Basketball NSW is proud to announce that a number of our athletes and coaching staff have been selected to represent Australia in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This significant achievement highlights the talent and dedication of our representatives who will don the iconic Green & Gold.
Australian Opals:
The Seven Consulting Australian Opals will feature two outstanding NSW athletes: Kristy Wallace from Coffs Harbour Basketball and the legendary Lauren Jackson from Albury Basketball. Jackson’s inclusion marks a historic return to the Olympic stage, 12 years after her last appearance at London 2012. This selection places her among the elite athletes with the fourth-longest gap between Games appearances in Australian Olympic history. Jackson, a decorated player who has medalled in each of her four Olympic appearances, was the Australian Flag Bearer in 2012. Paris 2024 will be her fifth Olympic campaign. The Opals, ranked third in the world, are set to compete in Pool B against host-nation France (No.7), Canada (No.5), and Nigeria (No.12).
Australian Boomers:
Representing the Boomers, Nick Kay from Tamworth Basketball and Josh Green from Penrith/Hills Basketball will join the team, with Matt Nielsen, a former Penrith Basketball standout, serving as an Assistant Coach. The Boomers are placed in Pool A and will face Canada, with additional opponents to be determined from the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in Greece and Spain.
Australian Rollers:
The Rollers will see several familiar faces from NSW. Tristan Knowles and Luke Pople, both from Illawarra Basketball, are key players in the lineup. They will be supported by Assistant Coaches Brett Stibners and Darren Allie, also from Illawarra Basketball and Basketball NSW, respectively. Notably, Tristan Knowles is gearing up for his sixth Paralympic campaign, underscoring his enduring excellence in the sport. The Rollers have been placed in Group B and will be taking on the USA, Spain and the Netherlands, in their pursuit for a medal.
Basketball NSW also would like to extend our congratulations to Anneli Maley, our Pride in Basketball Ambassador, on her selection for the Gangurrus Women’s 3×3 team. We also recognise Shannon Seebohm, a former Newcastle Basketball Coach, for his inclusion as an Assistant Coach with the Opals.
Basketball NSW is incredibly proud of all our representatives and their contributions to Australian basketball. Their dedication and hard work exemplify the spirit of our sport, and we look forward to cheering them on as they compete on the world stage in Paris.