CONGRATULATIONS ANNELI – OPALS SQUAD ANNOUNCED FOR BRAZIL

Basketball Australia has announced a 20-player squad ahead of February’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament, where the Seven Consulting Opals will look to punch their ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A 12-player team will be picked from the extended quad for the Group A tournament in Belem, Brazil where Australia will play the host nation, Germany and Serbia from February 8 to 11.

The Opals must finish in the top three in their group to qualify for next year’s Olympics.

Young gun Jade Melbourne, fresh from her rookie WNBA campaign, has been included as well as 19-year-old rising star Isobel Borlase who has earned selection in her first senior national squad.

Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello said the squad featured plenty of international experience as well as Australia’s stars of the future.

“The qualifiers in Brazil are definitely a challenge, the standard of women’s basketball globally has lifted considerably since the last Olympics as the game continues to gain momentum,” she said.

“Our squad is a great mix of experience and exciting emerging talent, so we approach the qualifiers with confidence but great respect for our opposition. We will have limited preparation for these qualifiers, but we know with the Opals, we lift for the big occasion and with an Olympics spot on the line, we can expect each player to bring it.”

Seven Consulting Opals Squad

Rebecca Allen

Zitina Aokuso

Sara Blicavs

Isobel Borlase

Darcee Garbin

Cayla George

Shyla Heal

*Lauren Jackson

*Alice Kunek

Tess Madgen

Ezi Magbegor

Anneli Maley

Jade Melbourne

Stephanie Reid

Maddison Rocci

Alanna Smith

*Stephanie Talbot

Marianna Tolo

*Kristy Wallace

Samantha Whitcomb

*Subject to fitness

Head Coach: Sandy Brondello
Assistant Coach: Cheryl Chambers
Assistant Coach: Paul Goriss
Assistant Coach: Shannon Seebohm