Basketball Australia has today announced the Seven Consulting Australian Opals squad for this year’s Paris Olympic Games.
The 26-player squad will participate in training camps, tours and fixtures both domestically and internationally against other Olympic-bound countries in the lead up to the Games which begin on July 26.
The final-12 player team for Paris will be chosen from the extended squad.
The squad features 14 combined Olympic Games appearances, 11 members of the FIBA 2022 World Cup team which won a bronze medal as well as young guns Jade Melbourne and Isobel Borlase who helped the Opals qualify for Paris at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in February.
College star Georgia Amoore, who played for Virginia Tech and is eligible to be selected in April’s WNBA draft, has earned selection in her first Opals squad.
The squad includes 17 players who competed in the 2023-24 Cygnett WNBL season and a strong contingent of athletes currently playing in Europe including Tokyo Olympians Marianna Tolo and Ezi Magbegor. Chloe Bibby was this month crowned Polish League MVP.
Tokyo Olympian Sara Blicavs underwent surgery this week and we wish her all the very best for her recovery.
Last week’s Olympic draw conducted by Opals legend and former Australian captain Penny Taylor in Switzerland has Australia grouped in Pool B alongside host nation France, Canada and Nigeria.
Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello said selecting the squad was an important step in preparations for Paris.
“It’s always an exciting time to announce an Olympic squad and I congratulate all the athletes. They all know what it means to play for Australia, and they all want the opportunity to represent their country at an Olympics,” Brondello said.
“Our squad is full of exceptional talent, and they will make the decision to pick a final 12 very difficult. We have Canada, Nigeria and France in our pool, so we are focused on that and what is required to get onto the podium.”
| Seven Consulting Opals Paris Olympic Squad | ||
| Rebecca Allen | Shyla Heal | Maddison Rocci |
| Zitina Aokuso | Lauren Jackson | Lauren Scherf |
| Georgia Amoore | Alice Kunek | Alex Sharp |
| Amy Atwell | Tess Madgen | Alanna Smith |
| Chloe Bibby | Ezi Magbegor | Stephanie Talbot |
| Isobel Borlase | Anneli Maley | Marianna Tolo |
| Keely Froling | Jade Melbourne | Kristy Wallace |
| Darcee Garbin | Lauren Nicholson | Sami Whitcomb |
| Cayla George | Stephanie Reid | |
*All players are subject to availability and fitness