Keneally (pictured) is the current MP for Heffron in the New South Wales Parliament but will resign from politics to take up her new position.

The move sees Keneally vacate her role as chairperson of Basketball Australia to concentrate fully on her responsibility as chief executive.

"I loved working with Basketball Australia during my time as chair," said the 43-year-old, who was born in Las Vegas in the United States.

"We achieved a lot in a short space of time, including a new and improved National Basketball League television deal with Network Ten.

"Now, with the Olympics and Paralympics ahead of us, our teams are set to strut on the world stage."

She added: "Basketball in Australia has a solid success story to tell.

"We're ranked as one of the top-five basketball playing nations in the world and our success at international level is something other Australian codes can only dream about.

"Beyond this year's Olympics, our vision is to capitalise on that success in a big way – to put Australian basketball front and centre on our shores."

Keneally has a strong sporting background as she is a director of Souths Cares, the charitable arm of the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league club as well as an advisory board member of the Sydney Sixers Twenty20 cricket franchise.

Justin Milne, who chaired the search committee for the Basketball Australia chief executive, said he was delighted to have secured the services of Keneally.

"The board felt Kristina presented a complete package to Basketball Australia," he said.

"She demonstrated leadership skills, strong understanding of community, government and the private sector, and excellent communication abilities.

"Her national profile, combined with her energy and her passion for the sport, will give basketball a significant boost in Australia."

Keneally's appointment marks a major change in leadership at Basketball Australia with the organisation also looking for new chairperson.

Milne has assumed the role on an interim basis but will step down once a successor is appointed.

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