Basketball Australia chief executive Scott Derwin says the popularity of women's basketball is set to increase following the Opals' world championship success in Brazil last month.

Mr Derwin made the comments at the launch of the Women's National Basketball League season at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra today.

He said Australia's victory over Russia last month to secure the world championship title was a huge boost for women's basketball in Australia.

"I think it will do great things for women's basketball. I mean, these are a great group of girls, great ambassadors and I would expect that the flow-on effect will be more people and particularly more females playing basketball," he said.

A grand final rematch will tip-off this year's WNBL season, with the Canberra Capitals playing the Dandenong Rangers on Friday night.

Competition is expected to be fierce this season, with no team considered a clear favourite.

Adelaide Lightning player Erin Phillips said the make-up of the teams were very different to last season.

"We've got some new players so we're kind of just starting to really gel together," she said.

"The style hasn't changed, we're still looking for a fast tempo [game], as I guess all the teams are in the league."

ABC