Two-time WNBL winner Keely Froling hopes to ride a wave of basketball momentum in Tasmania, after being unveiled as the Jewels' first major signing.

The 30-year-old medal-winning Opal moved to the island state five years ago and said it was an easy decision to join the league's latest franchise.

"This is my home now and to build a team in this community … is something that is really special," she said on Friday.

A close connection with Jewels coach Claudia Brassard was another big carrot.

Froling grew up watching Brassard in the WNBL and was a floor wiper for some of her games before playing club basketball with her later in life.

She moved to Tasmania around the time the JackJumpers entered the NBL - getting behind their championship run in just their third season.

"I've been involved in a lot of basketball on the mainland, the community support is something that is so different," Froling, who has played more than 200 WNBL games, said.

"I'll never forget my first game at MyState Bank Arena. I came in a pink top, and everyone else had a green hoodie or green jersey on.

"To see how it's grown and now that excitement for the Jewels, I'm so keen."

Froling comes from a strong basketball family - her parents Jenny and Shane played in the WNBL and NBL respectively and siblings Alicia, Sam and Harry are current players.

The Jewels are expected to announce further signings in coming weeks ahead of the season starting in October.

They already have locals Nikki Parker and Andie Smith on their books on development contracts.

The Jewels will share an under-construction high performance centre with the JackJumpers, something assistant general manager Kayla Steindl said was a big drawcard for players.

"From the get-go we had agents reaching out to us, when we didn't even have a club name or a coach," she said.

"There are definitely a lot more phone calls coming in."

Steindl said the club would aim to prioritise signing Tasmanian players.

Froling, who joins from the Sydney Flames, grew up in Townsville and won back-to-back WNBL championships with the Canberra Capitals in 2018/19 and 2019/20.

The power forward claimed bronze with the Opals at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup in 2021 and 2023.