The 19-year-old has been back at the Mars Minerdome about a month after wrapping up duties with Canberra Capitals in her debut Women’s National Basketball League season.

Wehrung’s captaincy will both strengthen a leadership pathway for the Harvey Norman Rush in the South East Australian Basketball League and support Rinaldi in community and team duties.

Plus, Wehrung looked forward to developing her newfound responsibility alongside the long-time captain.

“It’s awesome to be captain with Kristy and to have her support – it might be a little overwhelming to be captain (this season) on my own, and it will be great to learn from her,” she said. “It is an honour to be captain, especially at 19. 

“It’s all been really exciting since I’ve been back and training’s been really fun.”

Rinaldi, who has experience with three WNBL clubs, is in line to break the all-time Rush games record this season.

Wehrung has this summer been immersed in a team boasting some of Australia’s best players in Lauren Jackson and Abby Bishop.

Surreal at first, Wehrung enjoyed training and sharing court time with the decorated Opals.

“The season was amazing. I couldn’t have expected any more from the Capitals, they completely fulfilled my expectations,” Wehrung said.

“I learnt something new every day and every training session that really benefits me as a player.”

Wehrung is contracted to the Capitals for another two seasons.

Rush coach Peter Cunningham said time with the Capitals had added to Wehrung’s maturity and game development.

He hoped this season with Rush would offer Wehrung a chance to further develop as a future leader

Cunningham said his squad was generally quite young and it was important to keep strengthening pathways, while also taking some pressure off Rinaldi with more room to player her own game.

Rush has also named Bronte Clark, Melbourne Boomers recruit Jess May and youth league captain Claire Constable in the leadership group.

The senior Rush squad has also incorporated Rush under-18s into training sessions.

Meanwhile, the GMHBA Miners have delayed finalising their captain until after this weekend’s pre-season tournament in Geelong.