It would be an understatement to say Jillian Harmon helped the Goldrush win a national title.
In truth, it is unlikely the side would be celebrating if it was not for the Tall Ferns forward signing on before the competition tipped off in April.
Harmon (27) was named the competition's MVP after finishing with yet another double double in the Goldrush's 67 43 win over the Auckland-Counties Manukau Lady Hawks in the final on Saturday night.
The Stanford University graduate finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and an assist, a typically rounded performance.
''It was awesome,'' she said.
''It was so fun to win it with such a good group. I feel lucky to have been brought into such a close group. They welcomed me with open arms and I think it was really helpful on the court that we all got along.''
Harmon, who is shortly off to Italy to play in the women's first division competition, only signed with the Goldrush because her partner, Todd Blanchfield, signed for the Southland Sharks in the NBL this season.
She has comfortably been the best player in the competition in her debut season, helping the Goldrush win 14 of its 15 games.
While it is difficult to pick out one of Harmon's performances as a standout, the game against the Nelson Sparks in Christchurch last month, when she racked up 23 rebounds, would be a contender.
She averaged 14.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game during the campaign, and provided the Goldrush with veteran leadership and an inside presence. It is the second national title Harmon has won this year, having also helped the Townsville Fire win the 2014-15 Australian WNBL.
''It was fun to play in what's usually my off season,'' Harmon said.
''I'm most happy with how much the other girls improved. I got to hopefully share some of my knowledge with them, and those girls played awesome tonight and this whole tournament.
''We got better each tournament. The first tournament we were all getting to know each other and then I thought we got progressively better as the year went on.''
