![Abby Solway is returning to the Capitals for the next season. Picture by Sitthixay Ditthavong Abby Solway is returning to the Capitals for the next season. Picture by Sitthixay Ditthavong](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/j2iwCiKfwhVWJky39Vsdpt/c2f8b1ca-7b81-4066-a0c1-2b3ad9c005cd.jpg/r0_489_5367_3506_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Canberra Capitals will add championship-winning depth to their squad for the WNBL campaign after Shakera Reilly agreed to make a comeback for the first time in three years.
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Reilly is one of two Canberra development players for the 2023-24 campaign, returning to the league after three seasons in the NBL1 East competition.
Reilly will be joined by Queanbeyan junior Abby Solway in completing Canberra's new-look roster.
"I am so happy to be back with the Caps and grateful for another opportunity with such an amazing club and team," Reilly said.
"In the time between signings, I have played two seasons in NBL1 South for Mount Gambier and returned home this year to NBL1 East.
"I am always hoping to grow and improve on and off court as both a player and person and take on all opportunities I can when they come along and am looking forward to train alongside such amazing athletes and coaching staff and learn as much as I can from them."
Canberra coach Kristen Veal has now filled her roster sports while two of her big guns - Alex Bunton and Alex Sharp - have been called into the Opals squad for a five-game tour of China.
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It marks Bunton's return to the Opals for the first time in five years while rising star Sharp will get to make her mark before arriving at the Capitals.
The team of rising stars will take the reins while established Opals are playing in Europe and the United States.
Newcastle point guard Saffron Shiels is set to become one of the youngest players in Australian Opals history after the 17-year-old joined the squad when it left on Tuesday.
Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (CoE) coach Dave Herbert believes the senior tour will be the first of many for the 188cm guard.
"It is all about Saffron gaining the experience that will set her up to hopefully, one day, play a lead role with the Opals," Herbert said.
"She will play behind a couple of the senior guards. It is a series where they are blooding some younger players. I take my hat off to the Opals coaching staff who reached out and discussed her.
"There was no hesitation from my point. I see where she is heading and what she will do in the future. What a great experience to go away and represent the Opals at that age."
Lauren Jackson was 16 when she stepped up to the Opals.
Shiels is one of three teenagers alongside fellow Australian Gems (under-19s) representatives Isla Juffermans and Nyadiew Pouch in the 12-person squad.
Shyla Heal, Alice Kunek and Anneli Maley, who were part of the Opals squad which finished third at the Asia Cup last month, will lead an outfit minus a host of WNBA regulars.
"Hopefully this will inspire Saffron and give her a taste of what it is like to be around Shyla Heal and a number of the senior national players," Herbert said.
"Being in the daily training environment and being around those players will be tremendous.
"She is still a bottom age player for the Australian under-19s and has another cycle to go.
"The experience with the Opals will no doubt set her up to lead the Gems into the 2024 Asia Cup and 2025 World Cup."
Shiels has spent the past two years in Canberra at the CoE.
![Saffron Shiels, third from left, at the under-19 World Cup. The Newcastle point guard
is part of an Australian Opals squad to play a five game series against China. Picture Getty Images Saffron Shiels, third from left, at the under-19 World Cup. The Newcastle point guard
is part of an Australian Opals squad to play a five game series against China. Picture Getty Images](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/AVQVfAtGgzehhK8J9F6uCU/b7074115-4688-4a09-a8ea-dbef8a3904b8.jpg/r241_22_2126_1293_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
After recovering from an Achilles issue, she averaged 11 points, three assists and six rebounds in the recently completed NBL1 East campaign and was part of the Australia Gems that finished ninth at the under-19 World Cup .
"She got injured [earlier in the year] and it taught her about her body," Herbert said. "She is close to bulletproof now. She did a great job with rehabbing and doing everything the right way.
"In the later part of the NBL1 season, you could see her take off. Her shot has definitely evolved. Six-to-eight months ago, she didn't shoot the ball that well. Her injury allowed her to focus and really hone those skills.
"In addition, her ability to read the game is growing all the time. She shows a maturity above her years to handle a trip with the Opals, and I'm excited for her."
Shiels has signed with WNBL club the Townsville Fire, where she will link with former Newcastle Falcons coach Shannon Seebohm.
"Once she gets back from China she is turning professional, which is a courageous step," Herbert said. "It's one the likes of Shyla Heal and Lauren Jackson have taken in the past. She has the potential to make an impact in the WNBL now."
The first of the five-game, 10-day tour is on Friday in Yulin.
Australia last played China in the FIBA Asia Cup semi-final in Sydney last month falling to the eventual gold medallist, 74-60.
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