MVP's honest reset after WNBA heartbreak

After experiencing the dizzying highs and rock-bottom lows of a WNBA finals series, Australia's Izzy Borlase admits she may need some time to find her feet. 

The 22-year-old endured a sporting experience many her age don't, when her Atlanta Dream reached the pinnacle series of the US's top women's basketball league, only to suffer a gut-wrenching loss in game seven on October 31.

The Opal's sparkling performances off the bench earned praise from her coach and pundits, while also underlining her rapid rise in the basketball world.

But now Borlase faces a new challenge, shaking off her American miseries and helping ignite the Bendigo Spirit's WNBL campaign.

The star guard confirmed she was planning to play for the Victorian club in their clash against the star-studded Sydney Flames on Saturday.

But the reigning WNBL MVP concedes she may not find her groove immediately. 

"I don't think it would be fair on my part to think that it's just going to happen like it did last year," Borlase told AAP. 

"I've just moved back from a new country, and I've just experienced a lot from an emotional standpoint.

"It will take a bit of time for me to adjust back to my role from what I was doing in Atlanta. There's not really any internal pressure from myself."

The 22-year-old won't be the only Atlanta player to make a season debut in round five, with Kenyan centre Madina Okot expected to feature for the Tasmania Jewels.

"She (Okot) is going to change pretty much the whole dynamic of our team," Jewels forward Brooke Basham told AAP ahead of their match against the Southside Melbourne Flyers on Thursday.

 "She's super long, athletic, and defensively, she's going to really anchor us."

Regardless of Okot's impending arrival, Basham has shown that Tasmania has another star in their ranks, averaging 15 points and 1.75 steals per game.

The 28-year-old credits a dual WNBA champion for helping her make a fast start.

"A player I idolised was Erin Phillips ... and I consider her a bit of a mentor for me," Basham said.

"She always reflected on the sacrifices she made, and explained that those sacrifices will pay off tenfold in other areas in your life later on.

"I've sacrificed a lot ... and I'm just getting the experiences that I always wanted."

The Perth Lynx will play the Geelong Venom on Friday before taking on the Flyers on Sunday.

Miela Sowah may return from winning the WNBA title when her Townsville Fire face the UC Capitals later on Sunday, ahead of the Adelaide-Geelong clash on Tuesday.