Canberra Capitals game-breaker Abby Bishop will draw inspiration from the Australian Opals success in Beijing as she prepares for the new Women's National Basketball League season, which begins in October.

The 2005-06 Betty Watson Rookie of the Year trained with the national squad in the lead-up to the Olympics and said the time in such illustrious company could help take her game to another next level this season.

''I was just more than happy to be in the squad. To train with those type of girls was such an experience for me,'' Bishop said.

''I've had a little bit of a break so I am hitting the gym hard now and getting back on court.

''I have been working a lot on my outside game, my three point shot and my ball skills.''

Bishop's teammates will look to the powerful centre this season as a go-to player whose combination with Tracy Beatty will form an integral part of the Capitals attack.

After missing out on last season's grand final the Capitals will be aiming to rekindle the form that provided successive premierships in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.

''With me and Tracy [Beatty] in the paint, the likes of Nat Hurst, Jess Bibby and new recruit Michelle Musselwhite we are going to be very hard to stop.

''We are in pre-season now and the aim is to be the fittest team in the competition,'' Bishop said.

The 20-year-old admitted she held no reservations about missing out on Olympic selection, indicating the experience would enhance future opportunities for the rising star.

''It was such an experience for me training with Belinda Snell, Kristy Harrow and those likes so just watching and being able to say that I trained with them is really good,'' Bishop said.

She has been keeping tabs on the Opals and said the squad remained a strong chance of a gold medal in Beijing despite an ankle concern for inspirational former Capitals star Lauren Jackson.

''Lauren is very mentally tough so she can push through it, they have been injecting it before the games and you probably wouldn't be able to tell if you didn't know.

''People are going to have to step up in this situation but I'm sure they can get the job done,'' Bishop said.