Fowler named in World Champs squad

Rising JCU Townsville Fire star Alex Fowler has been selected to represent Australia at next month’s Under-17 World Championships in Belarus.

Earlier today, the Queensland Country Health Fund Academy representative was one of 12 players selected for the showpiece tournament to be staged in Minsk from July 21 to 29.

Fire assistant coach Mark Wrobel, who has played a key role in the club’s three WNBL titles, will serve in the same role to Shannon Seebohm after the pair won gold together in 2016.

Having made her Australian debut at last year’s Asia Cup in India, Fowler, who averaged 6.5 points and 5.5 rebounds at the tournament, has gone from strength-to-strength since winning selection for the Sapphires.

“Alex was outstanding again at our selection camp at the AIS on the weekend,” Wrobel said.

“She continues to grow as a player and her development since India has been noticeable to the coaching team.

“She enjoyed a great hit-out against the University of Canberra Capitals Academy last week and her toughness, rebounding prowess and her ability to switch and contain guards on the attack allows us to use different defensive schemes.

“I look forward to working with her over the next week to ensure that she is 100% prepared and hopefully we can return with another gold medal.”

Australian Sapphires squad: Georgia Amoore (VIC), Isobel Anstey (VIC), Agnes Emma-Nnopu (VIC), Alex Fowler (QLD), Ashlee Hannan (QLD), Shyla Heal (NSW), Eliza Hollingsworth (VIC), Jade Melbourne (VIC), Isabel Palmer (NSW), Ruby Porter (SA), Gemma Potter (VIC) and Lily Scanlon (VIC).