Liz Cambage will spearhead Australia's challenge for the World Cup next month, capping a jam-packed year of club and country duties.
Coach Sandy Brondello named six overseas-based stars in her 12-woman squad for next month's tournament in Spain, with Cambage the natural focal point.
The 27-year-old began the year in the WNBL, played in the Commonwealth Games, headed to America for an WNBA tilt with Dallas Wings and will now return to action for the Opals.
Cambage posted the WNBA's highest scoring numbers this season before losing in the playoffs on Wednesday (AEST) to the Brondello-coached Mercury, who also have Cup-bound Opals Stephanie Talbot and Leilani Mitchell on their roster.
Mitchell has been selected ahead of Sami Whitcomb for the team's sole naturalised player role.
Australia has reached the semi-final at four of the last five events, winning the world championship in 2006.
Brondello hopes other inclusions - including fit-again Alex Bunton and comeback forward Tess Madgen - can boost the national side.
Bunton, 24, has yet to appear for the Opals at a major tournament after years of knee injuries.
"Alex has worked very hard to get back to full fitness," Brondello said.
"She is another big body who will give us an inside presence on offense as well as provide us with another physical post player and strong rebounder at the defensive end.
"Now with a healthy body, I am looking forward to watching her."
Madgen, 28, returns after three years outside the line-up.
"Tess is a tough competitor who has worked hard to get back to full health. Her gritty play, tough defence and 'do-whatever-is-needed-for-the-team' attitude will be a great asset to us," Brondello said.
Top-tier Opal Rebecca Allen, of already-eliminated WNBA outfit New York Liberty, has also put her hand up for the tournament after missing the 2016 Olympics, 2017 Asia Cup and 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Ezi Magbegor, 20, is the youngest squad member to be heading to Tenerife for the nine-day tournament which is considered second only to the Olympics in terms of prestige.
The world No.4 Opals have been drawn to play Nigeria (world No.34), Argentina (15) and Turkey (7) in the group stage.
OPALS SQUAD FOR THE 2018 FIBA WORLD CUP
Rebecca Allen, Alexandra Bunton, Elizabeth Cambage, Katie-Rae Ebzery, Cayla George, Tess Madgen, Ezi Magbegor, Lauren Mansfield, Leilani Mitchell, Jenna O'Hea, Alanna Smith, Stephanie Talbot. Coach: Sandy Brondello.
OPALS MATCHES FOR THE 2018 FIBA WORLD CUP
Sept 22: Australia vs. Nigeria, 8:30pm (AEST)
Sept 23: Australia vs. Argentina, 8pm (AEST)
Sept 25: Australia vs. Turkey at 8:30pm (AEST)
Sept 26-30: Knockout rounds
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