Abby Bishop will put her WNBL career on hold to chase lucrative deals in Europe for the next three seasons to take advantage of contracts worth almost double what she can earn in Australia.
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Reigning WNBL most valuable player Bishop confirmed on Monday that she had turned down an offer to stay with the Canberra Capitals for the 2015-16 season to pursue options abroad.
One of the major driving factors is that the 26-year-old wants to make the most of her earning capacity before settling into a home back in Australia when the 20-month-old in her care, Zala, is ready to start school.
It's a major blow for the Capitals' hopes of rebuilding a championship-winning team, but Bishop said she was content with her decision to leave Canberra and the WNBL in career-best form.
"I feel like I'm playing some good basketball so I have to make the most of the years I have overseas before Zala does start school," Bishop said.
"The WNBL will always be here, hopefully I can come back after a few years in Europe. It was a tough decision, but at the same time it wasn't. From my perspective, a lot needs to change for the Capitals to get back [to the finals]. Sometimes you do have to think of yourself and I have Zala. My primary focus is setting Zala up."
Bishop took niece Zala into her care when she was just two days old. She was granted full custody earlier this year until Zala turns 18. It has dramatically changed Bishop's life as she juggles her basketball career and her new life as a mother.
But it didn't affect her efforts on the court last season, taking the reins as Canberra's captain and averaging 23 points, 10.6 rebounds and more than two assists per game.
Bishop is also still hopeful of making a return to the Australian Opals set-up in the coming year with a view to playing at the Rio Olympic Games next year.
Basketball Australia's new parental policy forced Bishop to withdraw from the Opals' world championship campaign last year. She was invited to an Opals camp this week, but had to withdraw as she rests a minor knee injury.
"I'm having my two weeks off with the knee injury, that's why I won't be at the camp," Bishop said. "I don't know what's happening with the parental policy, we'll just wait to see how it goes."
The Capitals were desperate to keep inspirational leader Bishop, but could not compete with the financial incentive of cashed-up clubs in Europe.
"My goal is maybe three years in Europe, Zala is almost two years old. That would be a perfect age, I'd be nearly 30 and would have done my time over there," Bishop said. "It's a wonderful thing that teams have taken me and Zala in ... they've made the most of it."
Bishop is yet to decide on which club she will play for next season in Europe.
She is back in Canberra for a brief stint after helping guide her Hungarian team, Miskolc, to the grand final for the first time in 19 years.
Her next mission is to take on the world's best players in the WNBA with the Seattle Storm.
The Capitals have signed Belgian centre Ann Wauters to ease the pain of losing Bishop for the coming seasons.
