INJURY FORCES CHANGE TO CHEMIST WAREHOUSE AUSTRALIAN OPALS FIBA WORLD CUP TEAM

Lavey, a 2014 World Championship bronze medalist and Rio Olympian, is currently on her way to join the team in Spain.

The Opals will play two final warm-up games against China and Spain or Japan as well as a closed pick-up game against the USA as their final preparation before the FIBA World Cup gets underway on September 22 in Tenerife.

Mansfield played a key role off the bench in Australia’s silver medal at last year’s FIBA Asia Cup but plantar fasciitis has forced her to head home for treatment before the start of the 2018 Chemist Warehouse WNBL season with the Perth Lynx.

“We are all so disappointed for Lauren but we know Tessa will be ready to fight and do whatever is asked of her,” said Opals head coach Sandy Brondello.

“Tessa’s athleticism, leadership and point guard ability will be a great asset for us. Her familiarity with the system and team mates will also enable a smooth transition as we move into the World Cup.”

Placed into Group B, the Chemist Warehouse Australian Opals (ranked fourth in the world) will take on Nigeria (ranked 34^th), Argentina (ranked 15^th) and Turkey (ranked 7^th) in the pool stage of the FIBA Women’s World Cup.

If they finish on top of Group B, Australia will automatically advance to the Quarter-Finals but a second or third-placed finish will see them placed into a Quarter-Final qualification game while the team that finishes fourth in the group will be knocked out.

FOX SPORTS Australia announced a landmark broadcast deal last year that included exclusive rights to the FIBA Women’s World Cup which means every game of the Chemist Warehouse Opals tournament will be shown live.

The Chemist Warehouse Australian Opals Schedule for the FIBA Women’s World Cup (all times AEST):

September 22: Australia vs. Nigeria at 8.30pm
September 23: Australia vs. Argentina at 8.00pm
September 25: Australia vs. Turkey at 8.30pm
September 26: Quarter-Final Qualifications
September 28: Quarter-Finals
September 29: Semi-Finals
September 30: Medal Games

The Chemist Warehouse Australian Opals Team for the FIBA Women’s World Cup:

NAME	TEAM
Rebecca Allen	New York Liberty
Alex Bunton	Brydens Sydney Uni Flames
Liz Cambage	Dallas Wings
Katie-Rae Ebzery	Perth Lynx
Cayla George	Deakin Melbourne Boomers / Dallas Wings
Tessa Lavey	Jayco Dandenong Rangers
Tess Madgen	JCU Townsville Fire
Ezi Magbegor	Deakin Melbourne Boomers
Jenna O’Hea	Deakin Melbourne Boomers
Alanna Smith	Stanford University
Stephanie Talbot	Deakin Melbourne Boomers / Phoenix Mercury
Sami Whitcomb	Seattle Storm

 

Suffering a cruel injury blow with a week remaining until the FIBA Women’s World Cup, Lauren Mansfield has been replaced by Tessa Lavey in the Chemist Warehouse Australian Opals team.