Australia's greatest female basketballer Lauren Jackson has endorsed Abby Bishop as a future Opals captain, despite a new parental policy forcing the "overnight single mum" to withdraw from the world championships.
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Jackson defended Bishop but is also standing by Basketball Australia, declaring she respect's the organisation's decision.
Bishop, 25, has been inundated by support on social media with friends and fans offering her cash to help fund flights, accommodation and costs of a nanny for Zala, the seven-month-old baby in her care.
Bishop quit the world championship campaign after being told she would have to find childcare costs for Zala and growing increasingly frustrated with BA's handling of her unique situation.
It has divided opinion but torn between close friend Bishop and basketball's governing body, Jackson didn't want to be drawn into a debate about the parental policy.
"I support Abby's decision 100 per cent as a teammate and a friend," Jackson, 32, said.
"But I also respect Basketball Australia's decision ... you have to weigh up all the factors.
Bishop has turned down financial support from social media supporters.
"We need Abby, of course we want her there. She's one of our up and coming leaders of the team and will probably be captain one of these days."
BA initially said Bishop would have to fund the cost of Zala touring with the team and it designed its policy to protect "the sanctity of high-performance.
However, it said Zala would be welcome and Bishop would be eligible for a Direct Athlete Support grant of between $6000 and $25,000.
It's understood Bishop's main frustration was BA's policy and the way it was applied.
BA consulted with Netball Australia, hockey and water polo before finalising it's parental policy.
The Australian and New Zealand netball bodies pay for children to travel with the team, but Netball Australia does not fund day to day costs.
The US women's basketball also pays for children to travel, but the association is much richer than Australia.
Australian players are divided in their opinion on BA's policy, with some concerned how it affects single parents.
Bishop, 25, volunteered to take custody of Zala from her sister for personal reasons, describing her situation as an "overnight single mum" when speaking to Fairfax Media in January.
BA met with the Opals senior players at a camp in Canberra to speak to them about the new policy, which was prompted by Bishop's rare situation.
It's understood some senior players raised concerns and asked for points to be amended.
The policy, which applies to the Opals, the Australian Boomers and wheelchair teams the Gliders and Rollers, was not changed.
BA wanted to work with Bishop to sway her decision to continue with the Opals, but after sending a letter announcing her decision three weeks ago and not hearing back, Bishop had made up her mind.
Bishop has been playing in Hungary and the Olympian was set to play major role at the world championships in Turkey.
Veteran four-time Olympian Jackson is coming back from knee and Achilles surgery and is on track to play at the world championships.
"Abby will be a part of the Opals in the future. I'm not turning my back on either of them," Jackson said.
"Abby's situation is very difficult, but she's a teammate, she's a friend and she's an Opal, regardless of the situation."