Untapped potential: Caps bet big on upside

The UC Capitals have undergone a roster revamp during the off-season, as they attempt to return to Finals basketball.

The Caps have finished fifth in each of the past two seasons, one spot out of post-season hoops, but coach Paul Goriss is ready to get over the hump this campaign.

As part of their roster revamp, the Caps have recruited Australian Opal Amy Atwell, WNBA talent Megan McConnell, Tall Ferns' Sharne Robati and Charlotte Whittaker, New York Liberty Draft pick Manny Puoch and rising guards Caitlyn Jones and Issy Palmer to the Nation's Capital, to replace the likes of Jade Melbourne, Zitina Aokuso and Sara Blicavs.

These additions will complement the returning Nyadiew Puoch, Nicole Munger and Isa Brancatisano on the roster.

What excites coach Goriss most about his side is their overall potential, with the majority of the players' best basketball still in front of them.

"We have so much potential that's yet to be unlocked," Goriss said on The Loop.

"We saw what someone like Meg [McConnell] was able to do with Bendigo last year, and we think there is so much more potential there.

"Same thing with Manny. She's got great potential as a big in this League, who can play inside and outside, which will come as she matures and spends more time on the floor.

"Then we saw how Sharne and Charlotte finished the year with Adelaide and have played for New Zealand. We feel there is an untapped potential in both their games and we're going to give them that opportunity [to reach that]."

Two of the other players that Goriss is excited to see the growth of are established WNBL stars Nyadiew Puoch, currently shining for Portland in the WNBA, and Amy Atwell, fresh off leading the Australian Gangurrus to a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

"For someone with Nards' athleticism, size and length, which you're seeing right now in Portland, she can be a defensive anchor," Goriss said.

"She gets to mark the best opposition player, regardless of whether they are a one, two, or three, night in, night out.

"[Honestly], because of that experience she will come back with, I think she is going to be one of the best defenders in our League this season. With her and players like Meg, we should be a terror on defence.

"For her though, it's about constantly evolving her offensive game, including her three-point shot.

"She's only at the tip of the iceberg of what she can do and will be a big part of what we do at both ends of the floor.

"[While with Amy] everyone knows her scoring ability, and how good she is at that end of the floor, but I still believe there's plenty of bows she can add to her game.

"She did a better job in the last season of trying to attack downhill and get more in the paint for Perth, so we'll be working on her with that.

"But the biggest challenge for her, and we spoke about this very openly and honestly during the recruitment process, is getting it going at the defensive end of the floor.

"Playing in the 3x3 tournaments has definitely helped her in that regard, and I believe she's a massive signing coup for us."

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Looking ahead, Goriss, who is part of the Opals' coaching staff for the 2026 FIBA World Cup in Germany, is confident his team can get over the hump, especially if they stay injury-free.

"When we look back [last season] to when everyone was available, we were 6-0, but that's sport," he said.

"You can't make excuses along the way, because injuries are part of the deal, but hopefully we can maintain some kind of healthy roster and build some continuity.

"We've been close enough the last two seasons, so we're ready to challenge ourselves to break into that top four.

"But everyone's recruited well, and it's [looming] as one of the toughest competitions to date."

The Caps open their campaign on October 17 against Bendigo at AIS Arena.