KRISTINA Baltic thought the phone call from Australia was just a prank.
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But the 187-centimetre power forward quickly discovered Albury-Wodonga Lady Bandits coach Michael Brookens was deadly serious about her playing for the Border SEABL outfit.
Baltic, 23, and a Serbian League finals most valuable player, arrived on the Border on Thursday but will be eased into training while finishing her recovery from a broken hand suffered while playing for French club Lyon.
“I was kind of surprised when the coach contacted me in December,” Baltic said.
“I was thinking it was some joke or something, I wasn’t expecting for that to be real.
“But I’ve come here and I’m very lucky and I hope this will be a very good season.”
Brookens was ecstatic to have what is in all likelihood the first-ever female European import in the SEABL.
“Kristina’s athleticism is the one thing that sets her apart,” Brookens said.
“Her rebounding, tenacity and ability to create off the dribble are all things she’ll bring to the team.
“She’ll give us some scoring punch at the power forward spot that’s really needed in this league.”
The Lady Bandits also yesterday unveiled 182-centimetre small forward Teyla Evans, who spent the WNBL season with the Dandenong Rangers.
Evans, 20, comes to the Border club having also previously played in the QBL for the Cairns Dolphins before signing as a development player with the Rangers.
“Michael (Brookens) takes everything seriously and even in the past couple of days here I can already see that,” Evans said.
“The opportunity to play and train with (WNBA stars) Penny (Taylor) and Cappie (Pondexter) at Dandenong, I learned a lot from them.
“Basketball smarts, understanding the flow of the game and letting the game come to you.
“I’m hoping to have a good season here and then hopefully will get some opportunities from other WNBL teams from that.”
Both Bandits teams will take on Ballarat’s SEABL squads in pre-season matches today and tomorrow at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre.
Tip-off is 3pm (Lady Bandits) and 5pm (Bandits) today and 11am (Lady Bandits) and 1pm (Bandits) tomorrow, with entry $2 for spectators.