Ezi Magbegor has relished the chance to learn from fellow introvert Lauren Jackson in her comeback at the women's basketball World Cup, but says she still has some way to go before meriting comparisons to Australia's greatest player.

An athletic centre with skills to boot, 23-year-old Magbegor has been tipped as the next Jackson since adolescence, when she guided the national under-17s team to a historic World Championship gold medal.

Magbegor has gone on to play for the Seattle Storm, the WNBA franchise where Jackson played her entire career, and now both women are providing tall options for the Opals on their charge through the World Cup in Sydney.

Still, Magbegor won't buy into comparisons just yet.

"It's very flattering," Magbegor told AAP.

"I'm definitely not on her level yet but it's nice to see that people see that in me.

"But I'm still getting there."

Magbegor, 18 years younger than her teammate, was not even born when Jackson won her first WNBL MVP award.

She remembers watching the tail end of Jackson's WNBA career growing up in Victoria some 13,000 away from Seattle.

But it took Jackson returning to the Storm to see off departing guard Sue Bird for Magbegor to truly understand the mythic status of the woman she now calls a teammate.

"Being in Seattle, I learned just how much of an impact she had and what she did at the club," Magbegor said.

"Just seeing how the city welcomed her was great.

"We (the Opals) all want to play with her. A lot of us thought we wouldn't be able to do that."

Jackson's lessons have stretched beyond gameplay.

For a self-described introvert such as Magbegor, there's been plenty to take from someone who lets her basketball do the talking.

"I'm an observer so I watch people with similar personalities to me and watch how they can still make an impact even though they are introverted," she said.

"She comes in and hits big shots when we need them, she's a great defender and she's intimidating for the opposition.

"For our team she's been great."

Jackson has kept a keen eye on Magbegor's development and was particularly impressed with her two most recent World Cup games, which helped Australia secure top spot in Group B.

"Ezi has stepped up," Jackson told AAP.

"Athletically, she is so gifted. There is no doubt about it. She's super special as an athlete and it'll be fun to watch her move up."