Canberra Capitals forward Rachel Jarry admits she is "getting to the stage" where she needs to consider retirement due to the effects of repeated concussions.
Doctors have advised Jarry to take an indefinite break following the seventh concussion of her career, with the dual Olympian facing a six to 12 month stint out of the game.
Retiring at 26 would be a cruel blow for the former Australian Opal but Jarry will delay a decision on her future until after further testing.
Such is the rarity of repeated concussions in basketball, Jarry will seek advice from doctors that work in depth with football codes as she contemplates her future.
While her Capitals teammates look to finish their season on a high against the Perth Lynx at the National Convention Centre on Friday night, Jarry will be weighing up her options.
"I probably am getting towards the stage where we're starting to think about [retirement]," Jarry told Fairfax Media.
"But obviously there's a little bit more I've got to do before we get to that discussion regarding tests and seeing everyone else.
"The positive thing for me is I don't really have any symptoms outside of when I have concussion so that's something on my side.
"We've only got one brain and it's a bit different to an injury to the rest of your body. Pain is okay to play through but obviously with the brain it's a bit different and it can affect long-term health so I'll just get the right advice and do what I can.
"There's a lot of sports doctors doing studies on concussion here in Australia at the moment so I'll seek out them and get some other testing done."
Jarry spent Christmas at home with family in Melbourne, taking the chance to reassure them she is okay in the wake of the concerning concussion she suffered against Dandenong on December 9.
She was stretchered from the court and taken to hospital, with the incident coming 10 days after she returned from a three week concussion-imposed lay-off.
Jarry has previously admitted the lack of knowledge about the long-term effects of concussion is "worrying" and says training has been a tough ask without the carrot of game time hanging in front of her.
The WNBL concussion policy states any player suffering a concussion must be reported to the league and ticked off by an official club doctor before returning to play.
A string of concussions has been heartbreaking for Jarry, who worked tirelessly to overcome a knee injury that hampered her start to the season.
"It's really difficult [to watch from the sidelines] and it's something I've had to do a little bit of in my career unfortunately," Jarry said.
"It is a part of sport, injury, so I've just tried to still be a positive influence on the team and not let how I'm feeling inside affect anyone else.
"I think I've done a good job of that and it's just been great to win a few games, that's been the best thing, just being able to cheer on some wins."
Capitals coach Paul Goriss says it has been a tough pill to swallow for Jarry, who has sparkled in her limited time on the court.
"It's taken a toll on her mentally more so than anything, because having to deal with [the fact] that it's not an age issue or a body issue, it's just through concussion," Goriss said.
"[It's a matter of] just being cautious with the concussion ruling and doing the right thing. It gives her time to get her knee right and get that healthy and fit, and time away for her to focus on some other parts of her life as well."
WNBL
Friday: Round 13 - Canberra Capitals v Perth Lynx at National Convention Centre, 7.30pm.
