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MAC Adelaide Lightning have scored the club's biggest recruiting coup in almost a decade, signing Abby Bishop for the 2017-18 WNBL season.

The South Australian-born London Olympian is a multiple-WNBL championship winner and was league MVP in 2015 while playing for Canberra Capitals.

"I am really grateful for the opportunity to come back to my home state to play," Bishop said.

"I grew up in country SA and played a lot of basketball in Adelaide, so this is close to my heart, as I often look back and think about how it all started.

The signing of the 189cm 28-year-old is a massive coup for Lightning and coach Chris Lucas, with the club striving to bring marquee locals back into the program.

"I have had a lot to do with Chris in the past but have never been coached by him as a head coach so this is something I am really excited about because I want to get better, be challenged and help Adelaide get back to the winning ways," Bishop said.

"I love the WNBL, and I have been a part of it for many years so to be coming back at such a great time with the new FOX TV deal and also so many great players coming back into the league, I am genuinely really excited for the upcoming season."

Bishop last wore Adelaide colours in 2011-12 when she was one half of the notorious "Queen Bs" frontcourt alongside Suzy Batkovic.

"To have a player of Abby's ability and stature back in the Lightning is huge for the program," Lucas said.

"She was very high on our recruiting target list and I know she has sacrificed some lucrative financial opportunities in Europe to come home and play for Adelaide."

Bishop currently is playing in France with Tarbes and will return to Adelaide with her daughter Zala, 3, who she adopted days after her sister gave birth to her.

Apart from numerous appearances in the green-and-gold as a junior, Bishop also was an Opals player at the 2010 FIBA World Championship ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.

In the WNBA, she won a championship at Seattle Storm alongside Lauren Jackson.

The duo also were teammates in Canberra WNBL championships.

"We are incredibly excited to have a South Australian of Abby’s calibre representing the club for the 2016-17 season," Lightning general manager Mandy Spear said.

"It is important for us to have South Australian representation. This is a massive coup for the club. Not only is this great for the league, but it is great for basketball in South Australia at all levels, as well as women’s sport."

Lucas said Bishop's natural leadership, ability to lead by example and high basketball IQ made her a major "get".

"She also brings us a wealth of experience as an Olympian, and also as a multiple WNBL and WNBA championship winner, Lucas said.

"Her fierce competitive instincts, quite apart from her undoubted ability, make her a huge signing for us."

Adelaide already has secured former Dandenong Rangers captain and championship-winner Aimie Clydesdale for its 2017-18 WNBL assault, while retaining promising rookies Sarah Elsworthy and Chelsea Brook.

Import Colleen Planeta also is expected to return as a permanent resident, leaving Lightning the option to recruit two additional imports.

Lucas shortly will head to the US where he will link up with newly-appointed Opals' Tokyo Olympics coach Sandy Brondello and study her methods, systems and the club's operations ahead of the WNBA season. WNBL championship winner Cheryl Chambers (Sydney Uni) and Paul Goriss (Canberra Caps) have been appointed as Brondello's Opals' assistants.