Former Capital Gemma Potter unites with college athletes in US lawsuit

Potter was expected to start her college career with UCLA in June but like other international freshmen, her certification forms have been deferred.

Under current restrictions, newly enrolled students are not allowed to enter or remain in the country if their school was holding classes online only.

Student athletes from UCLA and Loyola Marymount are reportedly united in a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with a hope to gain entry into the US and join their respective teams.

Potter is stuck in basketball limbo because she can't enter the country, nor play in the WNBL due to college rules for amateur athletes.

The 18-year-old guard is in Townsville with the Capitals, with co-captain Kelsey Griffin saying it's important to support her mental health through this period.

"We want to be able to support our young players regardless of their aspirations, whether it's to play with the Capitals, whether it's to go to college and what she wants to do," Griffin said.

"She was in need. Just being around us was something that could help her out and it was an easy decision.

"I think it helps Jade [Melbourne] is one of her best mates, so they're able to experience this together.

"I think that shows the kind of club Canberra is and what they're able, that they want to support people regardless of whether they can impact on the court or not. They see it's bigger than basketball, I think that was shown bringing Gemma up here."

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The Capitals will meet the Perth Lynx at Townsville Stadium on Thursday night, but will likely be without injured point-guard Tahlia Tupaea.

She went down midway through the third quarter of Canberra's 84-71 loss to the Townsville Fire on Sunday, clutching her previously-injured left shoulder.

"I think she's doing well, all things considered. We're still waiting to see how it pulls up and like all injuries, only time will tell," Griffin said.

"The most important thing with [Tahlia] is looking after her health and so whatever the doctors and physios decide is with her best interest in mind.

"She's so young and talented that you have to think about her longevity as well.

"We want her on court as soon as possible, obviously for us strategically, but just wanting to look after both her mental and physical health - that she's in the best position she can be. Only time will tell."

Canberra are enjoying a four-day break between matches, with Paul Goriss' side preparing to close out their regular season with two crucial clashes this weekend.

The Capitals are fighting to finish in the league's top two and gain a second chance in next week's finals series.

The Southside Flyers, who Canberra meet on Sunday, lead the competition with nine wins and two losses, while the Melbourne Boomers sit third behind the Capitals on points difference.

Griffin said their Townsville loss was timely with finals around the corner, with the Capitals looking to respond and prepare better this week.

"I think it's going through that game with a fine tooth-comb and finding areas we can improve. It was a timely loss in the sense of finals being around the corner and things we can do better to prepare for teams, especially Townsville looks like one of the teams in it," Griffin said

"[Perth] will be a really good match up for us to really lock into our scout and defensive focus, and try to take away what they want to do.

"When we look at who we're preparing for and how we played against Perth last time, we were lucky to get away with a win really.

"I keep telling the girls this season is about improvement. We need to keep getting better day in and day out - at the end of the day we'll live with the result as long as we're able to do that."

WNBL Round five: Perth Lynx v Canberra Capitals at Townsville Stadium, Friday 7pm.