IT WILL be a special game day for Nat Hurst at Bendigo Stadium on Saturday.
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But the seven-time WNBL champion and 2009 grand final MVP intends approaching it with the same selfless mindset she has in her more than 250 previous games in the league – team-first.
Hurst will be recognised with WNBL life membership alongside former Spirit stars Gabe Richards and Kelly Wilson.
While the 35-year-old is undeniably proud to be receiving life membership, her primary focus remains on doing what she can to help the Spirit end their season on a high note against her former team Canberra.
“It’s obviously a great honour to be in the league that long and have that achievement,” Hurst said.
“I’m proud of myself, but hopefully we can play a good game, which is just as important for me.
“I have been lucky enough to play in some great teams and lucky to be involved in seven championships in Canberra.
“All of those are special to me.”
Hurst, whose first season with the Spirit is fast coming to an end, feels privileged to be sharing the life membership spotlight with two players who have contributed so much to the success of the Spirit organisation over its lifetime, and two individuals she has the utmost respect for.
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“Two tough players that really helped put Bendigo on the map,” the former Opals point guard said of Richards and Wilson, who together won a pair of championships in Bendigo.
“Gabe was super tough to stop; she is a great player and so smart. As a big player she can really pass the basketball and just gets things done.
“Kelly obviously runs her team immaculately, she knows exactly what she’s doing, she knows where she wants to go and then she gets things done.
“Those two girls definitely helped put Bendigo on the map.”
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After staging many epic battles against each other throughout their careers, Hurst and Wilson will again be on opposite sides on Saturday afternoon.
“We’ve played a lot of basketball against each other, we know each other’s game inside and out,” she said.
“It’s always fun to have those competitions - over the white line is on and off the white line it’s all handshakes and hugs.
“Hopefully it will be a good match on Saturday.”
Hurst, who is averaging 10.5 points, 4.05 rebounds and 3.15 assists in her 12th WNBL season, said she had relished her role this season as a mentor to the Spirit’s bevy of young guards.
“The vibe (around the group) has been great since day one and continued to be great,” she said.
“Through the wins, the losses, the hard times, the one thing we have done is stick together and we are super proud of that.”