Depiro BC women sign Jamaica centre Jose-Ann Johnson

Johnson joins as Galea leaning towards a return to Rome

Depiro BC women announced their latest signing of the summer when they confirmed Jamaican-Canadian player Jose-Ann Johnson on Monday.

The 6’4 centre joins as the Mtarfa club goes through a transfer coup with three major signings for the women’s squad, as well as the confirmation of Adrian Baldacchino as the side’s new coach.

This will be her fifth stop on her basketball journey, her latest stint being with Strasbourg Illkirch Graffenstaden in the French L2. There she played 15 games, averaging 6.7 points, and 4.1 rebounds per game, with a 48.7% field goal percentage.

Upon joining, Johnson expressed her appreciation for the opportunity on the club’s socials, saying she was “looking forward to a successful season”.

Similarly, coach Baldacchino praised his new player, highlighting her experience after her college career at Duquesne University as well as seasons in France, Greece, Netherlands, and Canada.

“Jose Ann (Johnson) is an experienced player with experience in Greece A1 and France L2. I’m looking forward to working with her for next season,” Baldacchino said.

Similarly, club CEO Ruben Baldacchino echoed this sentiment.

“She’s an experienced, talented player that will definitely leave an impact in our league,” he said.

“We are happy that we have managed to sign her and are looking forward to seeing her making her debut in our league.”

Johnson, who is also a 3×3 National Team player for Jamaica, joins a Depiro side that finished the regular season in third place under Caffe Moak Luxol and eventual champions Starlites Naxxar.

The signing will bring a sense of stability to the squad previously in need of more frontcourt players.

Malta centre Danika Galea, who moved from Depiro to Elite Basket Roma last summer was one of the club’s targets but is said to be leaning towards returning to the Italian club for the coming season.

As reported by the Times of Malta earlier on, a foreign player would be Galea’s replacement in case this happens. However, with no official re-signing confirmed, the Mtarfa club has remained active in negotiations with the aim now becoming that of regaining Galea as well.