Opals opportunity handed to 20 players
CANBERRA (FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018) – Australia have announced a 20-strong squad as they step up their preparations for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 in Tenerife next month.
The list is headlined by a number of WNBA stars including the likes of Liz Cambage, Leilani Mitchell, Sami Whitcomb, Cayla George and Rebecca Allen – plus last year’s FIBA Women’s AsiaCup MVP, Kelsey Griffin.
| Australia 20-player squad for FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 | |||
| Rebecca Allen | Stephanie Blicavs | Alex Bunton | Liz Cambage |
| Katie-Rae Ebzery | Tessa Lavey | Lauren Mansfield | Jenna O’Hea |
| Darcee Garbin | Cayla George | Kelsey Griffin | Alice Kunek |
| Ezi Magbegor | Tess Madgen | Leilani Mitchell | Nicole Seekamp |
| Alanna Smith | Stephanie Talbot | Tahlia Tupaea | Sami Whitcomb |
A selection camp will take place from the August 10-17 at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport – although only the athletes currently in Australia will attend.
A number of younger players have been included in the selection, including Alanna Smith, Ezi Magbegor and Tahlia Tupaea. Smith, who is currently attending Stanford University, was highly impressive for the Opals in last year’s FIBA Asia Cup,
Head Coach Sandy Brondello shared her excitement for the camp, which she will monitor remotely, due to WNBA coaching commitments.
“The coaching staff is excited to be adding Alex Bunton and Alanna Smith to our World Cup Squad along with the players that played on the China tour,” stated Brondello, who must also select one of three naturalised players from Mitchell, Griffin and Whitcomb.
SQUAD | Basketball Australia has announced the @ChemistWhouse Australian Opals squad, who will take part in a selection camp at the Centre of Excellence ahead of the @FIBA World Cup!
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) August 1, 2018
Full Squad: https://t.co/bE29UGecZ8#GoOpals #ChemistWarehouse pic.twitter.com/lipbO7PsoT
“After a successful 6 game tour of China, we enter the last Opals camp before the World Cup team will be selected. With the World Cup less than two months away, every training session is vital in order to be in our best shape and improve on areas at both ends of the floor.
“The coaches have highlighted a number of things to work on from the China tour and this selection camp gives us a great opportunity to do so,” concluded Brondello.
Meanwhile Marianna Tolo, Sara Blicavs and Kristy Wallace have all been ruled out of the World Cup due to injury.
FIBA
