The 19-year-old spent the last two years at the Australian Institute of Sport and gained international experience as captain of the Australian Gems, who came fifth at the 2009 junior World Championships in Thailand.

Cumming, who joined the Rangers as a 12 year old, said winning the MVP was a way of repaying the club.

" I got all my [junior] coaching at Dandenong and it's how I became the player I am today. To be able to come back and play for the club at senior level is a way for me to repay them for all the time and effort they put into my development. I've always called Dandenong home.

"A home town girl winning the award was a great thrill for me. The MVP came a bit quicker that I expected. I thought I was still a few years away in my development from winning something like that."

It was a tough homecoming for Cumming, who was forced to play in the unfamiliar role of point guard because of injuries in the team. She averaged 11 points and matched it with the best guards in the competition.

Cumming's goal is to wear the green and gold of the Australian Opals. She will pick up some handy hints watching the likes of Lauren Jackson training at the Dandenong stadium as the Opals prepare to defend their world title in the Czech Republic in September and train for the 2012 London Olympics.

"Just watching them train will be an experience. Lauren Jackson is the best player in the world. She must have worked so hard to get where she is and has set the bar so high for us to follow. I have so much hard work ahead of me if I want to play for the Opals."

The Rangers' youngest MVP winner didn't have much time to celebrate after starting training for Dandenong's South East Australian Basketball League season that kicks off on Sunday, March 21, when the Rangers are at home to Launceston.

Jess Mahony from Adelaide won the coaches' award and American import Casey Nash took out the Janine Fielder players' award.