With an injury to Rebecca Allen, NBL1 National Champion Amy Atwell will now make her Olympic debut in Paris.
Basketball Australia announced late Thursday night that Allen’s scans revealed a high-grade hamstring injury, leaving the 31-year-old unable to attend what would have been her second Olympics.
>> Opals at the Olympics: How to watch & live scores
In her place, All-WNBL star Amy Atwell will be elevated from training player to Olympic debutant. The lights-out shooter is coming off her second season with the NBL1 South’s Bendigo Braves, averaging 27 points, five rebounds and 3.6 three-pointers per game.
She’ll join Jade Melbourne (Melbourne), Isobel Borlase (Forestville), Lauren Jackson (Albury-Wodonga) and Sami Whitcomb (Rockingham) as the fifth Opal to play in the 2024 NBL1 season.
Opals head coach Sandy Brondello explained that losing Allen is a tough loss, but Atwell will be able to provide just what they need.
"Bec is such a big part of our team and has been for a long time, we are all devastated for her," Brondello said.
"This injury has come at a really unfortunate time and the call had to be made upon medical advice. Unfortunately she was not going to recover in time to play in these Games.
"Amy Atwell has been part of this Olympic squad all year and with us in Spain for our practice matches. This group has a really strong bond and connection and we will lock in, stay focused and continue our preparation for game one against Nigeria."
While her Braves teammate, Ally Wilson, and three other NBL1 stars in Anneli Maley (Perth), Marena Whittle (Warwick) and Lauren Mansfield (North Adelaide) will represent the ‘Gangurrus’ in the country’s first Olympic 3x3 appearance.
The Bendigo Braves are one of two teams that have automatically qualified and will defend their Championship in the coming Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 National Finals.
Fresh off the Olympics, can Wilson and Atwell bring Bendigo the first back-to-back National Titles in history? Make sure to get your tickets for the basketball extravaganza on the Sunshine Coast here.
