Team leads charge to secure forward
THE Hobart Chargers season could soon be flipped on its head with the struggling side believed to be in negotiations to sign one of the biggest names in Australian female basketball.
Opal and former WNBA first round pick Alanna Smith is understood to be in talks with Chargers management to sign on for the rest of the NBL1 season.
The 196cm skilful forward has represented Australia on numerous occasions, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and most recently for the Opals in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Serbia in February.
Smith’s signing would be one of the biggest coups in the history of Tasmanian female basketball and a monumental boost for the Chargers who remain winless after eight games.
On Wednesday, coach Dwain Davie acknowledged the team was in discussions with a potential “huge” signing but would not confirm the player’s identity.
“We are currently in negotiations to add a player but I can’t reveal who that is exactly,” Davie said.
“We have to continue on business as usual and hopefully that comes to fruition, but if it doesn’t then we continue with the group we have,” he said.
“We are doing everything we can to get that across the line but it’s not a reality yet.
“The discussions are happening and I’m confident something will happen, I just can’t confirm anything right now.”
After being picked at No.8
the 2019 WNBA draft, in Smith spent three seasons with the Phoenix Mercury before spending a brief time with the Indiana Fever this season before being waived two weeks ago.
It is understood the Chargers were interested in signing Smith before she was picked up by Indiana and have since rekindled the discussions with the star since being released from the Fever.
Davie acknowledged their potential new addition would take the Chargers from NBL1 easybeats to one of the most feared teams in the competition overnight.
“It would certainly transform us into a totally different team,” he said.
“The calibre of player she is would obviously make some people sit up and take notice that’s for sure.
“If that were to eventuate it would be a huge thing for the club and the basketball community.
“We’ve had some really good conversations and it’s been going on for a couple of weeks.
“It’s an exciting opportunity that we are really keen to nail down but we need to make it work for both parties and hopefully we can.”
Davie said he was hopeful of securing their new addition’s signature before this weekend’s road trip against Ballarat and Eltham on Saturday and Sunday.