The Canberra Capitals say they are making a long-term investment in a player they believe can be a future Australian Opal after recruiting Gemma Potter to their roster.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Capitals coach Paul Goriss is pleased he has secured the talented Victorian for the 2019-20 WNBL season.
"She's been targeted as a future Opal," Goriss said.
"That's not just coming from within our organisation, but all the coaches she's had tipped that she will be an Opal in the future. We see her as part of our program moving forward."
"... Gemma is definitely in that calibre of players that she can be WNBL quality and can step in straight away to play minutes for us.
"When we recruit here we want to pick the girls at the top of the tree who we think are going to be future Opals.
"But it's also about the future and we want to build that here in Canberra to sustain our longevity and competitiveness in the league."
Goriss praised Potter's ability and believes the talented guard-forward will fit into a side chase back to back championships.
"She's got great speed and athleticism and that's something we like in our game and is how we want to play at the Capitals," Goriss said.
"She can also shoot the ball very well."
The 17-year-old moved from Melbourne to Canberra to join the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence program at the AIS last year.
The decision has paid off for 182 centimetre Potter, signing a WNBL contract just 18 months after the audacious move.
"Playing in the WNBL has always been a dream of mine," Potter said.
"Getting the opportunity to stay in Canberra and play against some of the best girls in the country is amazing."
The teenager is completing her final year of school at Lake Ginninderra and will move into accommodation at the University of Canberra at the end of the year.
Potter is hoping to build up her experience on and off the court in Canberra after turning down a chance to move back to Melbourne.
"I had interest from another WNBL team in Melbourne, so I had to pick between those two," Potter said.
"There's a bit of pressure but I'm always up for a challenge and want to get another championship [for Canberra]."
Although, Potter has her sights set on higher honours, considering a possible move to the US to take up a college basketball position.
"This is the first step. I'll finish off this season and then maybe decide to go to a US College. Otherwise I'll just stay here," Potter said.
Potter displays an impressive national portfolio, winning a bronze and silver medal respectively during the under-17 and under-19 the world championships.
Goriss is no stranger to the expertise that Potter possesses.
"I have been tracking her progress and development for about two years," Goriss said.
"I've seen her performances at the under-18 National Championships representing Victoria and throughout her NBL1 games with the Centre of Excellence this year."
Goriss has all but finalised his Capitals' playing roster prior to pre-season commencing this week and has confidence his side can win back-to-back titles.
"I think we're a top four team and as long as you make the top four you're in with a chance of winning a championship and defending it," Goriss said.
"We've got the hallmarks and the traits of being another championship team. We've just got to come together and mix those pieces around some new girls coming in."
