The Southern Districts Spartans will welcome Maddy Allen (nee Willey), Kalani Purcell and Tyrell Harrison to their women's and men's rosters for the 2022 Coles Express NBL1 North season.
In case you missed her stellar showing in 2021, Allen closed out the season with an average of 15.5 points, five assists and five rebounds each time she hit the court.
"Maddy has such an exceptional reputation across the league, and rightly so," Spartans Women's Coach Dwight Hicks said.
"Her tenacity and hustle is second to none.
"Every time she steps out there she turns up.
"Allen was a stand-out for me in that team last year and her leadership and control of the game will give us a great advantage going into the season."
Harrison comes into the line-up at a towering 214 centimetres and having suited up with the Brisbane Bullets this NBL season.
"Tyrell is a major signing for us," Men's Coach Aja Parham-Ammar said.
"His combined size and athleticism is unmatched in this league and he'll be a key member of our team this season.
"He's not only a supreme athlete, but he's a great team member and contributor.
"Tyrell has been really productive this NBL this season with the Brisbane Bullets, so I have high expectations that this will transfer through to our season."
After an impressive 2021 NBL1 North season, Purcell has carried her form in the WNBL 21/22 season and will return to the Lady Spartans as one of their most experienced players.
Averaging over nine rebounds, three steals and 12 points per game, Purcell's presence and dominance inside the key is famed and feared by the opposition.
Coach Hicks was ecstatic to have retained Purcell at the Darkside.
"Kalani is an all-out hooper," he said.
"She produces at both ends of the court and knows her strengths.
"She's such an important part of this team for us, and in my mind was irreplaceable.
"Her defensive prowess and ability to read and understand the play is outstanding.
"You turn on any WNBL game this season and it's on full display.
"Our juniors need to be around players like Kalani."
Purcell is currently suiting up for the Sydney Uni Flames in the WNBL and will join her teammates at the end of the season.
View the 2022 NBL1 roster tracker here.
Feature image taken by Stephen Schulz Photography
