Zitina Aokuso set for Canberra
Zitina Aokuso will return to the WNBL courts next season with the Australian Opal committing to the UC Capitals for WNBL 2025/26.
Standing at 6’4”, the 26-year-old is one of Australia’s best bigs, winning two WNBL Championships with Townsville Fire in 2018 and 2023.
Aokuso has also made an impact on the international stage. She earned her first call-up to the Opals for the 2021 FIBA Women’s World Cup, helping secure a bronze medal for Australia. And she will have another opportunity to shine in green and gold, recently named in the Opals squad set to compete at this year’s FIBA Women’s World Cup in China.
Most recently, Aokuso gained valuable playing experience for OGM Ormansport in Turkey where she averaged 13.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in 22 games in her first season overseas.
Back home, Aokuso has been dominating in NBL1 West with the Willeetton Tigers averaging 21.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, eight assist and 2.7 steals across seven games – showcasing her all-around game ahead of her WNBL return.
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Having previously been coached by Capitals’ Paul Goriss in the 2021 Asia Cup, Aokuso explained how excited she is to reunite with him for the season ahead.
“I’m super excited to be joining the Capitals and to play under Goz once again,” she said.
“Coming back to the WNBL, I wanted to keep growing as a player and improving my skills and I know Goz can help me with those goals.
“I’m looking forward to providing leadership, bringing physicality and being a dominant presence on both ends of the court, helping the team win and make finals once again.”
The Caps were hunting for someone to fill the frontcourt, with coach Goriss explaining how Aokuso’s low-post scoring, athleticism and playmaking from inside the paint will fit perfectly alongside their perimeter-oriented roster thus far.
“Zitina is a gifted athlete with great IQ and basketball instincts, whose physicality and post presence will have an immediate impact for our team,” said Goriss.
“She’s a good scorer but also an excellent passer that makes her teammates better. Her playmaking ability will make for a dynamic tandem with Jade (Melbourne) in our system and I’m sure our fans will love the energy she brings.
“She’s matured a lot on and off the court, especially after spending a season in Europe, and she’ll step into a big role where there’s going to be a lot of expectations.
“Knowing Z and talking to her through this process, I believe she’ll be more than up to the challenge, and I can’t wait to coach her once again.”
Aokuso joins Monique Bobongie, Jayda Clark, Jade Melbourne and Nyadiew Puoch on the Caps’ 2025/26 roster.
Stay up-to-date with all the latest signings via the WNBL Roster Tracker here.