Shyla Heal will get the very best likelihood of her worldwide profession but when she traces up for an understrength Opals aspect at basketball’s Asia Cup in Sydney from subsequent week.
The Opals will use the event to limber up forward of their 2024 Olympic marketing campaign however solely three of the 12-player squad introduced on Tuesday have been members of the staff that clinched bronze on the World Cup final yr.
Captain Tess Madgen, Anneli Maley and Darcee Garbin all return aiming to encourage a less-experienced Opals aspect to the rostrum.
The Opals are set to welcome debuts from Victorian duo Chloe Bibby and Chantel Horvat, and WA guard Amy Atwell.
The majority of the absentees, together with Bec Allen, are tied up with WNBA commitments, whereas small ahead Steph Talbot and centre Marianna Tolo are injured.
Talbot particularly is a big loss, having been named within the World Cup’s All-Star Five.
Comeback queen Lauren Jackson retired from the Opals after the World Cup and can also be not out there.
“Between both international and domestic basketball calendars, schedules do become very busy so we did face challenges with player availability as well as those trying to recover from injuries,” stated coach Shannon Seebohm, who takes the reins with Sandy Brondello busy teaching the New York Liberty within the WNBA.
“The positive is that this gives opportunities to other players, like our debutants, who have the chance to gain valuable experience against international players and represent Australia.”
The Asia Cup would be the first main worldwide event for 21-year-old guard Heal, who debuted within the World Cup qualifiers however was omitted from the staff for the event
The daughter of Australian basketball legend Shane, Heal is a highly-touted prospect however was minimize by the Chicago Sky after being taken with the eighth choose of the 2021 WNBA draft.
The guard had a promising WNBL marketing campaign final season regardless of leaving the Sydney Flames halfway by means of, occurring to win the title with the Townsville Fire.
Third within the FIBA rankings, the Australian ladies could once more come up towards China in what can be a rematch of their painful World Cup semi-final loss in Sydney final yr.
With the 2 groups in numerous teams, they won’t face one another until each make it out of the group levels.
The Asia Cup is a key qualification occasion for the 2024 Paris Olympics and so looms as splendid preparation for all sides.
The Opals will face group B opponents Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines earlier than probably transferring into the play offs.
The 2023 Asia Cup might be held in Sydney for the primary time from Monday with a winner to be topped on July 2.
OPALS ASIA CUP SQUAD: Amy Atwell, Chloe Bibby, Keely Froling, Darcee Garbin, Shyla Heal, Chantel Horvat, Alice Kunek, Tess Madgen, Anneli Maley, Lauren Nicholson, Maddy Rocci, Lauren Scherf.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
