NBL1 Opals announced ahead of FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournament

An experienced Australian Opals line-up full of NBL1 stars has been selected to compete at the upcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournament in Belgrade, Serbia from 10-13 February.

Led by the likes of Cairns Dolphins recruit Cayla George and Frankston star Darcee Garbin, the 12-strong squad will feature a mix of familiar and fresh faces.

Impressing selectors throughout the current WNBL season and at the Sydney-based Opals camp this week, Southern Districts' Maddy Rocci is set to make her senior Opals debut.

With a selection of 16 athletes in attendance at this week’s training camp, condensing the team to the final 12 was a challenge for Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello and the selection team.

"We’ve learnt valuable lessons from 2021, we’ve reset, and it’s been a fantastic camp," she said.

"It’s still very fluid but we’ve got a good mixture of veteran players, the core group who were in Tokyo but we also have some new faces as well so we’re excited to integrate them into the team and start our build-up to the World Cup."

Returning to the Opals uniform, Olympians Sara Blicavs (Geelong Supercats) and Tess Madgen (Bendigo Braves) will reunite with Europe-based Opal Marianna Tolo (Knox Raiders) to don the green and gold once again.

Former Supercat Ezi Magbegor had an injury at training on Wednesday afternoon and whilst all scans and medical cleared her to play, the decision was made that she will not travel with the team for this event.

After a series of interrupted seasons due to injuries, Kristy Wallace’s resilience and determination to return to the elite level is a story of inspiration, spurred by her return to the sport via NBL1 South.

Stringing together a run of consistent performances over the past year, highlighted by her FIBA Asia Cup Opals debut, Wallace’s inclusion in the qualifying team comes as a true reward for effort.

Joining Wallace in the team is dual FIBA Asia Cup bronze medallist Darcee Garbin, after a stand-out 2021 campaign with the national team and in the WNBL.

"I’m so grateful to be selected as part of this Opals team and honoured to represent Australia for the second time," Wallace said.

"My basketball journey has been a long one, full of highs and lows so I’m just really happy to be playing consistent basketball again and to have this opportunity. It’s truly incredible,"

FIBA Qualifying Tournament Schedule:
February 10: Australia v Brazil
February 12: Australia v Serbia
February 13: Australia v Korea.

As the host nation of the FIBA Women’s World Cup this September, the Opals have automatically qualified for the event.

FULL SQUAD:
BEC ALLEN
SARA BLICAVS (Geelong Supercats)
DARCEE GARBIN (Frankston Blues)
CAYLA GEORGE (Cairns Dolphins)
SHYLA HEAL 
TESS MADGEN (Bendigo Braves)
MADDY ROCCI (Southern Districts Spartans)
ALANNA SMITH
STEPH TALBOT
MARIANNA TOLO (Knox Raiders)
KRISTY WALLACE (Melbourne Tigers)
SAMI WHITCOMB

FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022:
The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 will be held at Sydney Olympic Park from Thursday, 22 September to Saturday, 1 October.

Returning to local shores for the first time since Australia hosted in 1994, FIBA's flagship women's event will see 12 powerhouse basketball nations compete in 38 games across 10 days of action, all vying for the coveted World title.

The Opals, who are automatic qualifiers alongside rivals Team USA, have medalled in five of the last six World Cups, including a gold medal in 2006.