Australian basketball great Lauren Jackson is determined to fight back from another injury, and a phone call from one of her Opals teammates has lit a fire to play on until the Rio Olympic Games. Rising star Elizabeth Cambage called Jackson as soon as she heard that the four-time Olympian needed more surgery on her troublesome knee. Cambage is regarded as Jackson's heir apparent as Australia's best female basketballer. "I was sitting at home in Albury and the last couple of weeks have been a struggle. Then Lizzie Cambage called me and was so beautiful. She said, 'you've got to get back for Rio, you need to. I want to win a gold with you'. It's those phone calls that pop up out of the blue, that you think about what to do. I want the legacy to be for people I care about. I want to win a gold with the Opals more than anything." Jackson will likely have surgery next week. She has won three silver Olympic medals and one bronze, as well as a world championship title. The 33-year-old carried the Australian flag at the Olympic opening ceremony in London three years ago. "I know if I can get back that I can have an impact on the WNBL with the Capitals, I want to do that and go to an Olympics."

The legends are back: Matt Giteau, George Smith, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock, George Gregan are all wearing an ACT Brumbies jersey and making a comeback this year. But before Brumbies fans get too carried away, they'll be back only in Canberra as part of a way to honour the club's 20th Super Rugby season. The Brumbies have invited all past players to a game this season and will present them with a Brumbies jersey embroidered with their Brumbies number. The club surprised inaugural captain Brett Robinson with the first jersey at the season launch at Regatta Point on Wednesday night. Rod Kafer, Stephen Moore and Nic White were also given their jerseys. Everyone knows the big names. But does anyone remember the one-hit wonders Paul Brown (1996), Brendan Williams (1999), Des Tuiavii (2001) or Scott Barton (2005)?

Canberra Capitals star Abby Bishop is poised to sign a deal to return to the WNBA this year, with the Seattle Storm ready to offer her a contract for the season. Bishop has been Canberra's best player this year and is the favourite to win the WNBL's most valuable player award. Bishop is keen to test herself in the US competition again after being a bench player in Seattle's 2011 championship. It's understood the Storm have given Bishop a contract and she will return to the league. Former Capitals player Marianna Tolo is also on the cusp of a deal with the Los Angeles Sparks, with Australian teammate and 2014 WNBA championship-winner Erin Phillips set to join her. There could be up to eight Australians in the WNBA this year, leaving the Opals stocks decimated for their international games. Bishop is also searching for a short-term deal in Europe before taking another shot at the WNBA.

A bumper collection of Anzac Day sport in the national capital is going to get even bigger, with the Canberra Brave to open its Australian Ice Hockey League season at home to the Sydney Ice Dogs on April 25. The Brave was initially set to be on the road for its first game, but a change in the schedule has worked in its favour. The puck will drop at 5.30pm – 10 minutes before the GWS Giants host the Gold Coast Suns in the AFL at Manuka Oval. The Brumbies will host the Highlanders less than 24 hours earlier at Canberra Stadium to kick-start the long weekend. The Brave's iconic home rink – the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre – will be renamed the Brave Cave. The Brave has the largest average attendance in the AIHL, with all but two of their games last season selling out the 900-person capacity venue.

Brett Lee almost pulled off a miracle in his final game in Canberra. And he'll need another when he tries to find a way to contain South African superstar A.B. de Villiers. The Australian fast bowling great has been appointed as the bowling coach for Ireland for its World Cup campaign. That includes a match with South Africa at Manuka Oval on March 24. Lee was superb in his farewell, taking two wickets in the final over in the Sydney Sixers' thrilling last-ball loss to the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League final. The Proteas will also have an Australian great on their side, with Mike Hussey working with them as a consultant. Hussey was due to captain the PM's XI this year against England, but had to withdraw with a calf injury.

The national Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon series is attempting to break a world record for participants this year and one Canberra family is doing its part. Two sets of twins from the Hehir family of Red Hill will swim, ride and run their way through the course at Canberra's AIS next Sunday, February 15. Oliver and Harry, 10, will be joined by their eight-year-old siblings Sophie and James, along with some 1500 Canberra kids expected to take part at the AIS. It's set to become the biggest under 16's triathlon series in the world, with more than 40,000 anticipated for the events taking place across the country. BMX star Caroline Buchanan is the local ambassador for Canberra. The TRYathlon is designed for kids aged 7-15 of all experience. Registrations close at 11.59pm, Sunday, February 8, at www.try.weetbix.com.au