BENDIGO (Olympics/WNBL) – Australia’s long-time national team point guard Kristi Harrower is lining up a return to Victoria to join hometown club Bendigo instead of playing again for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia.
Harrower, 33, a gold medalist at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Brazil, won her third consecutive Olympic silver medal with the Opals this summer in Beijing but was just two weeks ago told by Ekaterinburg that they had decided to release her.
“I have every intention of playing for Bendigo,” Harrower said.
“As long as Ekaterinburg release me and I get my money, it should all be okay.
“I’m not 100% sure what the terms of the release will be so I’m just waiting to hear what my agent has to say.”
Basketball Australia confirmed they had received an application letter for Harrower’s international player transfer which would see her spend her first summer in Australia in eight years.
Harrower, along with fellow Opal Penny Taylor, helped fire Ekaterinburg to a place in last season’s EuroLeague Women Final Four.
The Bendigo Spirit, who are coached by Harrower's father Bernie, play their first game of the new campaign at home against Canberra on Saturday.
“Europe has been my life for the last eight years and I’ll be disappointed not to play there again this season … I’m excited to play for Bendigo,” Harrower said.
FIBA
