Lauren Jackson is set to give up the chance of a testimonial season with the Canberra Capitals and instead play with arch-rival side the Sydney Flames.
Jackson, who led the Capitals to four WNBL championships during a dominant period from 1999, committed yesterday to a return to the Australian league but indicated it was unlikely to be in Canberra.The 27-year-old flies back to Russia today to rejoin her teammates at club Spartak Moscow Region in the Russian national competition and in the European League.
The Opals captain has spent the past three weeks with family in her home town of Albury.
While she will continue to return to Canberra the city she called home for a decade for visits, the chances of Jackson again suiting up for the Capitals appear slim.
''I'll never say never because with me, that's just the way it is, but I live in Sydney when I come back now so it would make more sense to play there,'' Jackson said.
''Canberra is always going to have a special place in my heart and I always said there would be a chance of me playing there again but there are so many options for me in Sydney.
''I want to study when I come back and I've spoken to the uni there already about some possible options, I've spoken to the club about possibly playing with them so, while nothing's definite, Sydney is a really good option for me I'd say.''
Jackson made a name for herself in Canberra, initially playing for and leading the AIS to its inaugural WNBL crown in 1998-99.
She then joined the Capitals and led them to four titles before finally succumbing to the rich international circuit.
She was first lured by the big money when she was paid $100,000 to play five games in Russia in 2005.
Early the following year she quit the Australian league to play with the Seattle Storm in the WNBA for about $110,000 per season.
She still plays for the Storm and also plays for Spartak in Russia during the Australian summer on a contract worth about $500,000 per season.
According to the BRW rich list, Jackson earned $1.2million in 2007.
Jackson said she was likely to continue to chase the lucrative overseas market for another three years before returning to Australia.
''It's more about the money now than it's ever been because I can set myself up,'' she said.