Rising star completes champion's WNBL27 roster

Reigning champion Townsville have completed their roster for the WNBL27 season by announcing the signing of exciting North Queensland junior and Australian representative Cheyenne Bobongie on Thursday.

The Mackay product is regarded as one of North Queensland's emerging basketball talents and has already represented Australia at junior level, earning selection in the Australian Under-17 program.

Her signing provides another important link between the Fire and the basketball pathway across North Queensland, with the club committed to creating opportunities for talented young athletes from the region to progress into the professional game.

Townsville Fire Head Coach Shannon Seebohm said Bobongie had earned the opportunity to take the next step in her development.

"Cheyenne is a talented young player who has already achieved a lot through the junior pathway, and we're really pleased to have her joining our program," Seebohm said.

"She has great athleticism, competes hard and has plenty of upside.

"This season will give her the opportunity to train every day in a professional environment and learn from an experienced group of players.

"For a young North Queensland athlete to be able to continue her development here in North Queensland is also really important to us.

"We want talented young players from across our region to be able to see a genuine pathway from junior basketball through to the WNBL, and Cheyenne is another great example of what that can look like."

For Bobongie, joining the Fire represents another significant step in a basketball journey that began in Mackay and has already taken her onto the national stage.

"I'm really excited to have the opportunity to join the Fire and be part of a WNBL program," Bobongie said.

"Growing up in North Queensland, you know what the Fire represents and the success the club has had, so to now have the chance to train and play alongside these athletes is pretty special.

"I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can, working hard and making the most of the opportunity."

The Fire open their title defence against Grand Finalists, the Lynx, at the Perth High Performance Centre on October 17.