NEWCASTLE Falcons' star import Nicole Munger has joined WNBL club the Canberra Capitals - but the blue-chip guard will not be lost to the Hunter.
Munger has replaced fellow American Dekeiya Cohen, who left Canberra this week, and if cleared will make her debut away to the Adelaide Lighting on Wednesday night.
Initially, Munger had been invited by coach Kristen Veal to train with the Capitals, who have been without Opals guard Jade Melbourne and are 0-4 to start the season.
Munger had been recommended to Veal by former Falcons coach Chloe Mullaney after the Michigan University graduate had an outstanding maiden campaign in the NBL1 East.
However, the Capitals had already filled their imports spots. That changed this week.
"When I got the opportunity to take the next step and just get to train, I was ecstatic," Munger said. "I came down here and now I'm a Cap. It's unbelievable, the girls are great, they welcomed me with open arms. It's been a whirlwind of a week.
"They've been on a tough stretch. I'll bring fresh eyes and a positive mindset. Anything I can do to help, I want to give on the court, off the court."
New Newcastle Falcons women's coach Marty McLean said Munger's opportunity at Canberra was a win-win.
"It was a case of the right place at the right time," McLean said. "Nicole has adopted Newcastle as a second home but, by the same token, has made it very clear that her goal is to play WNBL.
"That is fantastic for us because it re-enforces that the NBL1 competition is getting better and better. The plan is for her to come back to Newcastle at the end of the WNBL season. She will only get better from the experience. If she is playing WNBL, she is not leaving Australia to play in a different league.
"Not only is she a quality player, she is quality person. Hopefully we can keep unearthing more players like her and keep attracting locals to stay or come back. Newcastle has goals to be playing in the WNBL, which hopefully can be tied in with a new stadium."
Munger averaged 25 points, at 50 per cent shooting, 12 rebounds and 4.4 assists a game for the Falcons. She drained 32 points to go wth 16 rebounds and seven assists in the 75-72 loss to Manly in the play-offs.
Australian under-20s power forward Chyra Evans departed for the University of Michigan on the eve of last season's finals and won't start the NBL1 East season.
However, McLean is confident of another strong campaign, which starts in March.
"Young guns Kate Kingham and Emily Foy are returning," he said. "We are looking to fill another marquee/import role and are close to finalising another quality addition."
However, McLean ruled out the chances of his daughter and Bendigo Spirit guadrd Cassidy and fellow former Australian under-20s star Lara McSpadden suiting up for their home club.
"I would love to have Cassidy play here. She has bought some land in Bendigo and is building a house," he said. She loves the area and Bendigo are stacked.
"Lara has another year to run with Rockhampton.
