Kelsey Griffin's injury setback fuels Olympic and Capitals' three-peat bid

Griffin signed a one-year contract extension on Wednesday, joining Marianna Tolo to form the foundation for the Capitals' chances of winning a hat-trick of WNBL titles.

The four-time WNBL champion and three-time grand final most valuable player had initially planned to test the free-agency pool, which is expected to open this week, before settling on her next basketball move.

But the desire to pursue a third-straight championship, and the coronavirus shutdown, led her to a "no-brainer" decision to re-sign with the Capitals.

"Looking at free-agency was just to see what offers were out there. At this point in my career I have to put my family first ... it was never because I wanted to leave. It was just to weigh up my options to make sure wanting to stay was the right decision," Griffin said.

"It became a no-brainer for me to stay, it really seemed like the best decision. Not only for me, but for my family as well."

Griffin as been the key cog in Canberra's rebuild, which started when she arrived before the 2018-19 season. She led the Capitals to a drought-breaking title that season, winning the league most valuable player and the grand final top-individual prize to cap a remarkable performance.

Griffin was at the front of the Capitals' charge to back to back titles last season, playing through the pain of a shoulder injury to help the side clinch another championship.

MORE CANBERRA SPORT

Off-season shoulder surgery has given Griffin time to assess her future and what drives her, with an opportunity to win three in a row and the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics on her radar.

The Capitals have won nine championships, including back to back four times. If they win again next season they will become just the third team in the WNBL's 41-year history to claim a three-peat.

"It's still early days to be talking about that, but when you think about being able to make history and help someone [Marianna Tolo] achieve something, that's really important," Griffin said.

"That was part of the enticing reason to come back. Two years ago it was easy, I was coming off a terrible injury run and switched clubs, I wanted to prove there was still plenty left in the tank and I wasn't washed up.

"... At the moment, the Olympics is a huge driving force for me. Whether that's the Opals or three-on-three, competing at an Olympics would be amazing.

"Time will tell [how my body copes]. I'm a firm believer in preparation. All I can do is rehab and put myself in the best position to be successful. Whatever happens is out of my control.

"That's what I'm trying to do throughout this period, prepare my body to be the best teammate, best player I can be for the Caps and hopefully put my best foot forward to make an Olympics."