By Caden Helmers
Canberra Capitals' American import Jazmon Gwathmey has been through her fair share of downs, but she finds her feet each time.
She is the first in her family to do a lot of things - go to college, play professional basketball, and move overseas.
Canberra Capitals American import, Jazmon Gwathmey's tattoos on her arms representing her brother, sister, and wife. Photo Elesa KurtzCredit: Elesa Kurtz
Her tattooed arms are a reminder of her remarkable, but sometimes painful 23-year journey.
On her right arm is a tribute to her brother, who lost his life in 2007. Above that is a quote Gwathmey lives by: "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but rising every time we fall."
Then there is a lion for her sister, whose star sign is Leo.
Two elephants flanked by a jasmine flower and a rose on her right arm serves as a tribute to her wife Emya - Gwathmey married two weeks ago, and left the United States for Australia just three days later.
Safe to say it has been a whirlwind fortnight.
"It was kind of hard leaving but [Emya is] doing what she loves to do," Gwathmey said.
"She's following her career path and I'm following mine. We talk every day so it's OK."
Gwathmey hopes Emya can make her way over to watch the Capitals play live, but the expenses will make things difficult - they might have to wait until Gwathmey heads home for Christmas to see each other.
While Emya might be stuck in the United States for the Capitals' season opener, she will be keeping a keen eye on Gwathmey's debut against Dandenong on Saturday afternoon.
Gwathmey's only gripe with the nation's capital is the weather after she spent the past six months in Texas with the WNBA's San Antonio Stars.
"I'm not really used to the cold," Gwathmey said. "But other than that it's beautiful. I love the mountains. I grew up in the mountains so I definitely missed them being in Texas, so being here is just like a home away from home."
Other than that, the Virginia native has embraced everything about Australia. She even tuned into last weekend's AFL grand final with her Capitals teammates.
"I didn't really know what was going on, so I yelled when they yelled," Gwathmey laughed.
Capitals co-captain Carly Wilson was behind the decision to have Gwathmey watch the grand final and has been impressed with how the import embraced the Australian culture.
"She had no idea what was going on but she seemed to enjoy it, so that was good," Wilson said,
"There a few questions, and I think by the end she just gave up and went 'Oh OK, there's some goals, they've got to kick it through the goals and if they miss they get a point. Yep, sounds good to me.'"
As the Capitals posed for team photos at the season launch, Gwathmey was front and centre with her outlandish poses the reason for scores of laughter.
Capitals coach Paul Gorris knew he was getting "a great personality" more than anything an extensive scouting search landed Gwathmey down under.
WNBL
Saturday: Round One – Canberra Capitals v Dandenong Rangers at Tuggeranong Basketball Stadium, 3pm.