The Opals, currently ranked number 2 in the world by FIBA, will have big expectations placed on their shoulders after a quarter-final exit in Rio saw an incredible run of five-straight Olympic medals come to an end.
Of the 19 players heading into camp, only 12 will go on to compete in Tokyo, with the final team selected in late June.
“We are excited to have secured our spot for Tokyo and look forward to working hard over the next five months to ensure we are ready to play our best basketball,” says Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello, who will be coaching her first Olympics after attending three as a player.
“With that in mind, we are thrilled to name our Olympic Squad, which we believe to be very strong with great versatility, depth and size. The first step of our preparation will begin next month with a camp on the Gold Coast. The coaches and I are anticipating some tough decisions in naming the final team.”
Included in the roster are five current WNBA players: Allen, Cambage, Leilani Mitchell, Alanna Smith and Sami Whitcomb. Allen, who has now played five seasons in the WNBA, had a massive season in 2019 with the New York Liberty, having a career high 28-point game, and averaging 42.6% from beyond the perimeter.
Also having a big year is Cambage, who was named to the All-WNBA Second Team for 2019 and has ranked in 10th in the WNBA in scoring, seventh in rebounding, 11th in field goal percentage, and sixth in blocked shots.
15 WNBL players will feature on the squad, including Deakin Melbourne Boomers player Ezi Magbegor who was just awarded the WNBL Betty Watson Australian Youth Player of the Year.
Other big names from the WNBL include the likes of, Jenna O’Hea and Katie-Rae Ebzery who were named in the WNBL All Star First-Team, as well as Cayla George, Rebecca Cole, Stephanie Talbot and Alice Kunek who were named in the All Star Second-Team.
“Australian Olympic squad selection is a significant achievement for any athlete and the depth of talent in this group is outstanding,” says Jan Stirling, GM of High Performance. “It reflects the diligent work, commitment and support that their WNBL clubs provide them as they aspire to earn the right to wear green & gold.”
2020 Olympic Squad
| NAME | CURRENT TEAM |
| Rebecca Allen | Arka Gdynia Poland / New York Liberty |
| Sara Blicavs | Jayco Southside Flyers |
| Elizabeth Cambage | Shanxi Xing Rui Flame/ Las Vegas Aces |
| Rebecca Cole | Jayco Southside Flyers |
| Katie-Rae Ebzery | Perth Lynx |
| Darcee Garbin | JCU Townsville Fire |
| Cayla George | Deakin Melbourne Boomers |
| Kelsey Griffin | University of Canberra Capitals |
| Tessa Lavey | Bendigo Spirit |
| Tess Madgen | JCU Townsville Fire |
| Ezi Magbegor | Deakin Melbourne Boomers |
| Leilani Mitchell | Jayco Southside Flyers |
| Lauren Nicholson | Adelaide Lightning |
| Jenna O’Hea | Jayco Southside Flyers |
| Nicole Seekamp | Adelaide Lightning |
| Alanna Smith | Incheon Shinhan Bank S-Birds/ Phoenix Mercury |
| Stephanie Talbot | Adelaide Lightning/Minnesota Lynx |
| Marianna Tolo | University of Canberra Capitals |
| Sami Whitcomb | BLMA France / Seattle Storm |
The post appeared first on Basketball Victoria.
LIZ Cambage, Bec Allen and Jenna O’Hea headline a star-studded Australian Opals squad of 19 players announced today ahead of their first camp of 2020.
The post appeared first on Basketball Victoria.
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