It's more than just a massive boost to players. Canberra Capitals championship forward Keely Froling says almost doubling the WNBL's minimum salary will keep players in the game longer and make the competition stronger.
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The WNBL and Australian Basketballers' Association announced on Wednesday the minimum player payment would jump from $7500 to $13,000 for the next two seasons.
Froling played a crucial role off the bench in the Capitals' championship side.
She's currently studying full-time, which means the extra money helps cover costs given she doesn't have time to work as well.
But aside from that it would also have flow on effects for the WNBL.
"It's awesome for all players, but especially those players that are not making as much money as the big-time players," Froling said.
"It will encourage more people to play and makes life easier.
"It is going to keep maybe those players that are not superstars, but can play overseas, maybe entice them to stay around here a bit longer.
"It's definitely a massive step in the right direction ... if you're getting players paid that sort of money from 1-10 then hopefully you get quality players in those spots."
Froling left for Melbourne on Wednesday, where she'll take part in a 3x3 national selection camp ahead of the 3x3 World Cup qualifier in Puerto Rico in May.
She'll be joined there by her Capitals co-captain and WNBL most valuable player Kelsey Griffin.
When Griffin first played in the WNBL and joined the Bendigo Spirit seven years ago, she was one of only three players in the team getting paid.
The rest were all playing for free.
She said it would allow players to have the time to hone their skills.
"Is it an annual salary you could live off of? No, but it's headed in the right direction, which is really exciting," Griffin said.
"It's a considerable amount of money where people can choose to be perfecting their craft instead of being spread between work and playing."
Both Froling and Griffin are the type of players perfectly suited for the fast and furious 3x3 basketball - athletic, tall and skilful.
They both hope to be part of the Australian team to face Puerto Rico, with a spot in the World Cup in Amsterdam in June on the line.
Froling has represented Australia before in the format, while Griffin is coming to it for the first time.
Griffin predicted it wouldn't become before players were specialising.
"Just like anything, the longer it's around and the more you learn about it the more specified athletes are going to be," she said.
"So it won't be something, 'I can't play 5x5 I'm going to play 3x3', it'll be something that you'll build elite 3x3 players and that'll be a really exciting time for the game."
