Now, they hope to use a proposed modified Waratah Basketball League with the Newcastle Hunters as a platform back to the national women's league, which will start on November 20 and comprise 21 rounds.

McSpadden was part of the Sydney University Flames roster for the past four WNBL seasons but was given limited court time last campaign and is off contract.

The 21-year-old centre was integral to the Hunters winning the Waratah Basketball League women's championship last year and was set to play for Frankston in the NBL1 before the season was cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis.

"It's fantastic that they're going to have some sort of [WNBL] competition and I guess that means we've just got to sort out what we're doing now," McSpadden said.

"It gives us some motivation that there will be something to work towards. If there's no imports, it frees up playing opportunities for the Australian players, so that gives us a chance to play a bit more."

McLean had a WNBL season with Bendigo Spirit in 2018-19 but has not played since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in her right leg in the Hunters' season-opener in March last year. The 20-year-old guard was set to play for Bendigo Braves in NBL1 this year.

"I haven't played since I did my knee and I'm wanting to get as many games as I can, so when it does come to WNBL that's not my first game and I've already had a decent off-season where I've prepared myself to be able to compete at that WNBL level," McLean said.

"It's probably a really good opportunity for players like myself and Lara to get a good roster spot because they've announced there won't be any imports, so that just means there's more room on those rosters and potentially establishing ourselves in the league a lot easier than what it would've been with more competition."

The NBL1 was scheduled to start mid-April and McLean said having a few extra months before testing her knee in competition was "a little bit of a blessing in disguise".

"It means I haven't necessarily had to rush into anything," she said. "I just have to build that confidence back up. Going down to Bendigo, I was mentally ready to play, so having this little setback I've got to build back up to that confidence where I can say I'm ready to play again."

McSpadden and McLean returned to Newcastle when the NBL1 season was scrapped and are now waiting to hear if the Waratah League can go ahead with a proposed start date of July 18-19. The Newcastle Herald understands Basketball NSW are planning for the league to be played as one round with finals in September.

The NSW government have announced junior sports competition can return on July 1 but are yet to make an announcement for senior sport.