She stands just 163 centimetres tall, but point guard Natalie Hurst is a ''huge signing'' the Canberra Capitals can build their 2013-14 WNBL campaign around, according to coach Carrie Graf.
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While the Capitals remain in talks with Lauren Jackson about bringing the superstar back to Canberra next summer, Graf says that would be an unexpected ''bonus''. But Graf claimed the Capitals had already captured another ''flat-out star'' by luring Hurst back from Europe on a one-year deal.
The former Australian Opals guard is a Canberra junior and was a mainstay of the Capitals during their championship years, playing in six of the club's seven WNBL championship squads.
Now 30, Hurst left the Capitals after the 2009/10 grand final victory to play in France and Hungary.
''It's a huge signing, even though she's tiny,'' Graf said. ''She's a flat-out star player and she's a Canberra Capitals player through-and-through.
''When she left for Europe three years ago she was our starting point guard who played 40 minutes in a championship game. At the time [the] media gave Lauren Jackson the most valuable player in the grand final, but as soon as she walked off, 'Loz' virtually handed it to Nat and said 'this should be yours'.
''She'll be one of the premier point guards in the WNBL next year … it's a huge boost for us.''
A new Australian Opals coach is expected to be announced this month, with Seattle Storm WNBA coach Brian Agler, AIS coach Phil Brown and former NBL championship-winning coach Brendan Joyce all understood to have been interviewed.
The Opals coach will be based in Canberra and Graf said Hurst's move back to the WNBL could enhance her chances for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
''Obviously [veteran point guard] Kristi Harrower won't be at the next Olympics, she's hung up her Opals boots, so that's part of Nat's plans too, to make sure she's in the best place to make that team for Rio.''
The Capitals are resigned to losing MVP Brigitte Ardossi and Mikaela Dombkins to Melbourne-based clubs. The Capitals are hoping to make more announcements on recruits in the next fortnight.
While Jackson is contracted to play two of the next three seasons with the Capitals, Graf is not counting on her being in Canberra next summer.
