The tears running down Maddison Rocci's cheek when she said goodbye to Canadian import Kia Nurse will forever be proof of just how close this Canberra Capitals squad is.
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Luckily for the Capitals, that goodbye is not forever - Rocci has followed Nurse's footsteps to re-sign with Canberra as they eye back-to-back WNBL championships.
The 20-year-old has declared she is ready to play a crucial role at point guard having signed a one-year deal after claiming the club's Capital on the Rise award in her second season.
The chance to do it alongside one of her closest friends is an added bonus.
"When I spoke to Kia and she told me she was going back to the Caps, that was probably a big influence on me wanting to go back," Rocci said.
"I became so close with her, and also learning off someone like her was really good as well. Hearing Kia had signed made me really want to go back.
"I always did want to stay at the Caps, it was just about getting the contract sorted as the right thing for me. My heart was telling me I wanted to go back to the Caps, especially after winning that championship and being with that group of girls [coach Paul Goriss] is going to put together again.
"I always did want to go back to the Caps and be back involved with everyone there."
Rocci joins championship winners Kelsey Griffin, Marianna Tolo, Kia Nurse, Keely Froling and Kristy Wallace on Canberra's books for the upcoming season.
The Capitals will give starting five players Leilani Mitchell and Kelly Wilson all the time they need to weigh up their future as the club looks to re-sign the bulk of their title-winning roster.
Wilson is within range of becoming the first WNBL player to notch up 400 games but she could hang them up following consecutive championships.
Mitchell is weighing up which club would be the best fit for her Newcastle-based family and the Capitals are desperate to lure her back to provide her trademark calming influence at point guard.
Goriss will not rush to sign any free agents in the guard spot, content to give the star duo as much time as they desire to consider their next move.
"I’m hoping I do get that opportunity to step up, play some minutes and fill an important role in the team," Rocci said.
"Last season I felt much more comfortable in the way I played and that really helped moving into this next season. I’ve had two years of experience now, so going into my third season I think I am ready.
"I feel I could compete with everyone in the league and defend hard. I’m ready to step up and take a role, and obviously help the team hopefully to another championship.
"If [Wilson and Mitchell] both come back, that’s great for us. I love playing behind them, I’ve learnt so much from them. Being in my third season and learning from them again would be really good for my development as well.
"It would be good for the Caps to have them back."
