Olympic Games hopeful Stephanie Talbot has vowed to "make my own opportunities" as she searches for her scoring mojo to help the Canberra Capitals break their losing hoodoo.
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Capitals young gun Talbot failed to score in an uncharacteristic attacking display last weekend, with the WNBA draftee admitting it was the first time she could remember finishing a game without any points.
But Australian Opals coach Brendan Joyce has backed the 21-year-old to bounce back, describing her as a future superstar who will rival the best players in the world.
Talbot and the Capitals are in Victoria for a dreaded two-game double-header against the Dandenong Rangers and Melbourne Boomers on Saturday and Sunday.
It's a daunting road trip for a team struggling at the bottom of the ladder after a record 11 losses in a row, and Talbot wants to help lift Canberra out of their slump.
She had just four shots in 33 minutes on the court last weekend, finishing with five rebounds, three assists and no points - well below her season average of 13.7 per game.
"I guess I didn't get that many chances but at the same time I've got to make my own opportunities [in offence]," Talbot said.
"It could be a confidence thing as well. We've got four games in the two weeks before Christmas, hopefully I can step it up again and get some form back.
"I haven't thought about [not scoring], you can't dwell on it. You've just got to move on."
Talbot has been included in Joyce's 12-strong squad for a Rio Olympic test event in Brazil next month.
The versatile guard has been a defensive standout for Canberra but the Capitals need her to keep scoring if they want to breakthrough for their first win of the WNBL season.
Talbot has been working with Joyce every week to keep her development on track and she is in with a genuine chance of making the Olympic squad next year.
Joyce described her as a future replacement for superstar Penny Taylor.
"One of the things I learnt last year was that Steph Talbot is one of the best defensive players in the world," Joyce said.
"Up until three weeks ago she was one of the leading scorers [in the WNBL]. From the national team point of view, she can defend anyone in the world and can also score.
"Obviously her shot takes have to go up ... I know what she can do and I've seen what she can do, she's a great fit for the national team and she's going to have a long future as an Opal."
The Capitals have shown massive improvements over the past two weeks, getting within striking distance of a drought-breaking win against the Melbourne Boomers and the Sydney Flames.
But they face a challenge for four games on the road before Christmas, with the trip to Victoria followed by a nightmare double-header to Adelaide and Perth next weekend.
The Capitals' poor form threatens to affect the international prospects of Talbot and Abby Bishop, who are pushing for spots in the Olympic squad.
"It's always going to be tough to make any Opals team," Talbot said.
"To be going to a test event [in Rio] is very exciting, to be able to play, show your stuff and hopefully prove yourself a bit is exciting. There are lots of girls fighting for spots."
Bishop is making her international comeback after almost two years out of the Australian set-up.
"I've been struggling with my form because I've been coming back from injury," Bishop said.
"I was worried if I was playing [Joyce's] style of game. It's a good chance for him to see some of us who haven't played for him before."
