Hobart’s Lady Chargers get a gift-wrapped Opal

THE Lady Chargers have highly touted Australian Opal Cayla Francis unexpectedly landing on their doorstep in a recruiting bonanza.

Basketball Cairns Dolphins vs Maroochydore played in Hoare St Basketball Centre Manunda : Dolphins no 22 Cayla Francis

THE Lady Chargers will replace one national squad member with another, with highly touted Australian Opal Cayla Francis unexpectedly landing on their doorstep in a recruiting bonanza.

Overdue for some luck after season-ending injuries to Julie Paunovic (knee) and Emma Langford (ankle), Hobart has been gift-wrapped the 192cm centre for the remainder of the 2014 SEABL season.

The Mercury understands Francis will be unveiled as the import replacement for Langford as soon as today and will suit up against the Centre of Excellence at home on Friday night.

Francis, 25, has spent the past two seasons playing in France for Aix-en-Provence, where in her most recent campaign she averaged 14.4 points and 6.5 rebounds.

Her partner is the brother of electric Chargers guard Deba George — and it is believed his desire to visit Tasmania and spend time with his sibling led to Francis following and asking about joining the Lady Chargers.

Francis, a former WNBL rookie of the year, has been part of the Opals program since 2008 and despite fighting for positions with the likes of Elizabeth Cambage, Lauren Jackson and veteran Suzy Batkovic, she is well in the mix for the 2016 Olympics.

Opals duties are likely to see her unavailable for a handful of SEABL games, but with the group having won four of its past five matches to move into the top four, her presence will give incoming coach Mark Nash a huge boost for the ­second half of the year.

Nash will take the reins from Dan Krebs after Friday night’s clash, with Krebs moving to Cairns.

Last week Francis signed for WNBL side Townsville for the 2014-15 season.

In the men’s camp, the ­future of American Jerrah Young remains in the balance, with the club on the verge of axing the underperforming import.

Young, who alongside ­Khalil Hartwell replaced three-time SEABL All-Star Brandon Polk and swingman Jordan Gregg, has shown few glimpses through his first 12 matches. But it was his performance last Saturday against Mt Gambier that set the alarm bells ringing.

The forward fouled out early in the final quarter failing to hit the score sheet (0-7 from the field) and though he pulled down 11 rebounds, his lack of offensive firepower is a huge concern.

Young is averaging just 12.7 points at 37 per cent for the season to go with 11.5 rebounds, but in four matches at Aurora Sports Stadium he is just 9-46 from the floor while fouling out in his past two ­appearances.