THE WEEK THAT WAS – 5

Medals, All-Stars and signings, it’s been a bumper seven days. This is The Week That Was.
BRONZED OPALS
The Seven Consulting Opals finished their home FIBA Asia Cup tournament on a high beating New Zealand, 81-59, to claim a bronze medal last Sunday.
The team was full of WNBL players and the Tall Ferns also featured some familiar faces including coach Guy Molloy and players Penina Davidson, Tahlia Tupea, Krystal Leger-Walker and Stella Beck.
Townsville Fire recruit Alice Kunek was recognised for her strong campaign with selection in the All-Star Five as was Davidson.
New UC Capitals recruit Monica Okoye was a member of Japan’s silver-medal winning team.
EZI, EZI, EZI
It was a great week for Aussie All-Stars with Ezi Magbegor earning WNBA honours for the first time.
The 23-year-old is averaging a career-high 14.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in her fourth WNBA season.
Also at the Storm, Sami Whitcomb, who will represent the Fire in #WNBL24, celebrated her 200th WNBA game. An incredible achievement for a player who earned her first contract in the world’s premier league at age 29.
CAPTAIN’S CROSSING
Aimie Rocci will wear Boomers colours in her 14th WNBL campaign.
The Southside Flyers skipper is the fifth captain from the last season to move clubs joining Sami Whitcomb (Perth to Townsville), Cayla George (Melbourne to Sydney), Lauren Nicholson (Townsville to Sydney) and Keely Froling (Sydney to Melbourne).
FIRE UP SAFFRON
Highly touted teenage guard Saffron Shiels will continue her development under Shannon Seebohm at Townsville this season.
The Centre of Excellence product, who will represent the Gems at this month’s FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Spain, measures in at 188cm and is just 17 years old.
LIGHTNING STRIKES
Adelaide added another bright homegrown prospect to its roster, signing Taylor Mole.
The 24-year-old forward who represented Australia at junior level and enjoyed an impressive college career with Santa Barbara, is currently averaging 16 points, at over 40 per cent, and 6.5 rebounds per game for Cairns Dolphins in NBL1 North.
Guard Lizzy Tonks has also joined Adelaide from the UC Capitals, extending the player-coach connection with coach Nat Hurst who coaches the 26-year-old at the Nationals in NBL1 East.
Chelsea Brooke, meanwhile, will take a year’s break from the WNBL.
PERTH TO POLAND
Asia Cup bronze-medal winning Opal Chloe Bibby will take her game to Poland next season.
The 25-year-old, who made her WNBL debut with Dandenong Rangers as a teenager, played with Perth Lynx last season and is currently suiting up for Frankston Blues in NBL1 South.