Olympian Anneli Maley thought about taking time away from basketball until she joined the Perth Lynx under coach Ryan Petrik.
Now, the 27-year-old believes Petrik's influence has helped her become the player she wants to be.
Maley has been instrumental for Perth since signing in June 2023, breaking rebound records, making the WNBL grand final, signing with WNBA team Los Angeles Sparks, and leading the Lynx into this season's finals conversation.
But prior to finding success with Perth, Maley struggled to balance the mental aspect of elite sport with her personal life.
"Before I got to Perth ... I let my performance and how much I was tied up and in basketball define how I felt about myself," the 3x3 Olympian told AAP ahead of the Lynx's clash against the Geelong Venom on Sunday.
"I just wasn't happy and was considering taking a little bit of time off.
"Coming to Perth was exactly what was supposed to happen because I really found myself here, and Ryan ... helped me find my love for the game.
"I really do trust him. I struggle with my own mental health stuff in my anxieties and depression, but he's really just helped me settle into who I am as a human."
She also offers her younger brother, Adelaide Crows youngster Finnbar Maley, words of wisdom.
"I've been able to help him with certain things that you just don't know if you're not a professional athlete, such as the importance of having representation and taking care of your mental health," Maley said.
Adelaide Lightning forward Erin Bollmann has also made an impressive start to the season, mixing her defensive strengths with pinpoint shooting.
But the American didn't even expect to get the WNBL opportunity, as she thought she would get her Australian permanent residency visa first.
Playing in New Zealand, running her social media page @behoopsbasketball, and preparing to teach kids in December, Bollmann thought her summer was set.
But that changed after WNBA import Serena Sundell suffered a season-ending knee injury on November 9.
"This has been one of the biggest transitions I've ever experienced, going from playing comfortably in the NBL1 to getting this opportunity," she told AAP ahead of the Lightning's clash with the Southside Melbourne Flyers on Sunday.
"I haven't had an offseason where all of a sudden, New Zealand and the WNBL want me."
The Sydney Flames will play two matches across Round 11, first against the UC Capitals on Saturday and against the Flyers on Tuesday.
A rematch of last season's grand final will headline the competition's New Year's Eve clash when the Townsville Fire take on the Bendigo Spirit.
