With the signing of several other international players this season, they now boast their most experienced line-up since entering the Women's National Basketball League.

In a busy pre-season recruiting campaign, the Rangers netted NZ international Toni Edmondson, Americans Ashley Lindsey and Casey Nash, and British team member Megan Moody to inject some height and scoring power.

It would also cover the loss of young Australian players going overseas, coach Dale Waters said. "We had only one American import last year in Jenny Benningfield."

"This year we've gone with two, but the league has also relaxed the rules in regard to players from NZ. They were deemed to be imports but, given the proximity and our relationship with NZ, they are now deemed to be unrestricted players.

"It's great for us because we get to bring in someone like Toni Edmondson, who started in the national side [Tall Ferns] when they played the Opals recently.

"We have also picked up Megan Moody, who is an Australian, but has a British passport that enables her to play for Great Britain.

"Other than Emily McInerny [retired] and Nicole Hunt, we really haven't had that many girls with international experience.

"Ashley [from Austin, Texas] is 193 centimetres and is a good athlete. She is only 22 and it's her first experience playing overseas.

"Casey [from Idaho] has played in Europe and has a college career. At 183 cm, she is a rangy athlete, has a rock-solid game, and adds another dimension to the team.

"Toni [from Christchurch] can play anywhere and has a bit of size (181cm), as does Megan Moody (188cm).

"This is Megan's first year in the WNBL. She went to college in the States and also played in Europe. She came to us during the off season to play in our SEABL team and had such a good experience that she stayed."

Waters said the international players would boost the Rangers' scoring power, which was lacking last year.

"We just didn't have enough scoring crunch last year. That's why we've gone out and recruited the girls we have. They are all prolific scorers.

"Traditionally, we have been a very good defensive team and with Macca [McInerny] retiring, we might lack a bit there.

"But from an offensive point of view, our ability to get up and down the floor, and to play that running style of game, you need to have the right personnel and we've got that."