The Canberra Capitals hope recruiting two-time Olympian Rachel Jarry will be the first domino to fall into place as they ramp up negotiations to build a WNBL squad.
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Jarry was unveiled on Thursday as Canberra's marquee player for the 2017-18 season and her experience will help fill the holes left by departed inspirational duo Marianna Tolo (Europe) and Carly Wilson (retired).
But she is one of only two players who have Capitals contracts for next season and coach Paul Goriss is working to finalise several deals in the coming weeks.
It is hoped a chunk of the Capitals' roster, which fell agonisingly short of a finals berth last season, will return but Goriss is also set to add new faces to join Jarry.
The WNBL is still negotiating minium wage for players, which will get basketballer closer to pay deals for women's AFL and cricket, but it could delay the signing process.
Abbey Wehrung and Lauren Mansfield were key role players in the Capitals' on-court revival last season and could return for another campaign.
Replacing the Europe-bound Tolo looms as the toughest task but Jarry's arrival is the first step to the club's bid to end its finals drought.
"Rachel is a great signing for us and she was one of the first priorities we set in our recruiting list," Goriss said.
"She is a WNBA and WNBL championship winner and has been with the Opals to two Olympic campaigns.
"She will give us great leadership, toughness and competitiveness. Getting Rachel will really help us recruit other players into the program.
"Losing Tolo and Carly, we needed some leadership and experience and Rachel fills those areas for us."
Jarry made her Olympic debut when she was just 21 and has established herself as an international star.
The small forward has just finished a season in France and will fly to the United States in the coming days to resume her WNBA career with the Atlanta Dream.
The 25-year-old has set her sights on keeping her Opals spot for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo after Sandy Brondello was named as the new Australian coach earlier this week.
But she also has a burning ambition to lead the Capitals back into championship contention despite being one of the club's biggest rivals when she started her career.
Jarry viewed Canberra as the enemy when she suffered grand final heartbreak against the Capitals in 2009-10 while playing for the Bulleen Boomers.
"I never thought I would play for Canberra, especially after they beat Bulleen in the grand final. I still remember that day," Jarry said.
"I'm excited to be here but it's definitely not what I thought would happen all of those years ago.
"Next year is a big year for the Opals [with the world championships and Commonwealth Games], so hopefully I can work on my game [in Canberra].
"All teams are scrambling to recruit [WNBL] players so hopefully me coming on board helps convince a few others to come on as well."
