UMMC Ekaterinburg have finally confirmed they have parted with Kristi Harrower and replaced her at point guard with Cappie Pondexter.

Harrower helped Ekaterinburg reach the EuroLeague Final Four but the club wanted to make a change at the position and have lured Pondexter, an all-star at Fenerbahce the past two seasons, to Russia.

Pondexter, whose American team beat world champions Australia and Harrower in the Olympic final in China, averaged 22.1 points, 3.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds for Fenerbahce in the 2007-08 EuroLeague Women.

Laurent Buffard's team has also brought in former Russia superstar Elena Baranova and Natalya Vedlya.

The 36-year-old Baranova played for Spanish champions Ros Casares last season and averaged 7.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in the EuroLeague Women.

Power forward Vedlya, 27, was on the books of Dynamo Kursk. In the EuroCup Women, she poured in 15.4 points per contest while also corralling an average of 6.9 rebounds.

Buffard has also used his connections in France by bringing over a new physical coach, Sabine Juras, who worked at his old club Valenciennes.

Ekaterinburg general manager Maxim Ryabkov has also confirmed that his club will bid to host the EuroLeague Final Four should they book a  trip to the showpiece event for the second year running.

The club will also attempt to host the Russian Cup Final Eight.