Opals reveal candidates for Stateside selection camp
CANBERRA (FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017) - Australia have named a 21-player squad for a preparation camp in Phoenix as the countdown continues to their first footsteps in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup.
The Opals are heading to the USA between June 25 and July 3 so new head coach Sandy Brondello can start some work with her players - even though she will not be at the helm when the action gets underway in Bengaluru due to her WNBA commitments.
That task of overseeing matters at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup will fall on the shoulders of assistant coaches Paul Goriss and Cheryl Chambers.
| Australia 21-player squad for preparation camp | |||
| Abby Bishop | Sara Blicavs | Stephanie Blicavs | Alex Bunton |
| Katie-Rae Ebzery | Maddie Garrick | Kelsey Griffin | Laura Hodges |
| Natalie Hurst | Rachel Jarry | Alice Kunek | Tessa Lavey |
| Lauren Mansfield | Carley Mijovic | Jenna O’Hea | Erin Phillips |
| Alanna Smith | Belinda Snell | Marianna Tolo | Louella Tomlinson |
| Kristy Wallace | |||
A mix of experience and young talent are in the squad, with six members from the team that participated at the Rio Olympics in the shape of Tessa Lavey, Rachel Jarry, Laura Hodges, Katie-Rae Ebzery, Erin Phillips and Marianna Tolo.
There are also a multitude of upcoming 2017-18 WNBL players in the likes of Abby Bishop, Sara and Steph Blicavs, Maddie Garrick, Jenna O’Hea, Louella Tomlinson, Alice Kunek, Carley Mijovic and Kelsey Griffin.
Rounding out the team are Natalie Hurst, Alex Bunton and Lauren Mansfield who have all competed for Australia at the World University Games while Hurst is also a FIBA Oceania Women’s Championship gold medal list.
OPALS | A squad of 21 will head to Phoenix for a selection camp ahead of the @FIBA Women’s Asia Cup: https://t.co/4A5b8LLYFL #GoOpals pic.twitter.com/lzxMkzCwHK
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) May 24, 2017
Alanna Smith and Kristy Wallace are FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship bronze medalists and three-time Olympic medal list Belinda Snell.
"The aim of the camp is to introduce the players to the concepts and game style that Sandy will install into the Opals program," said Gorris. "It also gives the coaching staff the opportunity to evaluate the players’ skill set that will help the team be successful in Bangalore.
"With the Olympic experience of players such as Snell, Phillips and Hodges alongside WNBA and European players in Jarry, O’Hea and Hurst, it will be a very tough and competitive camp. The young brigade is also coming through in the form of Wallace and Smith who have both had outstanding years at USA colleges while the WNBL contingent have been recognized for their form and performances during last season."
Australia have been drawn into Group B where they will face Korea, Philippines and Japan during the opening phase.
FIBA
