WARRACKNABEAL basketball export Chloe Bibby is ready for her first full season as a professional in the Women's National Basketball League.
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Bibby, 16, has signed with the Dandenong Rangers and is ready to help the team take on the Melbourne Boomers on Saturday in the competition's opening round.
She made her professional debut with the Rangers last season, but had less than a minute of court time in the single game she played.
Now a permanent member of Dandenong's roster, Bibby said she was looking forward to making a bigger contribution and developing her game more this season.
"This year I've actually signed with the team so it will be different," she said.
"Last year I was only a development player, but I should get a bit more court time this season.
"The experience has all been good - everyone has been nice and they all help me out with plays.
"They're really supportive and they put me in line when I'm out of place."
Bibby played three games for Dandenong at the weekend as part of the league's Spring Shield pre-season tournament in Bendigo.
She scored her first points as a professional in the opening game against the West Coast Waves, finishing with four points in 18 minutes.
Bibby ended the tournament with averages of 1.3 points and one rebound per game.
"I went alright playing a few minutes here and there, and that's how I think it will be during the season," she said.
"It's all about getting experience because I'm the rookie of the team, so I just want to learn the ropes from everyone else."
Bibby was a member of the Australian women's under-17 team at the world championships earlier this year.
She said playing at a professional level was another step up for her.
"It's a lot different from underage teams," she said.
"It's much faster and you have to think on your feet a lot more, but it's also more fun."
An achilles tendon injury to star Rangers centre Liz Cambage last month opened the door for Bibby to earn more court time this year.
Bibby said it was never good to see a team-mate go down - especially one as well-credentialed as Cambage - but she wanted to make the most of her opportunity.
"It's disappointing that she went down, but I think we're still going to be competitive this year," she said.
After Cambage's injury, the Rangers signed superstar American guard Cappie Pondexter to fill the void.
Pondexter is a six-time Women's WNBA All-Star, a two-time WNBA champion and won a gold medal with team USA at the 2008 Olympics.
In 2011 Pondexter was named one of the 15 greatest WNBA players of all time.
Pondexter was due to train with the Rangers for the first time last night.
Bibby said she was excited to be rubbing shoulders with one of the best female basketballers of all time.
"To have her sign is amazing," she said.
"I'm definitely going to be starstruck at training."