Leilani Mitchell's sporting plans for 2020 have been put on hold because of the global coronavirus pandemic and, like many, it's now a game of wait and see.

While those schedules are worked out by officials, the unexpected downtime has given Mitchell a chance to hang out with partner Mikaela and son Kash at home in Hamilton.

"Life has just slowed down," she said.

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It has also seen the Opals point guard, who turns 35 in three months, reconsider prolonging her international career a little longer than first anticipated.

The Games were potentially going to signal full-time for Mitchell in August, however, with the event now put back until 2021 her tenure in the green and gold singlet looks set to be extended.

"It was the safest thing to do," Mitchell, who welcomed last week's postponement by the International Olympic Committee, said.

"Obviously I'll be 36 next year and your body is a little bit older, but the plan is to continue playing."

The Rio Olympian also has the new carrot of a World Cup in Sydney in 2022, with hosting rights announced by FIBA a few days ago.

"I know all the Opals were very excited by that," Mitchell said.

"It's great for women's basketball in this country. As the national team we play all over the world, but don't always get the chance to do it at home.

"To have our fans, our family and our friends be able to come to games and watch us play live is pretty special."

With competitions in hiatus the individual challenge for Mitchell, who recently featured in the WNBL final series for the Southside Flyers, is maintaining some fitness.

Collectively as a playing group the main test for the Opals, who had already qualified for Tokyo, will be eventually reuniting and then building towards the new Olympic dates.

"Obviously there's a lot of working out to do, but we've got to make sure we have the opportunity to gel as a group and build that chemistry," she said.

Mitchell's return to the US for a 12^th campaign will depend on travel restrictions and the spread of COVID-19.

She was due to meet with the defending champions, having joined former club Washington from the Phoenix Mercury during the free agency period, for a training camp next month.

The WNBA season was scheduled to start on May 15.

Over the weekend it was announced LA Sparks guard Sydney Wiese became the first WNBA player to test positive for coronavirus.

Meanwhile, at least one of the Hunter' US imports Jazmen Boone has returned home from Newcastle with the 2020 Waratah League season in limbo.

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