Olympic basketballer Erin Phillips will play for the Crows in the new AFL women’s league next season.

Phillips, who represented the Australian Opals in Rio last month and is playing for Dallas Wings in the WNBA, has signed as a ‘rookie’ in a major coup for the new squad and the competition.

The two-time WNBA champion is the daughter of SA Football Hall of Fame inductee Greg Phillips, who played in eight SANFL premierships among his 343 games for Port Adelaide Magpies and also played 85 VFL games for Collingwood.

A talented junior footballer, Erin chose to pursue a basketball career because there was a pathway to play at an elite level.

Her last competitive Australian Football hit-out was in a women’s Crows v Power match in 2004.

Phillips, 31, said she was excited to have the opportunity to play in the league’s inaugural season.

“When the Adelaide Crows contacted me I was just so blown away by how professional they were and how committed they were, not only to getting me to play but to the women’s game itself,” Phillips said.

“I am thrilled that together with my manager, Ben Williams from Players Ink, we were able to come to an arrangement which works for all parties.”

Phillips is the Crows’ sixth signing for the women’s squad, joining Chelsea Randall, Kellie Gibson, Ange Foley, Courtney Cramey and Jasmine Anderson.

Adelaide’s Head of Football David Noble said it was a huge coup to have Phillips at the Club.

“Signing an athlete of Erin’s calibre is a huge positive for the Club and for the wider competition,” Noble said.

“Erin has a real toughness and brings years of experience as a professional athlete at the highest level. She has true leadership qualities and I have no doubt she will immediately have a positive influence on our team.”

Crows Senior Coach Bec Goddard said she was thrilled the Club had signed Phillips.

“With her experience and athletic ability, Erin is sure to make an immediate impact on the competition,” Goddard said. “She will be a huge asset to the team both on and off the field.”

In addition to her playing responsibilities, Phillips will also take up a part-time role with the Club, working across a number of portfolios including football, media and communications, commercial and development.

She will return to the US after the women’s AFL competition to play in the 2017 WNBA season.

See more news and video about the Crows women’s team

Erin Phillips

Age: 31

Previous Clubs:

2002-2008 – Adelaide Lightning (WNBL)

2006-2009 – Connecticut Sun (WNBA)

2008-2009 – Ramat Hasharon Electra (Israel)

2009-2010 – Lotos Gdynia (Poland)

2010-2013 – Wilsa Krakow (Poland)

2011-2013 – Indiana Fever (WNBA)

2014-2015 – Phoenix Mercury (WNBA)

2015 – Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA)

2016 – Dallas Wings (WNBA)

Major Awards: