Is Delany Junkermier the missing piece the Mandurah Magic women have been searching for?
Well, they certainly hope so.
I'm really excited to be here and be a part of this team
- Delany Junkermier on joining the Magic
The silky-smooth shooting guard hailing from Washington State jumped off a plane at Perth airport on Tuesday, ready to hit the court as the team's newest signing.
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The weapons at her disposal? Length to help on the defensive end, a mentality built on winning and a lethal three-point shot she hopes to use as often as possible.
It's a mix of attributes that led her to success at the college basketball level with Montana State University, winning a pair of championships and helping the side to an NCAA tournament berth while averaging 11.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in her senior year.
She also helped Mead High School take out a state championship.
Now, fresh off a stint playing in Ireland, the high-volume shooter is hoping to help Mandurah as they look to undo the heartbreak of consecutive grand final losses in the State Basketball League.
"I'm really excited to be here and be a part of this team," she said.
"I've heard about how the girls have come really close to winning a title in the past two years, so they're obviously a really professional team with high standards and that's the kind of environment I want to be a part of.
"I'm all about the team. I love it when everyone plays unselfish basketball and I love contributing to that, so I'm excited to be on a squad that, from what I'm told, shares that mentality."
On the court, Junkermier's three-point capability looms as an instant bonus to a side known more for their physicality in rebounding and defending.
A capable defender in her own right, it's her ability to hit the deep ball that has the potential to immediately stretch opposition defences.
"Oh yeah, I love the three," Junkermier said.
"Getting to the right spot on the court and playing some catch-and-shoot offence, that's my game, that's what I'm best at so hopefully that translates to helping this team."
Junkermier won't be the only international player lining up for the Magic, with Slovenian star centre Regina Palusna returning to the team after making a huge impact in her first campaign.
The duo will form a deadly line-up next to proven stars like Casey Mihovilovich, Rachel Halleen, Bree Klasztorny, Emma Klasztorny and Kelly Bailey, as well as young gun Rachel Pettit.
Together they make up a side that once again looms as genuine title contenders in 2019.
Their season tips off with a double-header against Lakeside and Kalamunda in round one.
The Lakeside game starts at 6.30pm Friday, March 15, with the Kalamunda game getting under way at 6pm the following day.