Kelsey Griffin is carving out a pretty remarkable legacy for someone that never even considered a career in basketball could be a reality.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Soccer was her first love, then came volleyball.
Wind the clock forward and the Canberra Capitals co-captain is now a three-time Rachael Sporn Medallist as the WNBL grand final's most valuable player.
Griffin peeled off 29 points and 15 rebounds - her second double-double in as many games - to lead Canberra to a 93-73 thumping of Adelaide at a packed AIS Arena on Saturday.
And she says she couldn't have done it without her wife Erin.
"To be honest, it never gets old, but this one definitely feels different," Griffin said.
"I was very lucky to come to Bendigo at a time when they already had their core together and I was more like the icing on the cake.
"To come into a program that hasn’t had a championship in years, rebuild and bring a team together, being the first signing - that adds a bit of pressure - it was very worth it.
"I feel very lucky to do what I was able to do with this group of girls."
The best thing about Griffin's effort is she will be there to replicate it next season. The Capitals hope this is the birth of a dynasty and soon work will begin to ensure this one wasn’t a flash in the pan.
And make no mistake about it, there is a mountain of work ahead for Capitals chiefs Lucille Bailie and Carrie Graf.
Coach Paul Goriss is off-contract while free agency looms for Marianna Tolo, Leilani Mitchell, Kelly Wilson, Maddison Rocci, Lauren Scherf, Hannah Young and imports Kia Nurse and Kaili McLaren.
The only players on the books for 2019-20 are most valuable player award favourite Griffin, Keely Froling and injured rookie Kristy Wallace.
But for now, if only for a few days, they have earned the right to take the foot off the accelerator, to celebrate what was a phenomenal achievement by masterful group.
"Accolades are alright, but it’s the people you get to share them with that make them really special," Griffin said.
"I feel really lucky to have played another season with Kelly Wilson, finally get to play with Marianna Tolo, Leilani Mitchell, getting to play with her instead of against her has been great.
"You could go down the list. Keely sacrificed her starting spot for me to move over and she has been a huge part of my success. I know I can play as hard as I need to and then she would come on the floor and relieve me.
"That kind of chemistry and unselfishness is why we were able to be so successful this year."
Rachael Sporn Medal votes:
Kelsey Griffin (Canberra Capitals)- 23 votes
Kia Nurse (Canberra Capitals)- 10 votes
Leilani Mitchell (Canberra Capitals)- 6 votes
Nicole Seekamp (Adelaide Lightning)- 5 votes
Lauren Nicholson (Adelaide Lightning)- 4 votes
Kelly Wilson (Canberra Capitals)- 4 votes
Marianna Tolo (Canberra Capitals)- 1 vote
Colleen Planeta (Adelaide Lightning)- 1 vote
