She then reverted to being a mid-courter and hasn't stood under a hoop for years.
You wouldn't have known yesterday, as she looked assured inside the circle and nailed several huge three-point attempts.
"It's been a while - I would say about four years [since I have shot]," said Rasmussen. "I emailed [the coach] leading into Fast5 to ask if I was going to be centre or goal attack. She said, 'put up some shots, you'll probably be running at goal attack'. And there I was [yesterday]."
Rasmussen looked nervous early in the first match against Malawi, twice turning down shooting opportunities and looking for the pass. But she tried a three-pointer moments later - which brought the crowd to their feet.
She sank another on her next attempt and managed a six-point 'super shot' during the third-quarter power play. She also sank a critical six-pointer in the second match against England, which brought the Ferns back into the match.
"I didn't have a lot of [shooting] practice to be honest," Rasmussen said. "This is my first Fast5 campaign - with the two- and three-point zones - and there's actually a lot of pressure when the crowd is shouting, 'shoot it'. I think I got a bit of persuasion from the fans."
Without the injured Maria Tutaia and rested Cathrine Latu, the Ferns' long-range shooting - often the vital difference in this format - looked to be a weak point. But Rasmussen's confidence from distance was a boost, with Ellen Halpenny also nailing some long shots.
"It's pretty flipping phenomenal," said Irene van Dyk, technical adviser and de facto shooting coach. "She hasn't shot for a long time and to have the guts to put the three-pointers up ... it says a lot about Grace and her mental toughness."
Rasmussen has suffered through a knee reconstruction, then the Mystics' disastrous 2013 season. But she has been reborn this season, thriving under Julie Fitzgerald at the Magic and returning to the international arena.
"It's been an amazing year ... to return to the Silver Ferns and now get the chance to play Fast5."
Young defender Temalisi Fakahokotau also made her presence felt yesterday, producing some collisions that wouldn't look out of place in the NRL and some outstanding blocks. Teenage shooter Malia Paseka, who was called up on Thursday, made an assured debut with some nice touches.
Meanwhile, van Dyk was all smiles on the coaching bench. She had every reason to be dejected - the first injury of her long career robbed her of an international farewell - but was her usual irrepressible self as she watched 'her' shooting quartet perform.
Australia, England and Jamaica look the main threats to stopping the Ferns' run today.
The Australian team had come into the tournament fresh, with none of the squad involved in the recent international matches for the Diamonds, though they were unconvincing against New Zealand yesterday. England are an all-round impressive unit and Jamaica have tall timber at both ends of the court.
The Ferns play South Africa (2pm) and Jamaica (4.15pm) today before the playoffs began at 6.15. The final is scheduled for 7.55pm.
