PRAGUE (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017) – Czech Republic have been handed a major boost for EuroBasket Women 2017 after the host nation revealed Kia Vaughn will suit up as their naturalized player at the event.

While the international arena will prove to be new territory for the powerful center, Vaughn will be in familiar surroundings as she is now in her fifth season at ZVVZ USK Prague.

She wrote herself into local basketball folklore when she was crowned EuroLeague Women MVP in the Czech capital during 2015 when leading Prague to their first ever title in the competition.

"It feels good and as if I am part Czech already, so it is a blessing," said Vaughn, who is also a force on the other side of the Atlantic in the WNBA.

"It means that I get to represent a country, my family and friends in a very positive way.

"To have the opportunity to play at a major tournament like this (FIBA EuroBasket Women) is a good experience.

"The goal is always to win and I hope I can lead and bring my teammates with me.

"We just need to go out and do what we can to play some good basketball, and hopefully the support can be as good as it is for EuroLeague Women games [with Prague] as I really enjoy it," concluded Vaughn.

Czech Republic will start their tournament in Hradec Kralove and have been pithed into Group A with Hungary, Spain and Ukraine.

FIBA