Adelaide adds former US College basketballer Ben Dowdell, originally from Nowra, New South Wales, to its rookie list under the League's 'alternative talent' rule.

"After a couple of sessions with our club's development coaches Ben impressed enough for us to commit to him for season 2012," Crows football operations manager Phil Harper.

"We would like our members and supporters to understand that this is a project with someone with great athletic ability, but a very minimal football background and that patience with Ben will be a key ingredient in this project."