MELBOURNE (Australia) - The next generation of Opals' stars have been handed the perfect motivation for the year ahead after earning coveted places in an expanded squad for Tokyo Olympics. 

Basketball Australia have an exciting string of rising stars looking to make the transition to senior action after impressing at recent editions of the FIBA U17 and U19 Women's Basketball World Cups, with the likes of likes of Shyla Heal, Jaz Shelley, Maddie Rocci and Tiana Mangakahia all included on the latest 23-strong list.

"IT'S BEEN ONE OF MY MAIN GOALS SINCE I WAS A LITTLE GIRL AND NOW IT'S HAPPENING, IT MAKES ME HUNGRY TO KEEP ON DEVELOPING." - Shyla Heal

For Heal, who took a silver medal at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Bangkok last year, 12 months after a bronze at the U17 Worlds in Minsk, it is the perfect carrot to take her game to the next level.

"I was so excited when I first found out," enthused the teenager,  who has been included in a squad that is headlined by superstar center Liz Cambage.

"It's been one of my main goals since I was a little girl and now that it is happening, it makes me hungry to keep on developing my skills and body, to compete at the highest levels.

"It is such a talented squad and I can't wait to train alongside the best women in our country," she added.

Meanwhile University of Oregon guard Shelley was just as delighted and said: "Being included in the Opals squad is a dream come true. It’s been a goal of mine since I can remember and I am so grateful for the opportunity.

"I am so excited to train with and compete against some of the best athletes in the country and world. It’s such an honor to be a part of this squad and I am still trying to find the words to explain it.

"This is going to help me and my basketball in so many ways," added Shelley.

"I can learn what it takes to be a professional athlete, but also put my talents to the test. Competing against this calibre of players will improve my game immensely and I’m super excited for this experience  - I will take this opportunity by the horns."

Head coach Sandy Brondello confirmed she was excited to extend the squad out to some of the younger talent who have  all shown extensive potential.

She commented: "From November 2020 to end of 2021, we will embark on an intensive schedule in preparation for the Olympics, followed by Asia Cup and Qualifiers. With that in mind, we decided to extend our squad to 23 players. 

"While the core group has remained the same, we are excited to include some of our talented younger players who have shown much improvement over the past few years and deserve their selection in this squad."

"While the Olympics postponement was disappointing but necessary, we are excited as a group to get back together in November and start the process of building our chemistry to become the best team possible for Tokyo and beyond," stated Brondello.

Meanwhile, as well as deciding if any of the younger players can make a serious push towards the final roster, Australia also have a big decision to make in terms of who occupies the solitary naturalized slot for Tokyo, with Leilani Mitchell, Sami Whitcomb and Kelsey Griffin all in contention. 

FIBA