'Coolest thing': WNBL building a reputation in WNBA

Opal Jade Melbourne says the WNBL is building a reputation for turning WNBA bench-warmers into stars.

The WNBL tips off on Saturday with a clash between the UC Capitals and Southside Melbourne Flyers at John Cain Arena, with the game being touted as the biggest season opener in the competition's history.

This WNBL campaign will feature at least 10 players who participated in the 2025 WNBA season.

Several players have recently taken part in the WNBL and gone on to have successful stints in the US, including 2025 WNBA champion Jackie Young and All-Star Kayla Thornton.

"The coolest thing about the WNBL is it gives WNBA players real exposure to work on their game," Capitals captain Melbourne told AAP.

"Girls who come off the bench and play limited roles in the WNBA are coming over here to seek that opportunity and really get on their game.

"We've seen girls come over here and then have career-best years in the WNBA.

"They get exposure to the Australian style of basketball, and we get to show what we're like down here.

"That's the reputation that the league's building."

The Capitals have recruited experienced heads for this season, bringing in Opals Sara Blicavs and Zitina Aokuso, and former Phoenix Mercury forward Kadi Sissoko.

Capitals coach Paul Goriss came up to Melbourne during the WNBL pre-season tournament to share a simple message, saying "we are going to be so good this year".

Melbourne noted Goriss' words boosted her belief the team, who have won a record nine WNBL titles, can return to finals for the first time since 2022.

"He (Goriss) cares, and he wants to see the best for you. He sees a lot of potential in you that you might not see in yourself," the 23-year-old said.

"We went through a big year last year. We put Canberra back in a position that we wanted it to be, and that's being in finals contention, getting the crowd and the support back on track."

Bendigo Spirit are looking to become back-to-back WNBL champions, 11 years after the club achieved the feat.

However co-captain Marianna Tolo admits it will be hard without 2024 league MVP Sami Whitcomb, the WNBA's most improved player Veronica Burton, and Kelly Wilson (pregnant).

"It's hard. Every player is different, and you can't expect that someone's going to do the same thing as someone else," Tolo told AAP.

"While we have lost, we've gained a lot in Izzy Borlase, Kelsey Rees, and Olivia Pollerd, some girls who have come back from college, which is a really tough experience."

Sydney Flames' Keely Froling is also buzzing to get back on the court after missing out on much of last season with a knee injury.

"It feels like a really long time since I played," she told AAP.

"Last season, I had a meniscus injury, which wasn't huge, but it needed surgery. It was one of those ones we couldn't really avoid."