The chance to play in familiar surroundings for the first time in nearly six years has Chantel Horvat “incredibly excited” about the prospect of pulling on a Geelong singlet in 2023.
Horvat, who was part of the Supercats’ championship-winning SEABL roster as an 18-year-old in 2017, returned home last week from a stint in the Polish league in what was her first professional contract after five years at US College UCLA.
“It’s going to be a special year being back in this home gym (Geelong Arena),” she said.
“I’m super excited to get with the team, and it’s just going to be so fun playing in front of my family and friends and everyone here in Geelong.
After watching on as Geelong United fell to Frankston last Saturday night, the 188cm Horvat is keen to contribute in this weekend’s home-road double against Mt Gambier and Diamond Valley.
“What you always get from a loss is points to learn from,” she said.
“We have a lot to learn from (against Frankston), but we also have a lot of things that we can keep building.
“The things that we do well, and we can continue to build with our full squad.
“I’m super excited to get out there, and I think that things will start to come together when we have our full team.”
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Playing for Gorzow, Horvat averaged 12.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in 28 Polish league appearances, which included two matchups with new teammate Agnieszka Skobel’s club Poznan.
Gorzow also featured in the EuroCup, with Horvat’s ten outings yielding 12.5 points and 4.4 rebounds.
“It was incredible,” Horvat said. “I didn’t know a ton about the league but got over there and got to work, and I ended up loving it.
“I had an amazing team, great teammates, and a really good opportunity that our team was a EuroCup team.
“So, I got to travel and play in Europe and Poland.
“It was a really good starting point for my professional career.”
Geelong United coach Matthew Paton is looking forward to injecting Horvat, who had the opportunity to train with WNBA club Los Angeles Sparks in 2022, into his roster against the Pioneers and Eagles this weekend.
“She’s a long, versatile athlete,” he said. “She’s very aggressive on the glass; she can add to our ability to create second and third shot opportunities.
“She’s also a difficult matchup, in that she’s quite tall, can stretch the floor, (and) shoot the perimeter shot.
“But also a good first step and a slasher that can get to the rim.”
To see Chantel in action for the first time in 2023, click HERE for tickets.
