PROVEN scorers and strong rebounders is what Ballarat Rush has recruited in WNBL duo Jess May and Shanae Greaves.
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The Melbourne Boomers pair fit exactly what Rush and head coach Peter Cunningham were looking to add to their 2015 South East Australian Basketball League campaign.
They have a wealth of SEABL experience and actively enjoy working within the community - and both are excited by Ballarat's basketball community.
May, aged 25, and Greaves, 21, are emerging players on the Boomers roster in the Women's National Basketball League and arrive at the recommendation of Boomers head coach Guy Molloy, the former Ballarat Miners coach.
They have played a combined 218 SEABL games with Knox Raiders, whose SEABL program enters recess next season.
May was Raiders captain, pulling together a young and developing team with stars Gab Richards and Kelly Wilson mostly sidelined with injury.
"I've always been a talker, pushing players, getting in the huddle and saying let's see what we can do better," May said.
"Rush has similar players, in terms of age, to what we had at Knox but I think the talent level for the age group is a bit higher."
Greaves said players responded well to May, who loves working with junior players to help them play at the best level they can.
Coach Molloy was influential in their decision to move to his old home court, to continue developing their games at SEABL level.
Greaves, who grew up on the Knox courts, also looked forward to being a part of a completely different club.
"There was an option for us to come together as well, so we can travel to training and games together. We were all for it," Greaves said.
"(Guy) can talk with Pete (Cunningham) on things we can develop and how our games are going.It's all new but so far, so good."
Cunningham was proud to promote Australian talent as key recruits that young Ballarat players could look up to.
He said worked in with the Rush philosophy to offer rising national stars - like Australian Opals Cayla Francis, Rachel Jarry and Amy Lewis - the opportunity to develop and help take their games to the next level, while in turn helping to develop the Rush program.
"It's good to get a bit of excitement about the program...it also consolidates a good relationship with the Boomers," Cunningham said.
"They add depth (to the Rush game) and depth to training - good, strong, quality training.
"They're the type of players that have been there, done that."
May and Greaves replace departing Rush star Steph Cumming.
Ballarat Rush also announced Harvey Norman as its new naming rights partner, which Cunningham said was great promotion for women's sport in the region.