Australian Opals Team for the FIBA Women’s World Cup announced
Basketball Australia named the Australian Opals squad for the 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup. The competition is set for Septmeber 22-30 in Tenerife, Spain.
Five players from Australia’s Rio Olympic team return including current WNBA teammates for the Dallas Wings, Liz Cambage and Cayla George, as well as fellow WNBA players Leilani Mitchell, Rebecca Allen and Stephanie Talbot.
Stanford’s returning leading scorer and rebounder Alanna Smith is also on the team. The rising senior made her debut with the national team last summer and won silver at the FIBA Asia Cup. She is the only college player on the squad.
The Opals are in preliminary ground Group B and will take on Nigeria, Argentina and Turkey in the pool stage.
The USA will compete in preliminary round Group D and will play Senegal, China and Latvia in pool play.
Group A includes Canada, France, Greece and South Korea. Group C features Belgium, Japan, Puerto Rico and Spain.
Australia’s schedule at the World Cup:
- September 22: Australia vs. Nigeria at 8.30pm
- September 23: Australia vs. Argentina at 8.00pm
- September 25: Australia vs. Turkey at 8.30pm
- September 26: Quarter-Final Qualifications
- September 28: Quarter-Finals
- September 29: Semi-Finals
- September 30: Medal Games
Australia’s 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup Team
| NAME | CLUB |
| Rebecca Allen | New York Liberty (WNBA) |
| Alexandra Bunton | Brydens Sydney Uni Flames |
| Elizabeth Cambage | Dallas Wings (WNBA) |
| Katie-Rae Ebzery | Perth Lynx |
| Cayla George | Deakin Melbourne Boomers |
| Tess Madgen | JCU Townsville Fire |
| Ezi Magbegor | Deakin Melbourne Boomers |
| Lauren Mansfield | Perth Lynx |
| Leilani Mitchell | University of Canberra Capitals |
| Jenna O’Hea | Deakin Melbourne Boomers |
| Alanna Smith | Stanford University |
| Stephanie Talbot | Deakin Melbourne Boomers |
| STAFF | ROLE |
| Sandy Brondello | Head Coach (Phoenix Mercury) |
| Cheryl Chambers | Assistant Coach |
| Paul Goriss | Assistant Coach |
| Chris Lucas | Assistant Coach |
| Gaylene Mackay | Physiotherapist |
| Danielle Barwood | Team Doctor |
| Trine Bourke | Massage Therapist |
| Trish Fallon | Team Leader |
