Hamblin

To say the better part of the last two years have been a whirlwind for Ruth Hamblin would probably be an understatement.

So it should come as no surprise that Hamblin is relishing some downtime back home in Houston, British Columbia, enjoying the occasional snow and time on the family farm.

Having been on the go for the better part of the last 22 months thanks to basketball, the former Oregon State star admitted it felt a bit strange to actually unpack her suitcase in her old room and have some time to hang out with friends and family.

She is definitely relishing the opportunity.

“It’s a special time I have right now to have almost a month at home and just be with family and be the farm kid Ruth I spent 18 years being,” Hamblin said in a recent phone interview.

She hopes the months that follow will be just as special.

That is when she will begin the quest to carve out a role with the Canadian national team as it begins preparations to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

To do that, however, Hamblin had to make the difficult decision to not return this summer to the WNBA’s Dallas Wings, who selected Hamblin 18th overall in the draft last April.

“This is my shot to go train with them this whole summer and establish a role on the team and hopefully be able to go to the Olympics,” Hamblin said.

“For me, at the end of the day, my main goal with basketball is to be an Olympian so that decision trumped how awesome the WNBA is, at least for this summer. Hopefully I can go back next summer and continue to play with them.”

She was not sure how that decision would go over with the Wings, who Hamblin said have been supportive.

“Obviously they want their players to be playing for them but the GM was really supportive because they understand that the Olympics are my main goal, so this is what I needed to do this summer to help myself achieve that goal. They were fully behind it.”

Hamblin will report to Canada’s training camp May 12 then play in exhibition tournaments in France and Spain. After about a week break, the team will have a second training camp in preparation for more exhibition games in China. Then comes a final training camp in August prior to heading to Argentina for the FIBA AmeriCup. Canada is in a group with Argentina, Venezuela and the Virgin Islands, and the winner of the group qualifies for the world championships in 2018.

Hamblin spent last summer with the Wings. She played in 20 games, averaging 1.5 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per contest. She scored 1.1 points per outing with a .714 free-throw percentage in limited action.

“Just incredible to have the privilege of playing with the best players in the world in that league,” Hamblin said. “You almost take a step back every so often and say, ‘Wow, I’m playing against Diana Taurasi right now or Candice Parker,’ all these names that you grew up with just watching and hearing their names so it’s just crazy to play alongside them.

“It was a great experience. Obviously we struggled as a team a bit but you grow a lot through that, kind of like freshman year at OSU almost. Just worked hard every day to improve my game.”

Then it was off to Australia to play for the Perth Lynx of the Women’s National Basketball League, where Hamblin was able to gain some valuable playing time — while also enjoying living so close to some of the best beaches in the world and some nice cafes to get coffee.

“I’m at the point of my career where just getting on the court is so important and getting those minutes and experience and getting through that,” Hamblin said. “So getting over there and being able to earn a spot in the starting lineup was awesome and then just getting minutes and experience. And I learned so much getting a chance to play among these other professionals and people who have been playing the game so long and know it so well.”

Hamblin hopes some of those lessons, like learning to play with more poise, reading defenses to make opposing players react to her and being more patient, pay off during training camp for Team Canada.

Regardless of what happens there, Hamblin wants to play overseas again next winter and return to the Wings and the WNBA after that.

“Australia is on the radar and I would love to go back there if the opportunity presents itself, but we’ll have to see,” she said.

Sounds like Hamblin is in for yet another whirlwind journey.