Chantel Horvat joins the UC Capitals

September 3, 2024 | UC Capitals news

The UC Capitals are delighted to announce Chantel Horvat as the club’s newest signing for the 2024/25 WNBL season.

The 188cm guard grew up in Geelong, Victoria but for the past 10 years has been travelling the country and the globe playing basketball.

“I recently played for Avenida and Jairis in Spain and loved my experience there,” Chantel said.

“Both clubs felt like family, and the fans’ passion was unparalleled—some of the loudest basketball games of my career. I’m looking forward to seeing if the Caps fans can outdo them this upcoming season!

Chantel said from her memories of attending Caps games as a child, the atmosphere is electric.

“I am incredibly excited to be joining the Capitals! This will be my first time playing in the WNBL, and I’m thrilled to experience it with Canberra.

“I spent three years at the CoE and often attended Caps games, looking up to many of the players. My mother is from the region, and having lived there for a few of my teenage years, Canberra feels like a second home. I can’t wait to be out of the stands and on the court in a Caps jersey!”

Chantel began her career with Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence (CoE), before moving to the USA to play college basketball with UCLA for five years. In 2022, she was selected for an LA Sparks training camp.

The 26-year-old has also been representing Australia since an early age. In 2015, she helped the Australian Gems win a bronze medal at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup and in 2023 she made her Opals debut in their bronze medal winning Asia Cup campaign.

Chantel returned to Australia in 2024, to take up an opportunity with the Melbourne Tigers in NBL1 South Conference.

“Australia is home, so it’s been lovely to spend quality time with my family and friends. I’m excited to play on home soil in front of them this season. Playing in the WNBL has always been a dream of mine, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to fulfil it as a Cap.”

UC Capitals Head Coach Paul Goriss has known Chantel since coaching her at the CoE and the a.

“I have always kept a close eye on Chantel’s career and she continues to get better every year,” Goriss said.

“Chantel is versatile, she is a high level athlete with tremendous strength and power. She a relentless rebounder and competitor, she is a hard worker and fits our team values and the way we want to play. I am very excited to secure someone of Chantel’s experience and calibre.”

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