Victorian quartet Sara Blicavs, Ezi Magbegor, Bec Allen and Anneli Maley have been selected in the Australian Opals team for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Sydney.
Announced this morning, Victorian Olympians Sara Blicavs, Ezi Magbegor and Bec Allen as well as WNBL MVP Anneli Maley will be part of a star-studded squad taking on the world on home soil, including the major addition of Australian all-time great Lauren Jackson.
41-year-old Lauren Jackson AO OLY will return to the Opals nine years after retiring from international basketball and was overwhelmed to hear of her selection.
“There were a lot of emotions when Sandy rang me, I had a bit of a cry to be honest,” Jackson said. “I have been working my body hard, and I didn’t honestly know if it was going to hold up to my intense training regime, but it has and I’m feeling good.
“The whole team have been so welcoming and made me feel at home, the age difference disappears as soon as I step onto the court.
“I believe in this team and what we can achieve, if I can play a part if getting us onto the podium then the hard work is all worthwhile.”
Lauren Jackson has earned her place in a fifth FIBA Women’s World Cup, after last playing for the Opals in 2010 World Cup in the Czech Republic. Bec Allen and Cayla George will return for their third World Cup appearance, Marianna Tolo, Steph Talbot, Sami Whitcomb, Tess Madgen and Ezi Magbegor will return for their second appearance while Sara Blicavs, Darcee Garbin, Anneli Maley and Kristy Wallace will debut.
The squad is filled with international superstars, with Allen (New York Liberty), Magbegor (Seattle Storm), Whitcomb (New York Liberty), Wallace (Atlanta Dream) and Talbot (Seattle Storm) all currently playing in the WNBA.
Sandy Brondello will take the reins for the second time as head coach in Sydney following her silver finish in 2018. She was faced with a tough selection decision.
“Making the final cut to 12 is always difficult with so many great athletes pushing for selection” Brondello said. “The training camp in New York demonstrated how much each of these athletes wanted to compete on home soil, the competition for a spot on the team was fierce.
“Of course, the inclusion of Lauren is the talking point but from my perspective, she has put in the work and deserves to be here, she will add another dimension to our team dynamic.”
Tess Madgen, who is part of the Opals Leadership Group with Steph Talbot and Sami Whitcomb, could not be prouder of the team that will head to Sydney.
“This team has such a tight bond; we are a true sisterhood, and we continue to honour the legacy of the Opals who have played before us. To play in Sydney is a dream come true and I know the whole team is looking forward to being there in front of our family, friends and fans. There are only 42 days to go until tip-off so the excitement is really building now.”
The Opals aim to add to their rich World Cup legacy, having won silver in 2018, bronze in 2014 and gold in 2006.
The Opals are ranked number three in the world, and have drawn Group C, with pool matches against France, Serbia, Japan, Mali and Canada tipping off on 22 September in Sydney.
The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will be played in Sydney from Thursday 22 September-Saturday 1 October. Tickets are available via this link.
AUSTRALIAN OPALS FIBA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WORLD CUP TEAM
BEC ALLEN
SARA BLICAVS
EZI MAGBEGOR
ANNELI MALEY
Darcee Garbin
Cayla George
Lauren Jackson
Tess Madgen
Steph Talbot
Marianna Tolo
Kristy Wallace
Sami Whitcomb
