THE return of several star players from Europe promises to make the Women's National Basketball League season one of the most competitive ever.
At least three other teams look capable of giving defending champion Canberra plenty of headaches when the season begins at the weekend.
Last season's runner-up Bulleen has added the country's most outstanding youngster, giant 203-centimetre teenager Elizabeth Cambage, plus fellow Opals squad member Jenna O'Hea. Sydney University, which missed the finals last season for only the second time in the last 10 years, has built up more than any other team. It has fortified its frontline by bringing back Opals Suzy Batkovic-Brown and Natalie Porter from overseas.
It has also snapped up another Opal in guard Deanna Smith, former Bendigo player Deanne Butler, and regained the services of Mikaela Dombkins from Logan.
The Capitals have replaced the pregnant Michelle Musselwhite with Opals star Carly Wilson, who knocked back an offer from a Polish club. ''This year is going to be a big challenge. Other teams have recruited really heavily. It's going to be a tough year to defend our title,'' said Capitals captain Kellie Abrams.
AAP