OPALS OLYMPIC SQUAD ANNOUNCED – MALEY & ATWELL INCLUDED

Basketball Australia has today announced the Seven Consulting Australian Opals squad for this year’s Paris Olympic Games.

The 26-player squad includes Perth Lynx Captain Anneli Maley and Vice Captain Amy Atwell. They will participate in training camps, tours and fixtures both domestically and internationally against other Olympic-bound countries in the lead-up to the Games, which begin on July 26.

“It is always an honour to be selected in the squad surrounded by incredible athletes and women, wearing the green and gold in any capacity is part of the reason we play.” – Anneli Maley 

“I am super excited and honoured by the opportunity. It is every little girl’s dream to represent her Country in some form, so being selected in the squad is exciting.” – Amy Atwell

The final-12 player team for Paris will be chosen from the extended squad.

The squad features 14 combined Olympic Games appearances, 11 members of the FIBA 2022 World Cup team which won a bronze medal as well as young guns Jade Melbourne and Isobel Borlase who helped the Opals qualify for Paris at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in February.

College star Georgia Amoore, who played for Virginia Tech and is eligible to be selected in April’s WNBA draft, has earned selection in her first Opals squad.

The squad includes 17 players who competed in the 2023-24 Cygnett WNBL season and a strong contingent of athletes currently playing in Europe including Tokyo Olympians Marianna Tolo and Ezi Magbegor. Chloe Bibby was this month crowned Polish League MVP.

Tokyo Olympian Sara Blicavs underwent surgery this week and we wish her all the very best for her recovery.

Last week’s Olympic draw conducted by Opals legend and former Australian captain Penny Taylor in Switzerland has Australia grouped in Pool B alongside host nation France, Canada and Nigeria.

Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello said selecting the squad was an important step in preparations for Paris.

“It’s always an exciting time to announce an Olympic squad and I congratulate all the athletes. They all know what it means to play for Australia, and they all want the opportunity to represent their country at an Olympics,” Brondello said.

“Our squad is full of exceptional talent, and they will make the decision to pick a final 12 very difficult. We have Canada, Nigeria and France in our pool, so we are focused on that and what is required to get onto the podium.”

Seven Consulting Opals Paris Olympic Squad

Rebecca Allen
Zitina Aokuso
Georgia Amoore
Amy Atwell
Chloe Bibby
Isobel Borlase
Keely Froling
Darcee Garbin
Cayla George
Shyla Heal
Lauren Jackson
Alice Kunek
Tess Madgen
Ezi Magbegor
Anneli Maley
Jade Melbourne
Lauren Nicholson
Stephanie Reid
Maddison Rocci
Lauren Scherf
Alex Sharp
Alanna Smith
Stephanie Talbot
Marianna Tolo
Kristy Wallace
Sami Whitcomb

*All players are subject to availability and fitness