SYDNEY (Australia) - Australia Opals greats Erin Phillips and Michele Timms, along with Australian artist Tones and I,  have joined the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Playmakers Program.

The objective of the local ambassador program, coined the Playmakers Program, is to help build momentum and increase fan engagement for the World Cup, and also ignite more interest in women's basketball Down Under. 

Phillips and Timms are among the most revered players in Australian basketball history.

Phillips, a member of the Australia team that won the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2006, also helped the Opals reach the Final of the 2008 Olympics and prevail in the Third-Place Game at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2014 in Turkey.  

The athletic and lightning-quick Phillips was an intense Opals playmaker

An amazing athlete, Phillips now stars in Australian Rules Football with the Port Adelaide Football Club in the AFLW.

Opals legend Timms was point guard for hosts Australia at the World Cup in 1994

Timms played for the Opals when the country staged the World Cup in 1994 Bronze Medal Game wins at the 1996 Olympics and FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 1998, and a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, among her many achievements. Timms was the first Australian to play professionally in Europe and the WNBA.

Tones and I, the professional name for Toni Watson, shot to worldwide fame with her breakout single Dance Monkey in 2019. The pop singer will perform at the World Cup's Opening Ceremony at Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday, September 22.

Pop artist 'Tones and I' will perform at the Opening Ceremony in September 

Among numerous other prominent figures to join the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Playmakers Program are former Opals Robyn Maher, Rachael Sporn and Renae Garlepp, Boomers greats Andrew Gaze and Chris Anstey and Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm.

The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Playmakers Program will continue to expand and utilize its members to increase awareness and interest in women's basketball and increase fan engagement. 

Australian profiles officially committed to the Playmakers Program include: 
Chris Anstey, former Australian Boomer 
Mark Beretta, Sunrise host 
Chloe Dalton, The Female Athlete Project Founder and AFLW player 
Renae Garlepp, former Australian Opal 
Andrew Gaze, formers Australian Boomer 
Shyla Heal, Australian Opal 
Jo Healy, basketball presenter 
Alyssa Healy, Australian cricketer 
Gail Henderson, former WNBL Champion 
Megan Hustwaite, basketball journalist 
Lauren Jackson, former Australian Opal and basketball great 
Annie La Fleur, former Australian Opal 
Ezi Magbegor, Australian Opal 
Robyn Maher, former Australian Opal  
Erin Phillips, former Australian Opal and AFLW star 
Rachael Sporn, former Australian Opal 
Michele Timms, former Australian Opal and basketball great 
Tones & I, musician 

FIBA