Alicia Froling was denied the chance to step out for her new club when COVID-19 halted the 2020 NBL1 South season.
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But the star player is back for more after recommitting to Ballarat Rush for next year.
Froling had previously signed with the Rush ahead of the 2020 campaign and despite the season being cancelled, has continued to work closely with Basketball Ballarat throughout the lockdown periods by providing support to the junior and community programs virtually from her home town of Townsville.
Froling will provide significant experience to the Rush in 2021 having represented Australia at both under-17 and under-19 level, as well as at the World University Games when the team won gold in 2019.
"I loved the short time I spent at the program this past season and am excited to get on the court and play for Ballarat," she said.
"Both Eric (Hayes) and Megan (Collins) are great coaches and better people so I can't wait to finally get to play for them."
Froling played for Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas from 2014 to 2019 before returning to Australia and signing with the Bendigo Spirit for the 2019-20 WNBL campaign. Due to injury, Froling was unable to play throughout the season. However, she will return this summer for Bendigo leading into her first season in the NBL1 South.
Elite teams committee member Lynly Doherty was looking forward to having Froling return for the 2021 season.
"The 2020 Selkirk Ballarat Rush team was one of the most exciting groups the coaches had put together in a while but unfortunately given the cancellation of the season, we didn't get to see them take to the court," she said.
"Our priority has been to reach out to those players and we are thrilled Alicia has again committed to pulling on the Rush jersey.
"Alicia brings experience, maturity and leadership to the team and while her time here was cut short at the start of the year, she embraced the Ballarat Basketball community."