Bishop was unveiled as the new leader of Tuesday and will take over from Jess Bibby when the WNBL season starts on Friday night.

The 25-year-old is intent on restoring Canberra's dented pride and ending a three-year play-off absence.

Bishop has also taken on the responsibility of parenthood after voluntarily taking custody of one-year-old niece Zala last year, juggling her booming basketball career and motherly duties.

Bishop quit the Australian Opals' world championship campaign this year to focus on looking after Zala when Basketball Australia introduced a controversial parenting policy.

"Probably a year ago people were saying that I would struggle to play WNBL with taking on a baby. Even my mum doubted what I could do with Zala," Bishop said.

"I feel proud to have taken Zala on and have been able to keep up basketball. Some people might think it's lame, but I am proud of myself and and hopefully we can get back to our winning ways.

"Mum said she's proud, that means a lot. I like to prove people wrong, regardless of what it is. And when mum doubted me I had the attitude that I was going to do it and show her. It makes me hungrier when people doubt you."

Bibby decided to step down from her captaincy duties after four years in the job to avoid becoming stale.

But coach Carrie Graf declared Bibby would be the "spiritual leader in other ways".

"She's our effervescence, it will allow Bibby to be who she is. To be our spark plug without the weight of leading a team," Graf said.

Bishop is focused on ending the Capitals' finals drought, starting with a round-one double header against the Melbourne Boomers on Friday night and the Sydney Flames on Saturday.

Bishop has already played 167 WNBL games for the AIS, Dandenong, Adelaide and Canberra. She has won three championships, is an Olympian and has had playing stints in France.

The Capitals players voted Bishop into the leadership role and she will take charge of  a team boasting veterans Bibby, Lauren Jackson, Kristen Veal and Carly Wilson.

"I do see myself as a leader and I want to lead by my actions," Bishop said. "I definitely think I'm ready. If I wasn't, I would put the team first and say no. There's a great vibe within the group, everyone is hungry for success this year."

Graf said: "If there was a list of 10 things a captain needs, Abby ticks all of them. It's her time.

"She's mature beyond her years ... motherhood has changed her but she's always been mature, she was a leader of women at 19 years old."

WNBL round one

Friday: Melbourne Boomers v Canberra Capitals at State Basketball Centre, 7.30pm.

Saturday: Canberra Capitals v Sydney Flames at AIS Arena, 7pm. Tickets available through Ticketek.