The Canberra Capitals have launched a scholarship to support indigenous basketballers and hope the WNBL embraces their move to embrace Aboriginal history.
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The Capitals and the Sydney Flames will wear indigenous jerseys when they meet at the AIS Arena on Saturday afternoon.
It's the second time the Capitals have worn an indigenous playing strip and this year's edition will raise funds for a newly created program to support rising basketballers.
The Capitals have joined forces with Basketball ACT and the money raised from the sale of replica jerseys and $1 from every ticket this weekend will be used to remove the sport's cost barrier for young players.
Canberra-born NBA player Patty Mills called on Basketball Australia to recognise the sport's indigenous history last year.
The Capitals designed an indigenous jersey for the first time in their history last season and the Illawarra Hawks did the same.
The Capitals raised $6510 during their indigenous round last season and donated the money to the Aboriginal Youth Centre, Gugan Gulwan.
"We hope that we can help some young indigenous basketballers stay in the game," Graf said.
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"There's been discussions at the WNBL commission level about doing a league-wide indigenous round.
"I think we'll see that in the future. Townsville has worn a strip before, Sydney has done it and we did it last year with our inaugural round and strip.
"I wouldn't be surprised if not next year, the year after, to see it league-wide in the WNBL to have an indigenous round for every club backed by the league.
"Often when kids make a state or representative teams, the costs can be prohibitive. We feel through this scholarship, we can help."
The Capitals have been nominated as the team of the year at the Canberra sports awards, competing with NRL grand finalists the Canberra Raiders and Super Rugby semi-finalists the ACT Brumbies.
The Capitals won their eighth championship last season, ending an almost decade drought since their previous title.
They need to beat the Flames this weekend to get their season back on track after losses to the Melbourne Boomers and Sydney last week.
Mikaela Ruef is still waiting for immigration paperwork before she is free to play, testing the Capitals' depth after off-season injuries to Marianna Tolo and Kelsey Griffin.
"We've got to find rhythm within our group," said coach Paul Goriss.
"When we got down [last weekend] individuals tried to put the team on their back. Not from a selfish perspective ... but in those situations we just have to keep moving the ball."
WNBL ROUND FOUR
Saturday: Canberra Capitals v Sydney Flames at AIS Arena, 5pm