Preparing for a grand final and tending to a veggie garden -- life for Casey Samuels is not how she imagined just a few years ago.
It's better and she's never been happier or more proud of herself.
The 30-year-old spark for the Spirit, with her knack for a three-ball, trademark toughness and competitiveness, has overhauled her life and taken accountability for the past.
Happiness, on and off the court, has been a journey, and taken a lot of inner work, for the NSW-bred forward who three years ago was out of the league.
A journey woman of sorts and 2012 AIS graduate, Samuels had played for the UC Capitals, Sydney and Townsville, and taken breaks from the league, before she landed back in the nation's capital in 2021.
Despite her age and experience, she was contracted as a development player in February 2022, but that contract was terminated by the Caps after an incident in Queensland during the FIBA break.
Samuels was charged with failing to leave a licenced premises and committing public nuisance. All charges were later dropped.
It was a wake-up call for Samuels, who was combating mental health and personal issues with poor lifestyle decisions.
"It was a situation I thought I was handling and then I wasn't. It was just one of those things where it just snapped and you wake up to yourself and think 'What am I doing?'
"Doing the little things, day-by-day, figuring out what I really wanted, what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. It took a lot of reflection, a lot of learning about myself, going over to Malta (in 2022) was a big one and learning to be by myself overseas. I learned a lot about myself and the things that you need and don't need in life.
"I'm living a much better lifestyle and I'm really proud of myself. I've come a long way. It sucks that it had to be because of something, but it happened and you have to learn from the things you do and move forward."
Bendigo coach Kennedy Kereama, an assistant coach during Samuels' last stint in Canberra, was in WA scouting and saw Samuels and American Mehryn Kraker play for Rockingham in NBL1.
He would sign the pair, paving Samuels' return to the WNBL.
In her second year with the Spirit this season, she has produced career-best basketball after dominating NBL1 Central in the off-season, winning both the Halls Medal (women's MVP) and the championship for Central Districts.
Off court, she has found love and stability with local Tim Wicks and happiness living in regional Victoria.
"Completely different and so much better," Samuels, reflecting on life then and now, said.
"I'm in a relationship that's obviously making me really happy and then just changing the people that I've been hanging out with for a better lifestyle that I want to live for myself.
"Kelsey Griffin and I were talking recently and she was like 'Casey, did you ever think this would be your life - talking about your veggie garden?!' I said: 'No, I didn't but I'm happy that I am!'
"The satisfaction of picking a tomato from your own garden is very high!
"I'm really enjoying the small things and then all of that stuff has been contributing on the court playing my best basketball, playing with confidence and a great group of girls, I couldn't ask for anything more."
Now preparing to start a concrete and asphalting business, Samuels' feet really are set in Bendigo.
It's something that brings much joy to her former teammate and best friend, Kraker.
When ESPN spoke to Kraker she was working in a café in Sweden, where she's currently playing, creating a finals graphic for Samuels as part of her job for player agency 2x inc.
"Casey's an incredible human she has tackled everything head on and that's what I admire about her the most. She's very open and rational about what's happened, taken accountability, done the work and is reaping the rewards. I think it makes her deserving of everything," she said.
"She's not taken an easy route, any short cuts and I don't think many people would choose to face it head on.
"It's easy to cheer for people who go about things the right way."
Samuels says she was scared to take on the opportunity at Bendigo but Kereama filled her with belief she could do it and was good enough. Now, she's riding a wave of confidence and form.
"Coming into last season, I was taking it day-by-day trying to see where I fitted in and where Kennedy saw me fit me into the team," she recalls.
"This season, Kelsey got injured the week of Round 1, which then allowed me to step into her role and to start the season they way we did (9 game winning streak) was really incredible,
"And then for Kelsey to come back and me to come off the bench in a similar role, but a little bit different again, I'm really happy with how I handled that because sometimes it can be really hard with a role change midway through a season. I've just wanted to continue doing whatever I can for the team the best I can."
Kereama is full of praise, and pride, for Samuels producing what he knew she was capable of.
"Casey's a real key to us being able to go and win a championship," he said.
"It's a great comeback story. She has a lot of resolve and I think there's definitely more in the tank, she can grow and get even better."
But for now, starting in Game 1 in Bendigo on Wednesday night, Samuels and the Spirit have a crack at the WNBL's ultimate prize.
"The process the whole last couple of years has been it would really cement everything," she says.
"I'd be really proud of myself and the group I'm doing it with. It's all been a journey to get to this point, something we've all worked for so hard day in, day out.
"It would just be amazing."
With a solid foundation, some nourishing soil and dedication, Samuels, like her tomatoes, are flourishing.