Three-time WNBL champion Kelsey Griffin is hopeful her third operation in less than a year will finally break her injury curse, adamant the latest setback won't end her career.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Canberra Capitals star Griffin revealed a remarkable late addition to her fairytale season, which included a grand final triumph, being named the grand final most valuable player, the WNBL most valuable player and winning the Capitals' top award.
The 31-year-old played through the pain of a broken plantar plate - an injury at the base of the toe joint - to help lift the Capitals to their first WNBL title in almost a decade earlier this year.
But it has come at a cost, with Griffin being forced to miss Australian Opals training camps and WNBA duties with the Minnesota Lynx this season after having surgery three weeks ago.
Griffin had ankle and hamstring operations last year before making her debut for the Capitals and will be unable to fully train until at least August after having foot surgery.
"I really thought that my ankle surgery this time last year would be my last [operation], then I thought my hamstring would be my last," Griffin said.
"I'm hoping this is the last. If it isn't, I've had a really great career and I've been really lucky to have played the season I have with the Caps.
"The goal is to be ready by August. My understanding is the [plantar plate injury] isn't common in basketball, it was more of a freak accident.
"If it's career ending, it's career ending. But I don't think it's heading that way. I do think about that a lot, but it won't be because of an injury."
Minnesota have put Griffin on a suspended player list, meaning they can add her to the roster if she recovers quicker than the original timeframe.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
"They've been awesome through this whole process. I was expecting them to waive me, but they suspended me. They've got every intention of bringing me over this season if I can get right.
"But they're also aware I want to rehab properly, so it might be next year. I think that will be a decision [wife] Erin and I will have to make when it comes the right time."
Capitals coach Paul Goriss is working in the off-season to fill the rest of his roster, with Griffin and Marianna Tolo to lead the side again next season.
Championship-winners Kia Nurse and Maddison Rocci will return, while Kristy Wallace will make her return from a knee reconstruction in November. Lauren Scherf (Sydney) and Kelly Wilson (Bendigo) will not return to Canberra.
Meanwhile, the Capitals donated more than $6000 to the Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation after auctioning the club's inaugural indigenous jerseys last season.
"We appreciate this money that has been raised, this will be raised to assist our families and our young people out there in the community," said executive director Kim Davison.
"All of this money will be spread across our programs so we can give more opportunities to our kids out in the communities."
Canberra basketballer Patty Mills is pushing for the sport to show greater recognition to indigenous Australians, backing a vision for indigenous rounds in the WNBL and NBL similar to those in rugby league and Australian football.
"To see the Capitals out there in their indigenous jersey, I just thought it was a fantastic concept and it was well received by the whole community," Davison said.
The Capitals are planning to make their indigenous singlet part an annual event from now on.
