AUS - WNBL Rookie of the Year Talbot to lead way for Gems in Lithuania

CANBERRA (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - When Australia take to the court in Lithuania at the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women, they will be looking to the newly-crowned WNBL Rookie of the Year, Stephanie Talbot, to provide the main thrust of their podium challenge.

The Adelaide Lightening young gun was handed the Betty Watson Trophy recently, having played alongside the 2012 Olympic trio of Laura Hodges, Jenni Screen and back-to-back WNBL MVP winner Suzy Batkovic.

And this wealth of learning experience from her club team-mates should certainly help at the tournament to be held from 18 to 28 July.

Wearing her heart on her sleeve, there are few rising stars in the women's game quite as animated as Talbot on the floor. But, that's no bad thing, as the side benefites from an infectious passion for the game and willingness to try and lead the team from the backcourt.

The first significant destination for Talbot & Co will be an extensive nine-game tour of China in May, an essential part of the preparation programme for Lithuania.

After holding a training camp last month, Basketball Australia and head coach Cheryl Chambers have announced the group which will make the trip, including no fewer than seven Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Centre of Excellence Scholarship holders.

The roster consists of: Louise Brown, Alicia Froling, Darcee Garbin, Tiana Mangakahia, Carley Mijovic, Vanessa Panousis, Maddison Penn, Casey Samuels, Lauren Scherf, Stephanie Talbot, Tahlia Tupea and Alex Wilson.

Following the China tour, the team will return to Australia, where a team to tour France in June will be selected.

The final roster will be confirmed via a selection camp that will take place from 29 June to 2 July at the National Centre of Excellence at the AIS in Canberra.

FIBA