Leg one of the Women's Basketball League gets under way in earnest on Friday in Auckland and Otago's prospects have received an enormous boost with Harmon's arrival.
She is one of New Zealand's most celebrated players. A graduate of the Stanford University programme, Harmon played five years of professional basketball in Italy before joining the Townsville Fire for the 2014-15 Australian season.
The 27-year-old forward linked up with fellow Tall Ferns Micaela Cocks at the Fire and the pair helped the franchise secure its first title.
Goldrush coach Todd Marshall was thrilled to have secured Harmon's services for the season.
''We are really happy to get someone of Jillian's experience,'' Marshall said.
''She is a quality international player ... and has the size and the athleticism to play in a variety of areas.''
Basketball Otago's deep financial concerns have left the organisation battling to avoid liquidation.
But the Goldrush has quietly continued on in the background hoping it will be able to compete in the league this year.
''We've been training for the last six weeks and going along as if we were going to get there. And we are going to get to the tournament.
''It is only because of them [Oceana Gold] that we are able to compete. They have been fantastic.''
The WBC has expanded from nine to 12 this year with the Taranaki Thunder, Tauranga City Coasters and Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix joining the league.
Former Basketball Otago director of development Rachel Gwerder is coaching the Coasters.
The WBC has a slightly different format this year with some games being played outside the three tournament weekends.
Otago is expected to host Canterbury between the opening tournament, which starts on Friday, and the second tournament beginning in Christchurch on May 15.
Most of the faces in the Goldrush squad will be familiar.
However, dual cricket and basketball international Suzie Bates is not part of the squad.
Her cricket commitments have ruled her out for now but the talented athlete has found it tough to stay off the court in the past, so watch this space.
Small forward Danielle Frost (nee Calnan) is skipping the season while she starts a family, and forward Kelly Groot has been sidelined while she recovers from a shoulder operation.
Women's Basketball Champ draw
Tournament 1: April 17-19 at the Allan Brewster Leisure Centre, Papatoetoe.
Tournament 2: May 15-17 at Cowles Stadium, Aranui and Middleton Grange School, Riccarton, Christchurch.
Tournament 3: June 4-6 at the Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua.
Goldrush squad: Grace Allan, Claudia Flaws, Amiria Koopu, Grace Love, Janet Main (captain), Aleisha Ruske, Nicole Ruske, Natalie Smith, Anita Snowdon, Soraya Umaga-Jensen, Amy Waqawai, Jacqueline Lodge, Bronwyn Kjestrup, Stacey Hickford, Olivia O'Neill, Jillian Harmon.
