Maddison Rocci forms "a big part" of Paul Goriss' ambitions for the Canberra Capitals after her name was added to a list boasting some of the WNBL's greatest.
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Rocci was crowned Canberra's most valuable player for the 2020 WNBL season which saw the Capitals bow out in the playoffs to fall shy of a third successive title.
Now the 22-year-old looms as a major part of Capitals coach Paul Goriss' plans for next season but uncertainty surrounding the fixture is set to delay contract talks.
Mikaela Ruef is the only Capital signed for next season, with Goriss keen to lock away a host of key stars and also lure Gemma Potter back after she opted to forego her UCLA scholarship.
Rocci has emerged as one of the best guards in the WNBL with Goriss "most definitely" keen to bring her back to Canberra.
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"That's the plan, but obviously we've got to wait and see what the season is going to look like," Goriss said.
"We've spoken about it and I've made it known to her that I want her back. She is a big part of the Caps team moving forward and has been for the past couple of years. Definitely want to keep her.
"The issue around all of that is we can talk and have discussions, but nobody knows right now what the league is going to look like. It might be a hub, it might be a full home and away season.
"It's hard to put dollar figures on contracts when you don't know what the season is going to look like."
Marianna Tolo claimed a double with the players player and Kellie Abrams defensive player of the year award, while rookie sensation Jade Melbourne rounded out the award winners with the Capital on the Rise gong.
The top gong was a fitting reward for Rocci after she emerged as part of Opals coach Sandy Brondello's plans for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
"She was in the best shape she could have been in coming into pre-season for WNBL," Goriss said.
"She got her body in shape, she was eating right, she worked on her body strength and conditioning wise. All of those things she did in the off-season set the platform for her to win the MVP.
"Her output offensively in scoring and leading the team was exceptional."
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
