CANBERRA (FIBA World Championship for Women) - There could be a new face in the Opals' line-up when they step out at the FIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey later this year after American-born Leilani Mitchell was named in a 21-strong squad to attend a training camp next week.

In what could prove to be a real coup for head coach Brendan Joyce, the Dandenong Rangers star has pledged her allegiance to Australia having been born to an Australian mother and American father.

"This is truly exciting news to have someone of the calibre of Leilani commit to the Opals programme," said the play-caller.

"This will only benefit the team and add to the competition for places.

"To play in the WNBA for the past six years, you have to be a very good player.

"She plays with a lot of composure, can shoot the three-pointer and we all see how well she has been playing in the WNBL," added Joyce.

Mitchell is joined by three-time Olympian Laura Hodges, along with fellow London bronze medallists Jenni Screen, Abby Bishop and Rachel Jarry, who is also now a reigning WNBA champion.

Joyce is also looking to the future and has included exciting youngsters Carley Mijovic, Tessa Lavey and Lauren Scherf in his squad for the camp at the Basketball Australia National Centre of Excellence.

"This camp is a great opportunity for these younger players and players on the fringe of the Opals programme to come in a get the chance to impress and put their names up for consideration," he said.

"The camp gives us the opportunity to introduce our style of play and expose players to what the Opals are about from a strategic and cultural point of view."

Joyce also claimed the emergence of the likes of Kelly Wilson should provide players on the fringes with some added confidence and desire.

"When we brought in Kelly Wilson, who hadn't played for Australia since the 2007 World University Games, it created a lot of excitement, a lot of enthusiasm in the group and depth," he explained.

"The addition of new players created healthy competition within the team and that helps create an environment where everyone is pushing each other to improve."

Foreign-based Opals including Lauren Jackson, Liz Cambage, Belinda Snell, Marianna Tolo and Cayla Francis are unavailable due to their club commitments, while Penny Taylor and Erin Phillips are injured.

FIBA