Caps go big, land star forward Zitina Aokuso for the 25/26 WNBL season
The University of Canberra Capitals and Zitina Aokuso have reached an agreement which will have the experienced forward and rising Opal continuing her WNBL career in Canberra for the 2025/26 season.
Zitina, who last played in the WNBL for the Townsville Fire in the 23/24 season, spent the 24/25 season playing for OGM Ormanspor in Turkey where she averaged 13.1 points and 7 rebounds while converting 60% of her shots over 22 games.
The 26-year-old star was recently selected to represent Australia once again at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in July, where she will play a key frontcourt role for the Opals under the program’s Associate Head Coach (and Caps Head Coach) Paul Goriss.
“I’m super excited to be joining the Capitals and to play under Goz once again,” said Zitina.
“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, and helping the team win and make finals once again.”
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Zitina’s addition gives the Caps a much-needed interior presence to complement the team’s talented perimeter players. Goriss is thrilled to add Zitina to the roster and believes the forward’s versatile skillset will be key to the team’s success in the coming season.
“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 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.
Zitina is currently playing for the Willeton Tigers in NBL1 West where she is averaging a near triple double (21 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists per game). Her signing marks a return to Canberra, where she was one of the top prospects at the Centre of Excellence.
“I have lot of fond memories at the AIS. I had only started playing ball when I was offered a scholarship,” said Zitina.
“I’m coming back as a much more experienced, resilient, and mentally tough player. Caps fans have always been electric, and the AIS Arena is an amazing venue. I’m excited that I’m finally going to be the one the home crowd is cheering for.”