Hume City Broncos’ are on the hunt for a new Big V women’s import with Sam Guastella heading back to Luxembourg.
Guastella, who is in her first season with the Broncos, asked the club if she could be released from her contract, to allow her to have foot surgery.
Guastella pulled up sore after the Broncos second round match, and scans showed a small effusion in her foot.
While she could have kept playing for the Broncos on a restricted training schedule, she decided to have surgery now to be right to play with her team in Luxembourg later this year.
Guastella played her last game with the Broncos on Saturday night, where she scored 18 points in the Broncos 89-56 win against Southern Peninsula Sharks.
She averaged 17 points and nearly 10 rebounds a game in her three games with the Broncos.
Broncos’ coach Glen Milner, who is currently overseas, said they would look to their youth league side for someone to step up until they find a new import.
“While it’s disappointing to lose someone of Sam’s ability, I’m confident the quality of our core group will ensure we continue to be competitive,” he said.
“It also provides the opportunity for our youth league players to get valuable experience at this level while we look for a replacement for Sam.”
The Broncos’ youth league side took in up to powerhouse Melbourne Tigers on Saturday night, losing by 14 points. The Broncos had won their opening three matches of the season.
The Broncos have already started looking for a replacement for Guastella.
Milner is currently in America watching college basketball finals and will look at possible replacement players while over there.
They are also looking across Australia for someone to fill the role left by Guastella. The Broncos are looking for someone who can play either the three, four or five spot.
Anyone interested in the vacant import/marquee position can contact the club via operations manager Craig Campbell, craig@broncosbasketball.com.au or on 9309 5655
