Australian teams for Paris 2024 Olympics announced

Basketball Australia alongside the Australian Olympic Committee are today announcing the teams that will represent Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Twenty-eight basketballers have secured their place on the Australian Olympic Team with the Australian Olympic Committee announcing the Boomers, Opals and 3×3 Gangurrus squads for Paris 2024 today.

Lauren Jackson, Patty Mills and Joe Ingles will play at their fifth Olympic Games, joining Andrew Gaze as the only Australian basketballers to play at five Olympics.

Alongside Jackson, Cayla George and Marianna Tolo will play at their third Games, Captain Tess Madgen, Rebecca Allen, Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith and Steph Talbot return for their second, while Kristy Wallace, Sami Whitcomb, Jade Melbourne and Isobel Borlase all make their Olympic debut.

The Boomers team includes eight of the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallists. Captain Mills and Ingles play at their record equalling fifth Games, Matthew Dellavedova at his fourth, Dante Exum, Josh Green, Nick Kay, Jock Landale and Duop Reath return for their second, with Dyson Daniels, Josh Giddey, Will Magnay and Jack McVeigh making their Olympic debut.

Captain Anneli Maley, Lauren Mansfield, Marena Whittle and Alex Wilson will all make their Olympic debut as the Gangurrus contest the Olympic 3×3 Basketball competition for the first time, after the discipline made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.

Jackson’s selection marks an incredible return to the Olympic arena 12 years after playing at London 2012 – the fourth longest gap between Games appearances in Australian Olympic history. Jackson has medalled at each of her four Olympic appearances and was Australian Flag Bearer at her last Games in London 2012.

Grouped in Pool B, the World No.3 Opals will play host-nation France (No.7), Canada (No.5) and Nigeria (12).

The Boomers’ final opponents are still to be finalised, with the Australians drawn in Pool A with Canada, and the winner of the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in both Greece and Spain, due to finish tomorrow (AEST).

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.

Chef de Mission for the Australian Olympic Team in Paris Anna Meares announced the teams in Melbourne, with the announcement bringing the Australian Flag Bearers from the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympics together.

“The Opals and Boomers are an iconic part of Australia’s Olympic history and I am thrilled to announce the 24 athletes set to build on the legacy in Paris,” she said. “I’m also thrilled to name the four Gangurrus who will be our first ever Olympic 3×3 basketballers. Our Olympic basketball teams provide such a great energy to the wider Australian Olympic Team and bring so much joy to millions of Aussie fans back home.”

“These squads have a great mix of experience and youth, with leaders, legends and the next generation combining to give all three teams a great opportunity to go deep in the Paris 2024 tournaments. Congratulations to all 28 athletes selected today. I want to pay special tribute to Lauren, Patty and Joe for joining Andrew Gaze as basketball greats who will compete at five Olympic Games. To compete at such a high level for so long is an inspiration and we are grateful to see you proudly wear the green and gold in Paris.”

Opals Captain Tess Madgen drew on the legacy of the Opals to inspire the team going to Paris.

“I can’t believe I’m talking about going to my second Olympics, it feels very surreal,” she said. “I’m beyond honoured and excited to represent Australia, everyone who knows me will tell you that it brings me to tears, every time.We have the absolute best team of athletes, we are much more than a team, we are a sisterhood and we carry with us all the Opals from the past and we draw on their strength.  Every time I put on the green and gold it gives me goosebumps, it’s hard to really put into words what it means. We are all so grateful to be here and make no mistake we are very hungry so bring on Paris.”

Twenty-one-year-old Giddey will make his Olympic debut in Paris.

“It’s an absolute honour to represent my country,” he said. “To make my debut in Paris is a childhood dream and I can’t wait to get on the court in front of my family and friends who have all made this journey possible for me. To be part of the Boomers legacy, well it’s everything.  We have a really great group, we know what we need to do and we are just ready to get into it.”

Anneli 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.”

Basketball Australia CEO Matt Scriven celebrated the three teams named for Paris 2024.

“For the first time at the Olympics we will have three teams competing with the inclusion of 3×3 and that’s great for the growth of basketball,” he said. “We are extremely proud of our teams and the amount of work they do behind the scenes in the community to help grow our sport. The Olympics is the pinnacle for our athletes and we wish them all the very best as they wear the green and gold with pride.”