Six debutantes have been named amongst an prolonged Opals squad that may battle for a spot on an Australian group set to deal with subsequent month’s Asia Cup with out its WNBA expertise — and World Cup bronze medal-winning coach Sandy Brondello.
LA Sparks WNBA draftee Shaneice Swain, WNBL Breakout Player of the Year Isobel Borlase and Swain’s fellow Nike Hoops Summit attendee are amongst these in line to put on the inexperienced and gold for the primary time in a 19-woman squad that might be trimmed to 12 within the lead as much as the event.
Shyla Heal returns to the Opals fold after her high-profile mid-season swap from Sydney to Townsville bore a WNBL title alongside fellow squad members Lauren Nicholson and emergent level guard Steph Reid.
Just 4 members of the World Cup bronze-medal successful Opals group are into consideration to return to the scene of their 2021 triumph, whereas WNBL Coach of the Year and Fire champion Shannon Seebohm will take the reins for Brondello, who’s head coach of New York Liberty.
“I’d like to congratulate all the players who have made the Asia Cup squad, it’s an important event on our calendar as we work towards qualifying for the Olympics,” Brondello mentioned.
“There is some great young talent coming through who will debut in Sydney and I’m excited to see how they will perform on the international stage.”
Most of the lacking bronzed Opals might be tied up with WNBA commitments in the course of the event, whereas legend Lauren Jackson retired from worldwide competitors, Sara Blicavs is taking a break forward of the WNBL season and Steph Talbot is recovering from an ACL.
Captain Tess Madgen, Darcee Garbin, Anneli Maley and Marianna Tolo will deliver the rose-gold expertise and the squad has been bolstered by the return of 2018 World Cup silver medallist Alex Bunton who might be an Opal for the primary time in 5 years.
The hole in elite abroad expertise might be stuffed by gun ahead Alice Kunek, contemporary off a championship-winning season with Sopron Basket in Hungary and gun guard Chantel Horvat, who most-recently performed in Poland.
It’s the primary time the Asia Cup might be held in Australia and Seebohm mentioned he was “honoured” to educate the Opals, particularly as event host.
The Aussies have been grouped with The Philippines, Chinese Taipei and third-ranked Japan. Games might be performed on the Quaycentre between June 26-July 2.
OPALS ASIA CUP EXTENDED SQUAD
Amy Atwell
Chloe Bibby
Isobel Borlase
Alex Bunton
Keely Froling
Darcee Garbin
Shyla Heal
Chantel Horvat
Alice Kunek
Tess Madgen
Anneli Maley
Tiana Mangakahia
Lauren Nicholson
Nyadiew Puoch
Stephanie Reid
Maddison Rocci
Lauren Scherf
Shaneice Swain
Marianna Tolo
COACHING PANEL
Shannon Seebohm, Head Coach
Cheryl Chambers, Assistant Coach
Renae Garlepp, Assistant Coach
Kristi Harrower, Assistant Coach
Originally revealed as Opals squad for 2023 girls’s Asia Cup confirmed: Six rookies named as Shyla Heal returns
Source: www.news.com.au
