As many Clubs in the Big V are finding out, the search for a quality import or local post player can be a long and fruitless one. But for Hawks Coach Tim Mottin begs to differ, occasionally they just turn up on your door step like the teams latest recruit, Tori Jarosz.

Standing nearly 6’3 and boasting a Basketball resume that few can match, Jarosz finished a stint in Lithuania and decided to travel with Hawks newest signing Sydney Coffey to Australia for a holiday and no real expectations of playing. “When Sydney asked if it was Ok to bring a friend along for a holiday, I had no idea it was one of her former teammates from Marist College.” Mottin said. “At the airport when they arrived I was shocked to see Tori, who I found out pretty quickly was one of Marist all-time greatest players.”

Jarosz, who hails from New York, had a great high school career and was recruited to Vanderbilt University in 2010. After a frustrating freshman season at Vandy, Jarosz decided that she would be better suited to a School closer to home and transferred to Marist. This is where she met Coffey, and formed one of the deadliest duos in School history.

Injuries early on in her time at Marist kept Jarosz on the sidelines but in her junior season, the talent finally shone through as Jarosz averaged 17ppg and 10 rebounds. In her senior year, she continued to improve bumping up her averages to 19ppg and nearly a remarkable 12 rebounds per game. While she won a host of individual awards including All American selection and Player of the year, Jarosz most impressive achievement is that she led the Country in double doubles (10 plus point and 10 plus rebounds).

After College, the WNBA came calling and Jarosz spent 5 weeks with the Dallas Wings before being the final cut for the 2016 season. Not one to dwell on disappointment, she quickly packed her bags for stints in Puerto Rico and Lithuania before walking through the large doors at Melbourne airport. “I heard you had the most beautiful beaches in the World down here.” Jarosz said. “And there are Kangaroos, Koala’s and all kinds of wildlife that I wanted to see for myself.”

It did not take a very excited Tim Mottin long to sit Jarosz down for a serious chat about perhaps staying a little longer that she had planned. It was just three days after her arrival, Jarosz signed on as the Hawks final restricted player for 2017.

“I am so happy to be able to stay and play at the Hawks.” “They have a great youth program, it’s a family-like environment and everyone has been so welcoming.” Jarosz and Coffey have started their pre-season and will hit the court in some pre-season games in Mid February before the regular season starts on March 18th.