SYDNEY (Australia) - There is a lot of glitz and glamor in big-time basketball and Australia's Kristy Wallace has experienced a lot of that in a standout American collegiate career with the Baylor Bears and this season with the WNBA's Atlanta Dream.

She's about to jump into the bright lights of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney, which tips off on September 22, after being named in the Opals team for the event. 

"I'm really excited," she said. "It's just an honor to be a part of this squad, and especially to have the World Cup on home soil."

For Wallace,  a star in the Australia team that finished third at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2015, taking part in the Sydney World Cup wouldn't have seemed realistic a few years ago when she suffered a second right ACL tear in less than a year.

Seven years ago and before her knee injuries, Wallace played for the Gems at the U19 Women's World Cup

Now 26, Wallace first tore her right ACL late in the regular season of her senior year at Baylor, in March of 2018, robbing her of a chance to win the NCAA title that year. She had been spectacular, too, with 155 assists and an average of 12.9 points per game earning her spots on the All-Big 12 First team and Big 12 All-Defensive Team.

Following a grueling nine months of surgery and rehab, she suffered the injury again soon after returning to the court. Playing in the WNBL with the Canberra Capitals, Wallace went down and once again faced a long road to recovery.

Wallace made it back, though, and has since put in a couple of good stints with the Opals.

She helped Australia finish third at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2021 in Jordan, coming off the bench and averaging just over 13 minutes per game. Australia bounced back from a 67-65 defeat to Japan in the Semi-Finals and beat Korea in the Third-Place Game, 88-58.

"Yea, that was fun," she said. "I just remember how awesome it was to be a part of a good team, really good people. We kind of threw it all together because it was during Covid times, but to come away from that tournament with a medal was really exciting. I was really happy with our performance and how the girls went."

Wallace then played at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, where Australia overcame Brazil and Korea, but lost to Serbia.

Wallace's toughness at point guard makes her a natural fit for the Australia team

The Opals will take on Serbia again at the World Cup in Group B, which is like a group of death. Japan, Canada, France and Mali are also in the pool.

"We have a tough pool," Wallace said. "France and Serbia are definitely tough teams, so it will be a really good hit-out with them. I'm just hoping we can come out ready to go."

"Just to put on the green and gold jersey is such a privilege"

Group A also has some very good teams. It is made up of Belgium, USA, China, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Puerto Rico and Korea.

"Fingers crossed, I think it's important to dream big," Wallace said. "The gold medal would be the goal. But we're obviously hoping we can just get on the podium or just compete with some of the best teams in the world.

"Having already played with some of the players that are going to be there in the WNBA is an advantage, having been able to see them before. But also, it will be a completely different setting for them, different teams.

"Playing for your country, it's going to be different. They're going to give us their best shot and we're going to give them our best shot and we'll see what it happens."

Making the World Cup roster is special for two other reasons.

"To have (our) fans out there and especially to have Lauren Jackson back in the team, that's really exciting times," Wallace said.

Jackson, one of the Opals legends that won the World Cup in 2006 and a player that many call one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, had to retire from the game due to injuries but has made a comeback and is in the team.

Jackson helped Australia win the 2006 Women's Basketball World Cup. Now, Wallace will be her teammate

Wallace says Jackson was her idol.

"Lauren was definitely one of them, so to have the opportunity to play with her will be incredible," she said. "Penny Taylor was also an idol, Kristi Harrower, Erin Phillips. They're all Australian greats, so it will just be a privilege to play with Lauren. She was someone I watched growing up."

As for playing at home, Wallace said: "It's always good, always an advantage playing on your home court.

"Just to put on the green and gold jersey is such a privilege. I will be really excited to put the jersey on and play in Sydney at the World Cup."

FIBA