Guard/forward Olivia Thompson was announced as the club’s latest signing and follows on the back of fellow former Boomers Jess May and Shanae Greaves, who were confirmed late last year.

Thompson is enjoying a breakout season in the Women’s National Basketball League, where she is leading the Boomers in rebounding and is third in scoring.

The 22-year-old has had stints with the Townsville Fire and has represented Australia on the international stage on numerous occasions. In 2013, she helped Australia capture the bronze medal at the World University Games; in 2009, she represented Australia at the FIBA U17 Oceania Championships; and in 2010, she was part of the Australian team at the FIBA U17 World Championships and the FIBA U19 Oceania Championships.

In 2009, she was awarded an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship and spent time on the AIS women’s basketball team from 2010-2012.

Rush head coach Peter Cunningham said Thompson would provide “a big boost” to the roster.

“(Thompson) is an athletic forward who will provide significant mobility, scoring and rebounding to the team, after a standout year last year where she finished in the top 10 for the league in scoring – 17.8 a game – and rebounding – 9.6 a game – and was also voted the youth player of the year,” he said.

“After this season playing with the Melbourne Boomers in the WNBL, she will also be invaluable in providing leadership to the group and a role model for our younger players.”

The Rush will start its new season with a clash against arch-rival Bendigo at the Minerdome on Friday, April 10.