Natalie Hurst was living 20 kilometres from the Syrian border when her life priorities changed forever.
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The seven-time WNBL champion considered walking away from a deal to play in Turkey after a terrorist attack at Ataturk airport last year.
But it was the eight months she spent away from partner Tara that convinced her it was time to put family before her career.
That's why it was so easy for Hurst to sign a deal to reunite with the Canberra Capitals just days before the birth of their first child.
"It's not about me any more. It's family first and basketball second," Hurst said.
"I'm lucky I can do both of those at home in Canberra rather than packing my bag and heading overseas.
"I was away for so long after my partner and I got married overseas. It was tough being away for eight months, and even without the baby I would have considered staying this time.
"My priorities have changed and I wanted to be somewhere else. I want basketball and a family. My partner supported me with my career, now it's time to give back."
The Capitals landed Hurst as a recruit on Friday after striking a deal for the 34-year-old to reignite her WNBL career.
She is the only player to have been involved in all seven of the Capitals' championship years after making her debut as a teenager, and will have a massive role in ushering in a new generation.
Hurst was so intently focused on basketball for most of her almost 20-year career. But her life is about to take a new turn as she awaits the arrival of a baby boy next week.
It has put basketball and life in perspective for Hurst as she begins a new journey and aims to help rebuild the Capitals to a title powerhouse.
"This is the club I played for as a junior and I can come back here, I get the best of both worlds now," Hurst said.
"There is still pressure in basketball and there are obviously things I want to achieve. But it's not about me, it's about my little family and what's best for both.
"I want to put more time into my family ... being a mum is something I've wanted for so long. To me, it's still not real. But it will set in when I hold him and I cannot wait until he's born."
Point guard Hurst has played 228 games in the WNBL and was a grand final most valuable player before testing herself in France and Turkey.
She will give the Capitals experience and scoring power after the departure of Marianna Tolo, Carly Wilson, Lauren Mansfield and Mikaela Ruef.
Tolo has signed a deal to play for Abdullah Gul Universitesi Spor Kulubu in Turkey next season.
Canberra coach Paul Goriss has recruited Hurst, Lauren Scherf, Rachel Jarry and Jordan Hooper, as well as re-signing Kate Gaze and Abbey Wehrung.
Goriss hopes to add the final three players to his roster in the coming weeks, including the potential of landing another Canberra junior to return home.
"Getting Nat is one of the biggest gets as far as the Capitals go," Goriss said.
"She brings leadership and a winning attitude. You can't replicate her experience, for her to come back into the group is a huge coup for us."
Hurst played for the Capitals in the 2013-14 season before returning to Europe.
But the Capitals missed the finals for the first time in Hurst's time at the club and she's determined to end a six-season play-off drought.
"I've been lucky enough to have been a part of seven championships, but when I came back it didn't feel like the old Caps and it wasn't a good feeling," Hurst said.
"Watching how they've turned the club around ... it's definitely heading in the right direction and I want to be a part of it."
