SHE might be missing from the playing roster for the 2018-19 WNBL season, but Gabe Richards is still having a strong influence on at least one emerging Bendigo Spirit youngster.

Newcastle born and bred guard Cassidy McLean has made the move to the Spirit after two seasons with rival club Sydney Uni Flames.

The 19-year-old’s transition to life in Bendigo and with the Spirit has been made easy by becoming a guest at Richards’ home

McLean has relished the opportunity to soak up any information on her new city and club - and any other basketball hints - from the player who has represented the Spirit in more games than any other.

“She has kind of been my mum away from home … she’s been really great and a big part of making things a lot easier for me,” she said.

“I am very lucky to be learning from one of the Spirit’s best.

“I’ve found it really easy to transition from living at home with my parents, to fully living out and playing basketball full-time.

“I’m really loving Bendigo … it’s really similar to Newcastle besides the fact it has no beaches.

“The sense of community and the basketball have been great so far.”

McLean arrives with an already impressive list of credentials behind her.

A member of the world championship-winning under-17 Australian Sapphires team in 2016, a year later she won the Bob Staunton Medal for the most outstanding female player at the 2017 Under-20 National Championships, held in Bendigo.

It was her performances during that tournament which first drew her to the attention of Spirit coach Simon Pritchard.

One of her opponents during those championships was her now Spirit team-mate Kara Tessari, who has also been pivotal in helping McLean settle.

“We’re the same age, but she’s been through the (Spirit) process having been here two or three years,” McLean said.

“She’s shown me the ropes a bit.

“Nat (Hurst) is a great leader, she’s so positive and has so much knowledge and experience.

“I think I will learn a lot from everyone this year as everyone has that experience under their belt.”

Focused full-time on her basketball career, the Spirit newcomer has put her university studies in biomedical science on hold for the time-being.