Depiro complete backcourt duo by signing Sophie Abela

Depiro Basketball Club’s women’s team announced a second signing for the coming season on Wednesday when they confirmed guard Sophie Abela.

This, and the Kristy Galea acquisition on Tuesday, brings together both Malta internationals that played in the US for the past few seasons.

Abela, a National team player with experience in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) with the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs for the past two seasons joins a Depiro side pushing for a Championship run, and while it was looking like Abela was to be heading back to Hibernians, it was the Mtarfa side who managed to get Abela’s signature.

In a statement, Depiro said Abela would lead the women’s team this coming season with club CEO Ruben Baldacchino calling her ‘one of the best talents on the island’.

“Sophie’s signing is very important as she brings leadership, talent, and a fresh boost of enthusiasm to our team,” Baldacchino said.

“She has shown that she’s beyond doubt one of the best talents on the island and we are proud to have her in our team following her experience in the US as a professional student-athlete.

“We are sure that our fans will be happy with this signing and will be looking forward to the start of the season to see our stars play.”

Last season, Abela managed 23.7 minutes on average per game – 18 played from which she started 15. She averaged 5.2 points per game, 2.9 assists, and 3.3 rebounds.

Over the summer, Abela was also a crucial player to Malta coach Angela Adamoli at the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE 2023).

Now she joins a Depiro side that finished the regular season in third place under Caffe Moak Luxol and eventual champions Starlites Naxxar.

With coach Fatih Dedeoglu dismissed after the end of the season, Depiro are set to appoint their new mentor by the end of the month. Meanwhile, the Times of Malta can confirm the club is also working on a return for Malta centre Danika Galea, with another foreign option being considered if the Galea move were to break down.