"I've got a countdown already," the Canberra Capitals development player laughed.

The clock will hit zero in July. That's when the 17-year-old will board a flight bound for Washington's Gonzaga University.

As for how often she checks it on her phone? "Every day."

Scanlon is one of two Capitals rookies bound for the bright lights of college basketball next year with rising star Gemma Potter committing to the University of California, Los Angeles.

But first they have a job to do in Canberra, and the next task comes against the Perth Lynx at the National Convention Centre on Sunday.

How the Capitals bounce back from a 15-day wait remains to be seen, with coach Paul Goriss admitting even he won't know until the Perth clash in underway.

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The Lynx are perhaps a far better side than their pre-international window record would suggest after falling in overtime on three occasions.

Rest assured taking them down is a job Scanlon is still trying to comprehend as she looks around the court and sees the likes of Kelsey Griffin, Marianna Tolo and Kia Nurse.

These are superstars of the competition, and they are her teammates. The mere thought is enough to make Scanlon break out into a huge smile.

"It's still very surreal. I always have looked up to those players, and to be able to train with them is an unbelievable experience," Scanlon said.

"It's a very big opportunity. It's very good for development before I go to college, so it's great. I go next year in July. It'll come around quickly, I'm very excited for it, it'll be great.

"I've found it really great so far, being able to train against some of the best athletes in Australia has really helped my game already.

"I'm excited to see how I can develop, how the team goes, and how we all play together over the rest of the season."

Potter has already emerged as one of the finds of the season amid a stellar start to her career at the top level.

For this 17-year-old seems to have no fear of making a mistake in pursuit of a big play - much to the delight of the league's reigning most valuable player and Capitals leader Griffin.

But even Potter concedes playing a bigger role under the guidance of Goriss than some anticipated was a little overwhelming at first.

"Gorrie sat me down at the start of the season, even before I said I wanted to play here, and says they give people an opportunity here," Potter said.

"For me that was a big thing, just knowing I was going to be given that opportunity and it was what I wanted to make of that.

"It was a bit overwhelming at the start. I didn't really expect that role. It was a bit hard at the start juggling COE commitments and Caps commitments.

"But doing trainings with the girls and getting to know the way they play and style of play took a while. I'm getting there.

"It's pretty crazy. For the past year I've been one of the eldest girls at the COE, now I'm basically the baby of the team.

"It's been awesome to get their knowledge and experience, and their willingness to help throughout training and games."

It's the kind of help she hopes will prove invaluable when she arrives in California for the next step in a whirlwind basketball journey.

If Potter thought heading up the Hume Highway was a big step, a flight - albeit a direct one from her home in Melbourne - around the globe is on a new level.

Because she is about to join a Pac-12 powerhouse.

"It's pretty crazy. When I was coming here to Canberra it was crazy, but now, this is the other side of the world," Potter said.

"It's going to be really good. It's a step up. Again, I'm going to be playing against seniors when I first get there.

"Playing against those bigger bodies [in the WNBL this season] and the experience will definitely help.

"It's a big step but I'm looking forward to moving. It was a little hard because I liked the other schools I did visit.

"But as soon as I stepped foot on that campus I knew that was where I wanted to be."

WNBL ROUND SIX

Sunday: Canberra Capitals v Perth Lynx at National Convention Centre, 5pm. Tickets from Ticketek.