Image credit: Australian Olympic Committee
The Women’s 3×3 Basketball Team are set to make history in Paris, as the Gangurrus contest the Olympic 3×3 Basketball competition for the first time, with the Boomers and Opals squads also announced.
Captain Anneli Maley leads the team, with Birmingham 2022 bronze medallists Alex ‘Ally’ Wilson, Lauren Mansfield, and Marena Whittle joining her on the court.
All four players will make their Olympic debut, with the format itself only appearing on the sport programme for the second time following its debut in Tokyo.
The Gangurrus will face off against all other nations contesting the 8-team 3×3 tournament, taking on Canada, Germany, China, USA, Azerbaijan, Spain, and France.
Meanwhile Melbourne 2006 gold medallist Lauren Jackson will make her own history, becoming the first female and one of only four Australian basketballers to play at five Olympics.
Joining her in the illustrious club are Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists Patty Mills and Joe Ingles.
Along with Mills and Ingles are an additional six members of the Tokyo Team, with Matthew Dellavedova playing at his fourth Games, Dante Exum, Josh Green, Nick Kay, Jock Landale and Duop Reath returning for their second, and Dyson Daniels, Josh Giddey, Will Magnay and Jack McVeigh making their Olympic debut.
Alongside Jackson are Gold Coast 2018 gold medallists Cayla George, Ezi Magbegor and Steph Talbot, who are joined by Marianna Tolo, Tess Madgen, Rebecca Allen, Alanna Smith, Kristy Wallace, Sami Whitcomb, Jade Melbourne and Isobel Borlase.
Maley said Aussie fans are going to fall in love with the 3×3 format.
“I’m so incredibly proud to be going to the Olympics,” she said. “This is the 3×3 Olympic debut for Australia and to be part of that history is absolutely wild.
“Our team is incredible, we have overcome so many challenges to get here so we won’t be leaving anything on the court in Paris. This is a dream for me and for those who don’t know about 3×3 – tune in you’re gonna love it. Bring on Paris I can’t wait.”
The 3×3 Basketball competition will be held from Tuesday 30 July to Monday 5 August at the La Concorde venue in Paris.
With thanks to the Australian Olympic Committee and Basketball Australia.