Opals superstar Lauren Jackson believes she's capable of maintaining her massive basketball workload for four more years, and that the sport's next big thing can help take the national team to new heights.

Although recovering from a back injury, Jackson has no intentions of reducing her year-round workload, playing for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA, Russian club Spartak and Australia whenever scheduling permits.

The Opals are naturally keen to protect their biggest asset in the lead-up to next year's world championship defence, but Jackson, 28, has no plans to scale back her commitments.

"I've had a pretty good run up until the last couple of years and injuries have taken over a little bit," she said on Tuesday.

"But what my body needs is a little bit of a break, which I've had, and I'm working on other aspects of my body and hopefully I'm going to get a base to push on for the next four or five years.

"I plan to play forever."

Jackson suffered two fractures in her vertebrae when she crashed to the floor after grabbing a rebound during the last WNBA season, and has another month of rehabilitation before she departs for Moscow.

But her spirits were lifted during a visit to Melbourne for a sponsorship announcement, where she met her likely protege Lizzie Cambage, who is exciting everybody in Australian women's basketball.

Cambage is just 18 and finding her way with Bulleen in the WNBL, but at 203cm and with good rebounding skills and mobility, has the game and physical presence to help Australia combat the bigger teams in the Czech Republic next year.

Her presence could also mean Jackson could play a more offensive role, which would provide a major headache for the Opals' rivals, including the United States.

"It brings a whole new dimension to our team having someone like her and I know there are other tall players as well who are coming through who are very good as well," Jackson said.

"It's going to make my life a whole lot easier, so I'm very excited."

Cambage is keen to work hard on her game and add some definition to her frame, but Opals coach Carrie Graf is eager to see more of her in national colours.

"Her sheer size is just phenomenal. You take a shot of her next to Lauren Jackson (196cm), Lauren looks like a teen in body shape," Graf said.

"Lizzie Cambage is unique, we've never had an Australian basketball player with a unique body like that one.

"Lauren is a superstar, Penny Taylor is a superstar, Liz Cambage has got a lot of work to do but she's going to be something really special."

The draw for the world championships will be held next month, and afterwards Graf's main focus will be assembling the Opals squad from across the world for warm-up matches and training camps.

But Graf was hopeful the dollars from new sponsor Jayco, which will back the Opals for the next three years, would help make it easier to get Australia's best players together.