First the WNBL finals and then the world - Canberra Capitals star Abby Bishop says she has unfinished business in the WNBA and is preparing for stints in Europe and the United States to take her career to a new level.
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But before she begins an around-the-world tour to test herself against the best international players, Bishop is focused on keeping Canberra's WNBL finals hopes alive and ending a play-off drought.
The Canberra skipper is searching for a deal in Europe before turning her focus to the US four years after she was a bench player in the Seattle Storm's WNBA championship.
Regarded by many as the WNBL's most valuable player this season, Bishop wants to prove she can handle increased responsibility in America and hopes to secure a contract when the Capitals' season ends.
"I've always wanted to go back to the WNBA and I feel like the time is right," Bishop said.
"I feel like I can help a team now ... it depends on a lot of different things. But my plan is I want to go to Europe and I want to go to America this year, whether it happens or not I don't know.
"I was in the WNBA as a learning rookie [in 2011] filling up the rookie. But since I've been there last I've grown as a player and person and I can do things now that I couldn't do before."
Seattle owns the rights to Bishop's contract, but if the club opts not to sign her she will be released to join another franchise.
Bishop will wait until the end of Canberra's season before ramping up her search for a European club and will return to the Capitals for the 2015-16 season.
She is also searching for a nanny to join her on the international mission to help her look after niece Zala, who has been in Bishop's custody since she was two days old.
Bishop averages 22.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and three assists per game this season, making her an attractive recruit for international teams.
"There's no question she's got the game to play over there now like a pro and like a star. Her best basketball is about to hit," said Canberra coach Carrie Graf.
"One of her great strengths is she's got persistence and she can handle adversity, she gets on with it. And she's ready to be a key rotation piece in the WNBA."
The Capitals play the Sydney Flames at the AIS Arena on Thursday night and need to win to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Capitals, Flames, Melbourne Boomers and Dandenong Rangers are locked in a battle for the last two play-off spots with six games remaining in the regular season.
The pressure on Bishop has eased with the return of superstar Lauren Jackson, but the 26-year-old says she feels recharged after the Christmas break and has no intention of slowing down.
Bishop has previously played in France and with Seattle and says a year on the road before returning to Canberra won't leave her burnt out.
"I don't have years and years to do this ... I want to do it before Zala goes to school so I'll deal with it all," Bishop said.
"I was pretty low on energy before Christmas ... but we know what we have to do and it's week to week for us. The fact we're still in the finals hunt is a good thing."
WNBL ROUND 13
Thursday: Canberra Capitals v Sydney Flames at AIS Arena, 7pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
