right direction for the club,” Chalmers said.

“Although our imports and the make-up of our roster will be different from last season, I think these guys’ athleticism, basketball smarts and ability to play at both ends of the floor will give us the boost we’ve been looking for.”

Hollis, 23, has spent the past five ABA seasons playing for the Hornsby Spiders in NSW’s Waratah League, averaging 13 points and 13 boards per game last year while finishing second in the league in rebounding, an impressive feat for a small forward.

Opacic also comes to the Border from the Waratah League, having averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game this season for the Bankstown Bruins.

Chalmers said the new duo’s prowess on the boards was a major factor behind their recruitment to the Border club.

“They should both fit pretty well with what we’re trying to do, Ben is fairly athletic, we probably haven’t had an Australian athlete of that calibre for a while,” Chalmers said.

“His rebounding ability is what we need to make some ground up on other teams and the big fellow Alex has a really good skill set for the stuff we want to run.

“He can shoot the three, he’s got some good post moves and he’s a pretty good passer as well, which is good, so talent-wise, I think we’ve upgraded.

“They haven’t played SEABL but I think they’ll be spurred on by the challenge of stepping up to this league and having to prove themselves.”

Both players are expected to arrive on the Border in February for preseason work.

The Bandits are also expected to announce the signing of a US point guard in the coming weeks as well as possibly one more young Australian forward.