A 12-member Australian women’s basketball team for the Paris 2024 Olympics was announced in Melbourne on Sunday.
The Opals squad, announced by Australian Olympic Team’s Chef de Mission and former track cyclist Anna Meares, will be led by the 33-year-old Tess Madgen, who will be making her second Olympic appearance.
Lauren Jackson will play at her fifth Games, becoming the only Opals player to feature in five Olympics.
Lauren’s selection marks an incredible return to the Olympics 12 years after competing in London 2012, the fourth-longest gap between Olympic appearances in Australian history. Lauren has won a medal at each of her four Olympic Games and was the Australian flag bearer at her last appearance in London 2012.
Cayla George and Marianna Tolo will be participating in their third Olympics while Rebecca Allen, Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith, and Steph Talbot are set for their second. Kristy Wallace, Sami Whitcomb, Jade Melbourne, and Isobel Borlase will all be making their Olympic debuts.
The Opals, third in the women’s FIBA rankings, will be the top side in Group B ahead of Canada, who are fifth. France are world No. 7 while Nigeria are 12th.
The Australian women’s basketball team has appeared at the Olympic Games nine times previously, winning three silver medals and two bronze. However, Australia women’s last medal, a bronze, came in 2012.
Australia reached the quarter-finals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics but were beaten 79-55 by the USA.
Basketball at the Paris 2024 Olympics will be played from July 27 to August 10 at two different venues. The group phases will be played at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille while the knockout rounds will be played at the Bercy Arena in Paris.
Opals squad for Paris 2024 Olympics
Australian women’s basketball team: Lauren Jackson, Cayla George, Marianna Tolo, Tess Madgen, Rebecca Allen, Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith, Steph Talbot, Kristy Wallace, Sami Whitcomb, Jade Melbourne and Isobel Borlase.