Family and reconnecting with her basketball roots - these were some of the key reasons as to why Tall Fern forward Charlotte Whittaker returned home to the mainland following several years playing offshore.
Although the 25-year-old benefitted from invaluable experience honing her craft on the court in the United States, France and Australia, the period had been a testing one - physically, mentally and emotionally.
Whittaker begins a new chapter later this week after the 6"3' forward was drafted into the Mainland Pouākai squad for the fourth edition of the Tauihi basketball league.
She explained there were multiple factors as to why she decided to come home.
"One of them was family and the identity piece of finding myself as a basketball player of where I grew up and the area that kind of made me who I am.
Charlotte Whittaker was drafted into the Mainland Pouākai squad. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
"As a player and as a person, to be able to reconnect with my roots, being able to come back and give back and contribute to the area and the basketball that provided me with so many opportunities growing up in my career has been great."
Originally from the North Canterbury settlement of Cust, Whittaker emerged as one of the region's major talents as a schoolgirl, culminating in a Junior Tall Ferns call-up during her time at Christchurch's St Andrew's College.
After receiving offers from several American colleges, Whittaker was recruited to the University of Colorado, where she would spend five years, accumulating 114 division 1 games.
She then joined French outfit Toulouse Métropole Basket, winning the second-ranked Ligue 2 title with them earlier this year.
Last year, Whittaker also played in Australia in the semi-pro NBL1 league and also made her Tall Ferns debut at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament, alongside younger sister Lauren.
While she had successfully converted from representative junior to proficient pro on the court, her life off the court had been far from rosy.
Charlotte Whittaker on the court. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
At 17, before leaving for the US, she lost her father Mark suddenly to a heart-attack in 2018.
"That was a huge turning point in my life. A lot of grief that came with it, a lot of uncertainty moving forward," she said.
"To be able to continue to have the support from family and friends to pursue my dream of going over to college six months later.
"I think that was really tough and freshman year definitely wasn't easy for me. A lot of ups and downs, a lot of battles surrounding mental health.
"He was definitely one of the ones that had supported me the most. so kind of coming back to the game afterwards was hard for a while."
At Colorado, she was diagnosed with a genetic hip disorder known as degenerative hip dysplasia, which threatened to cut her playing career short.
She was faced with the prospect of double hip replacement and an early retirement, or undergoing several major surgeries which would leave her with a "15 percent chance of returning to sport".
"That was a huge life-altering moment for me.
"I think I shocked a lot of people, including my surgeon, when I was able to play professionally again."
She underwent the knife five times, which kept her out of action during the 2021-22 season.
Whittaker admitted she still had tough days, but through sheer resilience she was coming out the other side.
"I think ever since I was young, I've been quite a determined person. I've never like the word 'no'," she said.
Having endured the ebbs and flows of life beyond the court, she was bidding to grow as a leader ahead of her first home campaign as a professional.
She was now shaping as a key figure in the front-court as the Pouākai aim for a maiden Tauihi championship.
A 'special' team-mate
Tall Ferns captain Esra McGoldrick was one of the more experienced figures among a new-look Mainland contingent.
Tall Ferns captain Esra McGoldrick. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Another product of the Waimakariri, McGoldrick and Whittaker's connection goes back to when they were youngsters.
"I've known her for quite some time," McGoldrick said.
"She's an amazing addition. I was rooting for her to come to this team from the start.
"She's such a special person on and off the court. So just being able to play with her again is so awesome.
"Charlotte's made it feel like home."
The pair were set to link up as a dynamic offensive presence for the Pouākai.
McGoldrick felt Whittaker would bring a strong physical presence in the front-court, whilst bringing some staunch leadership qualities.
The Pouākai squad was bolstered further by the acquisition of championship-winning head coach Alex Stojkovic.
Last year, Stojkovic led the Tauranga Whai to a maiden Tauihi title.
The competition tips off Friday night at Christchurch's Cowles Stadium when the Pouākai host the Southern Hoiho.
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