'I'm doing this for her': Why Alex Bunton is back on the WNBL court for the Canberra Capitals

Well that's what they told her anyway. Eleven knee surgeries in 11 years meant the Australian basketballer had to walk away from the WNBL, away from the game that had become her life.

That's why Bunton thought she would be feeling more pressure as she prepares to stage a stunning comeback with the Canberra Capitals in Sydney on Sunday.

But then she glances at the baby girl in the car as she travels up the highway and sees her why.

Bunton's comeback is about more than herself. This is no ego contest. It's about inspiring her daughter Opal.

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"Having Opal, it's like I just have something else to focus on. She's calmed me a lot in moments of 'can I do this?' She's part of it now," Bunton said.

"It's not just about me anymore and I enjoy that, I'm doing this for her and I'm doing this for myself. It's a beautiful thing to have her on the journey.

"It's a whole new thing. I feel like I've got a different mentality. I want to do her proud and I want to do my family proud, because they've been backing me for my whole career.

"They've been my biggest supporters. They've seen the really hard moments of my career and they've seen the amazing moments. They've been there the whole time and I think this is special for them because they just want me to succeed.

"I might be 28 but I'm still their baby girl. They just want me to do well and they've been amazing for Opal as well because obviously I'm a single mum. Mum will be on the road trips when Opal comes.

"It's just as special for them as it is for me."

Bunton retired from basketball more than two years ago, forced at the time to choose between sacrificing her dream or battling agonising knee pain. Bunton felt as though she was forever caught in a circle playing catch-up. If she wasn't playing, she was rehabilitating a knee injury. If she wasn't doing that, she was on the court.

So when she retired, most figured that was it. One of the most promising players in the country's career dashed by injury just as she should have been entering her prime.

Most, except for Capitals coach Paul Goriss.

That's why he came calling for Bunton as he pieced together a roster for the 2021-22 campaign. He knows, just as well as she does, Bunton is ready.

The two-year break is what she needed. She's back in the gym doing box jumps and squats she once couldn't.

"He knew I could do it. Back when I retired at the start of 2019, he didn't think it was over for me," Bunton said.

"When I saw him when I came here, he actually said that. It was never truly over even though I had to accept it for what it was medically. It didn't feel like it was over, I just needed a break.

"Coming back here now and having the confidence and backing from Gorrie and my team, everyone has been so good for me, encouraging me to have that confidence to play like I can play. I don't have that pressure on myself and it has made me feel really good.

"Every week has just gotten more enjoyable for me to think 'two years hasn't stopped me, two years has given my body a break'.

"Now I've just got to keep reminding myself I'm meant to be here. Goz said it to all of us, we're all meant to be here and we're all a part of it. I really feel that."

Meant to be here, certainly. Few have been on a journey as heart-wrenching as Bunton. But surely there are a few butterflies in the stomach, no?

"I thought I'd feel a bit more pressure on myself," Bunton said. "But I actually feel calm and relaxed about it because I've had this whole attitude of preparing myself and getting back into it slowly, and just enjoying it for what it is instead of putting pressure on myself. I'm excited, I'm ready."

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