In a major coup for the struggling outfit, Adelaide Lightning WNBL player Alex Ciabattoni will join the Border club for the 2016 season.

Ciabattoni, 21, stands at 183 centimetres and will add versatility and experience alongside fellow recruits Hayley Lepaio, Ellie Junod and Molly Lewis.

She played college basketball in America with division two college Newman University, before moving on to the division one Stetson Hatters in 2014.

In her first season with the Lightning, Ciabattoni played 20 games, averaging 13 minutes and 4.6 points per game.

Lady Bandits coach Jim Wilson said Ciabattoni's class capped off a successful recruitment phase for the club.

“Our roster has improved, without a doubt,” he told The Border Mail.

“We have three players with WNBL, as well as three who have represented Australia at a junior level.

“I think it's one of the better sides we've had for a number of years.

“For us, we just want to be competitive.

“I think the team has recruited well in the previous few seasons, but the difference here is that we've gone for much younger players.

“That will in turn give our local talent an idea of the workrate they need to achieve to thrive in this competition.

“There's no doubting the talent of our local players, but they need the kind of support players like Alex can provide.”

The incoming Ciabattoni said she was excited to join the Lady Bandits.

“I had a great couple of years in the US and playing with the Lightning in the WNBL this past season has really given me a taste of what is to come,” she said.

“I am ready to take that next step and am looking forward to helping the team become a more competitive outfit in the future”.

The Lady Bandits should enjoy a level of depth that has recently been absent thanks to the recruiting spree, with the likes of Montana Farrah-Seaton and Tenille Collins to add shooting power as well.