KEY POINTS:
Dual international Donna Wilkins has signed with the Christchurch Sirens , who debut in the Australian women's national basketball league in October.
Wilkins, 29, brings plenty of experience to the Sirens after juggling international basketball and netball commitments over the past 12 years.
"We are extremely pleased to secure the services of a player of Donna Wilkins' level, especially given that she had offers from other sports and basketball franchises," Canterbury Basketball chief executive George Kazan said today.
The Australian WNBL will not be new to the 1.85m Wilkins, who played for reigning champions Canberra Capitals for two years.
Wilkins joined Canberra in 2004-05 and posted 10 points, six rebounds and two steals from 22 minutes in last season's 73-59 grand final win over the Sydney Flames.
Wilkins is an Olympian, having represented the Tall Ferns in Sydney in 2000 and Athens four years later.
In Athens, Wilkins made her mark, racking up 14.4 points and leading the tournament in rebounds at a 10.6 average.
At last year's Melbourne Commonwealth Games, she averaged 14.4 points and a tournament best 10.4 rebounds.
Wilkins made the last cut by the Connecticut Sun for the 2006-07 American WNBA season, the top league in the world.
As a Silver Fern netball player, Wilkins won silver medals at the 1998, 2002 Commonwealth Games and 1999 world championships.
She has been a member of the Southern Sting for all of their 10 campaigns in the National Bank Cup, winning the title on seven occasions.
The Sirens now have eight contracted players with Wilkins joining Tall Ferns Aneka Kerr, Karlene Kingi, Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe, Charmian Purcell, Natalie Purcell, Lisa Wallbutton and Noni Wharemate.
The Sirens host the Townsville Fire in the opening round of the WNBL on October 5 at the Westpac Arena in Christchurch.
- NZPA
