Mitchell has more important things than basketball to focus on - she is 20 weeks pregnant with the second child for her and partner Mikaela Dombkins, who is an assistant coach with the Spirit.

"Aside from being tired, I feel pretty good,'' a jubilant Mitchell said on Wednesday.

"We're very excited."

Mitchell, 36, was the Spirit's prized signing during the Women's National Basketball League off-season and she departs the club after playing four games.

Under WNBL rules, Mitchell earns her full contract for the 2021-22 season even though the club wasn't made aware of her pregnancy until after the season had started.

With Mitchell the highest paid player at the club, the Spirit won't be replacing her on the roster because they don't have the finances available.

"Everyone involved with the Bendigo Spirit congratulates Leilani and Mikaela on their wonderful news,'' Bendigo Stadium Limited chief executive officer Dennis Bice said.

"While it's only been a short time, Leilani and Mikaela were valued members of the Spirit family.

"We wish them all the best for the future."

Read more: Voluntary shutdowns toughest challenge yet for hospitality venues

Read more: Opals selection a reward for effort for Spirit star Maley

Mitchell admitted it was tough informing Spirit coach Tracy York that she wouldn't be able to play the full season.

"It was hard to be too excited when you know you're letting people down,'' Mitchell said

"At the same time, I'm older and later in my career and having a family and carrying a child myself has always been something I've wanted to do.

"It's not something that you can wait forever to do as a woman.

"It's a tough situation that women have to make that choice to either play sports or expand or start their family.

"I've let some people down in the sense I can't finish the season, but my team-mates are excited for me and I do feel blessed that I'm carrying a child.

'Hopefully, everything goes well for the rest of the pregnancy."

Read more: EVCA Twenty20 semi-finals take shape

Read more: Thousands of basketballers to converge on Bendigo for Junior Classic

Mitchell's form during her four games with the Spirit was not to the high standards she'd set around the world in previous years, but that's understandable considering she had the mental and physical demands of balancing pregnancy with a career in one of the best women's basketball leagues in the world.

"First and foremost I wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything that could hurt the baby, so I was having regular check-ups and scans,'' Mitchell said.

"A few different doctors told me that because the baby was so low I wasn't really at risk.

"Because I've played basketball at a high level before I was pregnant... playing a high intensity sport wasn't going to cause trouble during the first trimester.

"It was always in the back of mind whether I should dive on a loose ball or take a charge, but the team didn't know at that point.

"The players treated me the same and I wanted it that way...I didn't want them to worry about me or for them to treat me differently.

"I told the players a few weeks ago and they still didn't do anything different, which I appreciated."

Dombkins gave birth to the couple's first child, Kash, in 2018.

Young Kash is excited that he's going to be an older brother.

"At first he was a bit hesitant, but now he's super excited,'' Mitchell said of Kash.

"I can feel the baby kick now and he likes to put his hand on and feel the baby kick.

"He says he's going to share his toys and help care for the baby, but he's already ruled out changing the nappies."

Mitchell declared she hadn't retired from basketball and that she'd make a decision on her playing future down the track.

The Spirit (1-3) are back on court for the first time in the best part of a month at home on Friday night against Townsville.

They back-up on Sunday afternoon in Canberra before returning to Bendigo Stadium on Tuesday night to host Sydney Uni Flames.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: