Writing and photographs by Dean Andrews
The Australian Opals will be one of four teams competing at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belem, Brazil from 8 to 11 February Brazil time along with Germany, Serbia and host nation Brazil. An experienced Australian team includes nine players that have represented the Opals in multiple major championships – Lauren Jackson (9 major championships), Cayla George (5), Marianna Tolo (4), Bec Allen (4), Tess Madgen (3), Ezi Magbegor (3), Sara Blicavs (2), Alanna Smith (2) and Sami Whitcomb (2).
Three players without major championship experience have been named in the Opals team – point guards Jade Melbourne and Steph Reid along with guard Isobel Borlase. Melbourne was a member of the Opals bronze medal winning team at Asia Cup 2021 in Jordan and played her debut WNBA season with Seattle Storm in 2023. In late May 2022 Reid made her debut for the Opals in a three-game friendly series against Japan held in New South Wales. Reid was a member of the Opals team for a five-game tour against the Chinese national women’s team in late August and early September 2023.
Steph Reid making a lay up for Townsville Fire against Bendigo Spirit at Geelong Arena on 7 January 2024
Borlase is the only member of Australia’s 12 player team for the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 that is yet to make her Opals debut. From 31 March – 5 April 2023 Borlase attended an Opals Training Camp in Canberra. Due to a back injury Borlase was restricted to being a spectator for much of the camp, however she was able to learn more about the Opals program and got to know fellow Opals squad members better. In an article published by Basketball Australia in May 2023 Borlase commented “I think coming here to the CoE again and being around such elite people, has been really helpful and you get to build relationships that will last forever. Everyone’s really supportive here. We had a culture meeting on the first day and you really felt how connected all the girls are and how much this means to them.”1
Isobel Borlase playing for Adelaide Lightning against Melbourne Boomers on 17 December 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
The following information is included below on the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2024:
- General information on the four FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2024.
- Details of how the four nations competing in Belem, Brazil – Australia, Brazil, Germany and Serbia qualified for the OQT.
- Profiles on all 12 members of the Australian Opals OQT 2024 team and Head Coach Sandy Brondello.
FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2024
16 nations will compete in four FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 from 8 to 11 February to determine which nations will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Each of the four tournaments will have four nations competing to decide the 10 nations that will join the two automatic qualifiers in the field of 12 nations at the Olympic Games. USA have qualified due to being the gold medal winners at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Sydney and France qualify due to being the hosts of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Location Nations competing
Xi’An, China China (World Ranking 2), New Zealand (23), France* (7), Puerto Rico (12)
Antwerp, Belgium Senegal (20), USA^ (1), Belgium (6), Nigeria (11)
Belem, Brazil Brazil (8), Germany (25), Serbia (10), Australia (3)
Sopron, Hungary Spain (4), Hungary (19), Canada (5), Japan (9)
*Automatically qualified as host of the Olympic Games
^Automatically qualified as gold medallists at the 2022 World Cup
FIBA World Rankings are as at 21 August 2023 after the Women’s Continental Championships
Three nations from each of the four Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2024 will qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games. The nations that finish in the top three at the tournaments held in Belem, Brazil and Sopron, Hungary will qualify for the Olympic Games and the last placed nation in both of these groups will miss out. If USA or France finish in the top three the nation that finishes last in their group will miss out on an Olympic Games berth and the top three nations will qualify. If automatic qualifiers the United States of America or France finish last in their group the top two teams in their respective group would qualify for the Olympic Games and the third ranked nation would miss out. The 2024 Olympic Games will be held in Paris from 26 July to 11 August.
The 12 player Seven Consulting Australian Opals team for the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 includes four players that are playing / have played in Europe in 2023/24 – Rebecca Allen and Marianna Tolo (both Spain), Ezi Magbegor (Czech Republic) and Alanna Smith (Turkey).
Eight players in the Seven Consulting Australian Opals team for the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 have played in the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season in Australia. Sydney Flames have two players in the Opals team with more than 600 games WNBL experience between them – Cayla George and Tess Madgen. Townsville Fire guard duo Steph Reid and Sami Whitcomb are both in the Australian team. Four WNBL teams have one representative each in the Opals OQT team, Adelaide Lightning – Isobel Borlase, Melbourne Boomers – Sara Blicavs, Southside Flyers – Lauren Jackson and UC Capitals – Jade Melbourne. Bendigo Spirit and Perth Lynx are the only two WNBL teams that aren’t represented in the squad. Three players in the Opals OQT 2024 team rank in the WNBL’s top 10 for points per game in 2023/24, the two youngest members of the team Isobel Borlase and Jade Melbourne along with Sami Whitcomb who was a starter on the Opals bronze medal winning team at World Cup 2022.
Jade Melbourne with UC Capitals Head Coach Kristen Veal on the sidelines during UC Capitals game against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 6 January 2024
The New Zealand team attempting to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time since 2008 at OQT 2024 in Xi’An China includes four players on a 2023/24 WNBL roster, Melbourne Boomers forward Tera Reed and Bendigo Spirit trio Esra McGoldrick, McKenna Dale and Ritorya Tamilo. Reed has been one of the most accurate shooters from the perimeter in the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season, making 22 of 53 three-pointers at an accuracy of 41.5%, ranked fourth among players that have had at least 10 three-point attempts.
Tera Reid shooting a three-pointer for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 21 January 2024
Due to injury New Zealand will be without their two leading scorers from Asia Cup 2023, Charlisse Leger-Walker and Reed’s Melbourne Boomers teammate Penina Davidson. In late January 2024 Leger-Walker playing college basketball for Washington State injured her ACL and requires a knee reconstruction. Davidson injured her calf in a WNBL game for Melbourne Boomers against Townsville Fire on 13 January. Guy Molloy has been the Head Coach of the New Zealand Tall Ferns since 2018. Molloy is in his 15th season as a Head Coach in the WNBL. In 2023/24 Molloy is coaching a Sydney Flames team which includes two Opals OQT 2024 team members, Tess Madgen and Cayla George.
A total of 13 players that are competing in the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season will play in an OQT 2024 comprised of eight Australians, four New Zealand players and Canadian centre Emily Potter. As the starting centre for Perth Lynx Potter is averaging 12.5 points and 7.2 rebounds (ranked 9th in the WNBL) per game.
Emily Potter making a jump shot for Perth Lynx against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 31 January 2024
A total of 24 players with WNBL experience will be competing at a FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 comprised of 13 current players and 11 players that played in the WNBL in at least one season before 2023/24.
The Opals quartet that played in the WNBL before 2023/24 are Bec Allen, Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith and Marianna Tolo. New Zealand Tall Ferns captain Stella Beck and teammate Lauryn Hippolite have played in the WNBL. Five players competing at a OQT 2024 have played in the WNBL as an import before 2022/23, Belgium guard Julie Vanloo, USA duo Ariel Atkins and Jackie Young along with Canadian pair Kayla Alexander and Bridget Carleton. Playing for Perth Lynx in 2021/22 Young ranked third in the WNBL with 17.8 points per game and was selected on the All-WNBL First Team.
Jackie Young playing for the Perth Lynx against the Melbourne Boomers at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (GRISS), Traralgon on 6 February 2022
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On the eve of the 2023/24 season commencing Milestones and Misses published a Comprehensive guide to player movement and main rosters for the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season. The comprehensive guide provides details on the player movement and main rosters from a league wide perspective and then looks at these two aspects for each of the eight WNBL clubs. The club section includes player profiles on every player on a main roster as at 30 October 2023. A profile on each club’s Head Coach is also included. A link is below:
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FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024, Belem, Brazil
Nation World Ranking
Australia 3
Brazil 8
Serbia 10
Germany 25
In the most recent FIBA Women’s World Rankings updated on 21 August 2023 the Australian Opals were ranked third in the world behind USA and China in first and second place respectively. The top five positions in the rankings are unchanged from the previous edition with Spain fourth and Canada fifth.
One of the nations the Opals will play in Belem, Serbia have dropped two spots in the FIBA rankings from 8th to 10th. Host nation for the Qualifying Tournament, Brazil have risen seven positions from 15th to 8th to be the second highest ranked nation at the OQT, five spots behind Australia and two spots ahead of Serbia. The fourth ranked nation at the tournament, Germany are also on the rise having jumped 11 positions from 36th to 25th in the most recent rankings.
To progress to Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 Australia needed to finish in the top four from a field of eight nations at FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023 held on home soil in Sydney from Monday 26 June to Sunday 2 July. It was the second time in 10 months that Sydney hosted a FIBA women’s tournament, with the Opals having won a bronze medal at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 held in Sydney from 22 September to 1 October.
Seven members of the Opals extended squad announced in January 2023 were unable to be considered for Asia Cup 2023 due to their commitments with WNBA teams. The players in this category were Seattle Storm trio Ezi Magbegor, Sami Whitcomb and Jade Melbourne along with Alanna Smith (Chicago Sky), Bec Allen (Connecticut Sun), Kristy Wallace (Indiana Fever) and Cayla George (Las Vegas Aces). Steph Talbot was on the sidelines due to an ACL injury suffered in February 2023 and Sara Blicavs was taking a break from basketball and unavailable for Asia Cup 2023.
Australian Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello was unavailable to coach the Seven Consulting Opals at the 2023 Asia Cup due to her commitments as Head Coach of New York Liberty in the WNBA. Shannon Seebohm was the Head Coach of the Opals at Asia Cup 2023 and was the Head Coach of the Championship winning Townsville Fire during the 2022/23 Cygnett WNBL season.
The Seven Consulting Australian Opals had a training camp in Sydney just over a week before the start of FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023. Due to injury Marianna Tolo (foot) and Steph Reid (calf) were unable to be selected for the tournament. Three players from the Opals bronze medal winning team at World Cup 2022 – Tess Madgen, Darcee Garbin and Anneli Maley suited up in the green and gold again at Asia Cup 2023.
Australia won two of their three Group B games at Asia Cup 2023 with the loss being to Japan. In a qualification semi final game Australia played Korea with the winner to progress to the semi finals and book their ticket to OQT 2024 whilst the team that lost would not make the Olympics and would play off for fifth place at Asia Cup 2023. Australia outscored Korea 31-16 in the first quarter and went on to have a 91-64 victory to qualify for the Asia Cup 2023 semi finals and advance to OQT 2024. Against Korea Opals captain Madgen scored an equal game-high 14 points, took six rebounds and made a team-high five assists.
The Opals won four of their six games at FIBA Asia Cup 2023 and finished third with China winning the gold medal and Japan taking home silver. Each of Australia’s victories were by at least 20 points and the Opals lowest losing margin was in a semi final against China by 14 points, 60-74. China were closer to full strength than the Opals and their team included two starters that played in the WNBA in 2023 – Xu Han (New York Liberty) and Meng Li (Washington Mystics). After Asia Cup 2023 Han and Li returned to their WNBA teams. Forward Alice Kunek made a significant impact in her Opals return at Asia Cup 2023 to average 12.0 points and 25.9 minutes per game to lead Australia in both categories and earnt selection in the tournament’s All-Star 5.
Nine players at Aisa Cup 2023 averaged at least 17.0 minutes per game for the Opals at Asia Cup 2023 with Madgen, Garbin and Maley joined in this category by Alice Kunek, Maddison Rocci, Lauren Scherf, Lauren Nicholson, Shyla Heal and Keely Froling. Three players, Amy Atwell, Chloe Bibby and Chantel Horvat made their debut for the Australian Opals in Sydney at the FIBA Asia Cup 2023 however this trio had all represented Australia at senior level in 3×3 tournaments.
Whilst Opals captain Madgen is the only member of the Australian bronze medal winning team at Asia Cup 2023 that is suiting up in green and gold for OQT 2024 in Belem, Brazil there is still familiarity amongst the team. Eight members of the Opals OQT 2024 team were members of the Australian bronze medal winning team at World Cup 2022 in Sydney – Madgen, Rebecca Allen, Sara Blicavs, Cayla George, Lauren Jackson, Ezi Magbegor, Marianna Tolo and Sami Whitcomb. Another Opals OQT 2024 team member Alanna Smith represented her nation at the two major championships before World Cup 2022 – World Cup 2018 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. All nine of these players have represented Australia at multiple major championships.
Australia have competed in the 5 on 5 women’s basketball tournament at nine of the past 10 Olympic Games with the only exception being 1992 when they failed to qualify. In five consecutive Olympics from 1996 to 2012 the Opals won medals comprised of silver in 2000, 2004 and 2008 and bronze in 1996 and 2012. In the last two Olympic Games Australia have been defeated in the quarter finals, finishing fifth in 2016 and eighth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Brazil progressed to Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 by winning the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2023 which was held in Mexico from 1 to 9 July. Brazil won all four Group A games with their smallest winning margin being one point, 56-55 against Argentina. In their fourth and final Group A game Brazil defeated USA 67-54. USA were not at full strength for AmeriCup 2023 due to players having WNBA commitments for the 2023 season which was in progress. The USA team was comprised of players that were playing college basketball.
Brazil defeated Mexico 83-61 in the quarter finals and accounted for Puerto Rico 85-74 in a semi final. USA won a thrilling semi final against Canada 67-63 and were attempting to win their third consecutive AmeriCup. Brazil trailed USA 35-37 at half-time of the final. In the third quarter Kamilla Soares Cardoso scored 12 points to spark a 25-10 run by Brazil for the term to gain the ascendancy and have a 13 point lead at three quarter time. Brazil defeated USA 69-58 in to win the 2023 gold medal, winning AmeriCup for a record sixth time. In the second half of the final Brazil restricted USA to 21 points. Centre Soares Cardoso finished the final with a team-high 20 points at 58.8% from the field, an equal game-high 11 rebounds and an equal game-high three steals. Soares Cardoso was named the Most Valuable Player of AmeriCup and was joined in the tournament All-Star Five by fellow Brazilian front court player Damiris Dantas. After winning AmeriCup 2023 Brail rose seven positions in the world rankings from 15th to eighth.
In the victory against USA in the final of AmeriCup 2023 Brazil’s starting line-up was Debora Costa (164 cm), Tania Paixao (173 cm), Rapha Monteiro (181 cm), Dantis (192 cm) and Soares Cardoso (204 cm). The seven players that averaged at least 16.0 minutes per game for Brazil in their gold medal winning AmeriCup 2023 team were all selected in the 15 player squad for OQT 2024 on home soil in Belem. Included in this group are four players that averaged more than 8.0 points per game at AmeriCup 2023 – Dantis (13.9 points per game), Paixao (12.1), Soares Cardoso (10.9) and Emanuely Oliveira (8.1). Paixao led Brazil with 4.1 assists per game and Soares averaged a team-high 8.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots per game to set team-highs in both categories.
22 year old Soares Cardoso will miss two games of college basketball in the USA for the University of South Carolina to represent Brazil at OQT 2024. Soares Cardoso playing off the bench behind 2023 WNBA number 1 draft pick Ailyah Boston was a member of the South Carolina Gamecocks team that won the 2022 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, defeating University of Connecticut 64-49 in the Championship Game. In her third season with South Carolina Soares Cardoso has played 21 games in 2023/24 including 20 as a starter and is averaging 13.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocked shots per game and has a field goal accuracy of 59.5%.
In 1992 Brazil competed in women’s basketball at the Olympic Games for the first time and finished seventh. In three consecutive Olympic Games from 1996 to 2004 Brazil made it to the medal games, finishing second at Atlanta in 1996, third at Sydney in 2000 and fourth at Athens in 2004. At three Olympic Games in a row from 2008 to 2016 Brazil were unable to advance to the quarter finals. In a home Olympics held at Rio in 2016 Brazil lost all five games and finished 11th. Brazil’s biggest loss of the Olympics was by 18 points to Australia in their opening game. In their last three Group A games Brazil had two losses by three points or less, being defeated 63-65 by Belarus and had a 76-79 loss to Turkey. After competing at seven consecutive Olympic Games from 1992 to 2016 Brazil didn’t qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games.
AtOlympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 Germany are attempting to qualify in women’s basketball at an Olympic Games for the first time. Germany are building momentum having jumped 11 places in the women’s basketball world ranking from 36th to 25th. Germany will be hosting the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin during September.
Germany are one of two teams along with Serbia at OQT 2024 in Belem, Brazil that needed to finish in the top six at FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 held in Israel and Slovenia from 15 to 25 June to qualify for one of the four Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. Germany won three of their first five games of the tournament and had two wins by less than five points, defeating Slovenia by four points and had a one point victory against Great Britian.
In their sixth game of the tournament, a classification game in the fifth to eighth bracket Germany needed to defeat Czech Republic to progress to the OQT 2024. With eight minutes and 40 seconds left in the fourth quarter Germany looked in peril, trailing Czech Republic 42-51. Germany fought back to reduce the margin to two points 61-63 with 55 seconds left in the fourth quarter. With 0.4 seconds remaining Leonie Fiebich made a jump shot for Germany to tie the scores at 63 points apiece to send the game to overtime. Germany outscored Czech Republic 8-6 in overtime to have a 71-69 victory to keep the hopes of qualifying for their first Olympic Games alive. Shooting guard Fiebich scored a game-high 17 points and took eight rebounds and centre Marie Guelich recorded a double-double comprised of 15 points and a game-high 16 rebounds and also made four assists.
Nine players from Germany’s EuroBasket 2023 team have been named in their 13 player squad for OQT 2024 including their three leading scorers – shooting guard Fiebich (12.2 points per game) and front court players Guelich (11.6) and Sonja Greinacher (8.1). In 2022 Fiebich was a member of the Warwick Senators team in the NBL1 West league in Australia that won the NBL1 West Championship and the NBL1 National Finals. Fiebich was named the MVP of both the NBL1 West Grand Final and the NBL1 National Finals Championship Game, in the latter game Fiebich scored 16 points, took 18 rebounds and made seven assists. Fiebich signed a 2024 training camp contract with WNBA club New York Liberty. Only one of the nine players that averaged more than 11.0 minutes per game for Germany at EuroBasket 2023 is missing from the OQT 2024 team – forward Emily Bessoir. Playing for Germany at FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers in November 2023 Bessoir suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury to the same knee that sidelined her during UCLA’s 2021/22 college season.
Two frontcourt players that were unavailable for Germany’s EuroBasket 2023 campaign due to WNBA commitments are in the squad for OQT 2024, the Sabally sisters, Satou and Nyara. Playing for Dallas Wings during the 2023 WNBA season Satou Sabally’s versatile skill-set was on full display, averaging 18.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game to earn selection in the All-WNBA First team and finished fifth in the MVP voting. Sabally ranked fourth in the league for steals, ninth for points, 10th for rebounds and 13th for assists. During the 2023 WNBA season Nyara Sabally was a member of the New York Liberty team that made the WNBA Finals and had Australian Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello as a Head Coach. Playing for ZVVZ USK Praha in the Czech Republic league Nyara ranks second for her team in scoring with 12.9 points per game and third with 6.0 rebounds per game. The player that leads ZVVZ USK Praha in both categories, Ezi Magebegor will be on the opposition team to Nyara when Germany play Australia in their second game at OQT 2024 on Saturday 10 February Brazil time.
At FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers in November 2023 Germany played two games. Germany defeated Czech Republic 85-41 in their opening game and lost to Italy 53-70 in their second game. Germany’s starting line-up in both games at EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers was Svenja Brunckhorst (179 cm), Leonie Fiebich (192 cm), Satou Sabally (193 cm), Nyara Sabally (196 cm) and Marie Guelich (196 cm). It is uncommon for national women’s basketball teams to have four players in their starting lineup over 190 centimetres tall which can create match-up problems for opposition nations when they play Germany. In Germany’s first two games at EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers Nyara Sabally averaged a double-double comprised of 14.5 points and a team-high 11.0 rebounds per game. Satou Sabally averaged a team-high 16.0 points per game and ranked third with 6.0 rebounds per game.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Serbia finished fourth with Jelena Brooks, Sonja Vasic and Yvonne Anderson ranking in the top three for their nation in both minutes played and points per game. Brooks and Vasic retired from national duties after the Tokyo Olympic Games. Despite losing two of their best players Serbia were able to maintain a high standard and finished sixth at World Cup 2022. The five players that averaged more than 6.5 points per game for Serbia at World Cup 2022 have all been named in the 2024 OQT 12 player team. Serbia’s five leading scorers were Yvonne Anderson (15.0 points per game), Tina Krajisnik (10.7), Jovana Nogic (10.2), Sasa Cadjo (9.2) and Ivana Raca (7.0).
To advance to Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 Serbia were required to finish in the top six from a field of 16 nations at FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 held in Israel and Slovenia from 15 to 25 June. In their first five games at the tournament Serbia had three wins and two losses which meant that they would finish between fifth and eighth.
In a classification game Serbia played Montenegro with the winner to play off for fifth and the loser to play off for seventh. The equation was simple a victory would advance Serbia to the top six at the tournament and book them a spot in OQT 2024, a defeat would end their chances of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Serbia looked to be in control of the game leading Montenegro by 12 points at three quarter time 55-43. Montenegro went on a 7-0 run at the start of the fourth quarter to reduce the margin to five points with six minutes and 30 seconds left in the term. Montenegro reduced the margin to three points with 20 seconds to play. Serbia were able to hold on with Masa Jankovic making two free throws with 11 seconds left to extend the margin to five points 63-58 in the final score of the game. Serbian point guard Yvonne Anderson scored a game-high 23 points shooting at 50% from the field, took five rebounds, made an equal game-high five assists and had three steals.
With a spot in OQT 2024 booked Serbia had one more game at FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023, playing against Germany. Serbia had a convincing 78-62 victory against Germany to finish fifth at EuroBasket 2023. Serbia will play Germany in their opening game of OQT 2024 in Belem. Anderson played all seven games for Serbia at EuroBasket 2023 and averaged 16.0 points, 3.9 assists, 2.7 steals and 30.2 minutes per game to lead Serbia in all four categories. Serbia’s OQT squad includes their leading rebounder from EuroBasket 2023 – Tina Krajisnik (5.8 rebounds per game) as well as their three leading scorers with Anderson joined in this category by Jovana Nogic (10.3 points per game) and Sasa Cadjo (7.6).
At FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers in November 2023 Serbia had comprehensive victories in both their games, having a 42 point win against Ukraine and a 43 point victory against North Macedonia. The nine players that averaged more than 13.0 minutes per game for Serbia at their first two games of EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers have all been named in the 15 player squad for OQT 2024 in Belem Brazil.
Serbia first competed in women’s basketball at the Olympic Games in 2016. In both of their Olympic appearances Serbia have advanced to the medal games. At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio Serbia upset Australia 73-71 in the quarter finals to advance a semi final. In the bronze medal game Serbia defeated France 70-63 to win the bronze medal and secure their first ever major championship medal. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Serbia and France again battled for bronze, this time France prevailed 91-76, resulting in Serbia finishing fourth.
The tournament schedule for the Australian Opals at OQT 2024 in Belem, Brazil
Friday, February 9 vs Brazil, 10am AEDT
Sunday, February 11 vs Germany, 7am AEDT
Monday, February 12 vs Serbia, 7am AEDT
All games at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belem, Brazil will be played at Arena Guilherme Paraense which has a capacity of 11,970. All four nations play three games in four days with a rest day between their first and second games.
The Australian Opals three games at the OQT in Brazil will be broadcast in Australia on ESPN. Viewers can watch ESPN through Foxtel, Kayo Sports and Fetch. Australia’s first game of OQT 2024 against Brazil and third game against Serbia will be shown on ESPN2 and the Opals second game against Germany will be shown on ESPN. The broadcast of Australia’s game against Brazil commences on ESPN2 at 9.50am on Friday.
The FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments are also being broadcast on the FIBA TV app, Courtside1891, however Geo restrictions could apply. A Max – Women’s Olympic Qualifiers Pass costs A$9.99, covers all four OQT’s and is valid for the Women’s OQT games only. A Max – Annual Pass costs A$34.99 a year and includes all 2024 FIBA event windows.
After playing two consecutive FIBA tournaments at home in Sydney, World Cup 2022 and Asia Cup 2023 the Opals will need to adjust quicky to playing against host nation Brazil in their opening game of OQT 2024.
Australia and Serbia have played several games against each other in the past eight years at major championships and qualifying tournaments. At the 2016 Olympic Games Australia won all five of their group games to finish on top of Group A. In a quarter final Australia played Serbia who finished fourth in Group B. Serbia outscored Australia 22-19 in the final quarter to defeat the Opals by two points, 73-71, ending Australia’s tournament. Serbia went on to win the bronze medal, defeating France 70-63. Two players from the Opals 2016 Rio Olympic Games team are in Australia’s OQT 2024 team – Marianna Tolo and Cayla George.
The FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 will be the second OQT in a row that Australia have competed against Brazil and Serbia. At the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament 2022 held in Belgrade, Serbia, the Opals defeated Brazil 65-52 on the opening day of the tournament. In the Opals second game of the tournament they lost to Serbia 71-78.
At FIBA World Cup 2022 in Sydney the Opals defeated Serbia 69-54 in a group game on Sunday 25 September with Bec Allen scoring an equal game-high 16 points. Defensive pressure from Australia contributed to Serbia having a field goal accuracy of 32.8%. The Opals won the bronze medal at World Cup 2022 and Serbia finished sixth. Brazil and Germany did not qualify for World Cup 2022.
Tolo is one of four Opals team members that have played in Europe during 2023/24 along with Allen, Magbegor and Smith. On Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Brazil and the Opals opponents Tolo told Basketball Australia “Olympic Qualifying Tournaments are always nerve wracking because of what’s on the line. It helps that we have a lot of players who have been together before and then there’s a sprinkling of new faces, we’ve got a good squad which I think is ready for the challenge. We’re in a really tough group. Brazil as the home team have a huge advantage. Serbia have always been good and we’ve lost some big games against them, their team is probably not as strong as it has been but they’re always really smart. Germany are an upcomer with a new coach and the Sabally sisters (Satou and Nyara) always bring x-factor.”2
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Since February 2022 Milestones and Misses have published articles providing player profiles on Australian players for 5 on 5 basketball and 3×3 and guides to FIBA tournaments. Below are links to the pages for these categories as well as the Milestones and Misses home page:
https://milestonesandmisses.com
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Seven Consulting Australian Opals team for the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belem, Brazil – 12 players
Rebecca Allen Valencia Basket (Spain)^ Guard/forward
Sara Blicavs Melbourne Boomers Forward
Isobel Borlase Adelaide Lightning Guard
Cayla George Sydney Flames Power forward/centre
Lauren Jackson Southside Flyers Power forward/centre
Tess Madgen Sydney Flames Guard
Ezi Magbegor ZVVZ USK Praha (Czech Republic) Power forward/centre
Jade Melbourne University of Canberra Capitals Point guard
Steph Reid Townsville Fire Point guard
Alanna Smith Emlak Konut Istanbul (Turkey) Forward
Marianna Tolo Spar Girona (Spain) Centre
Sami Whitcomb Townsville Fire Guard
^ Rebecca Allen left Valencia Basket in December 2023 for personal reasons.
Player profiles on all 12 members of the Seven Consulting Australian Opals Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 team are included later in this article.
Coaches
Sandy Brondello Head Coach
Cheryl Chambers Assistant Coach
Paul Goriss Assistant Coach
Shannon Seebohm Assistant Coach
A profile on Australian Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello is included later in this article.
In the lead up to the Seven Consulting Australian Opals squad being announced for the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 to be held in Belem, Brazil, Head Coach Sandy Brondello attended several games around Australia during the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season.
On Tuesday 12 December an experienced 20 player Seven Consulting Australian Opals squad was named for the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 to be held in Belem, Brazil from 8 to 11 February. 18 of the 20 players in the Opals extended squad had represented the Australian Opals at a major championship and/or the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, the two exceptions were 19 year old Adelaide Lightning guard Isobel Borlase and 27 year old Townsville Fire point guard Steph Reid.
Four players in the Opals 20 player squad were subject to fitness – Lauren Jackson, Alice Kunek, Steph Talbot and Kristy Wallace. Jackson was the only player from this quartet to make the final 12 player team. When the Opals 12 player OQT team was named on 17 January Talbot and Wallace were yet to make their first appearance in the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season due to knee injuries. In her first WNBL season since 2019/20 Kunek played Townsville’s first seven games of 2023/24 but suffered a broken wrist in the second quarter of Townsville Fire’s Round 6 WNBL road game against the UC Capitals on Sunday 10 December. Jackson has played 16 of a possible 18 games for Southside and is averaging 20.5 minutes per game. Jackson’s conditioning and form has built has the season has progressed, LJ has scored at least 16 points in four of her last six games for the Flyers.
Lauren Jackson playing for Southside Flyers against Sydney Flames at the State Basketball Centre on 12 January 2024 with fellow Opal Cayla George playing defense
Four players from the Opals extended 20 player squad were unavailable for selection in the OQT 2024 team – Garbin, Kunek, Talbot and Wallace. The four players from the initial squad that were available and missed out on selection were Zitina Aokuso, Shyla Heal, Anneli Maley and Maddison Rocci.
Australian Opals Head Coach Sandy Brodello told Basketball Australia “I’m really happy to finally announce the team, we have been hit with some injuries for sure but that’s the nature of what we do so we prepare for that. Brazil is first up and with the home crowd they will be tough, Germany is a team on the rise and we have a really competitive history against Serbia, so there are no easy games. We have limited preparation time for this window but we will take that as a motivator, this is where our experienced players will really make a difference. We are completely locked in now on the three games and securing our Olympic spot.”3
Six players in the Opals team – Rebecca Allen, Sara Blicavs, Cayla George, Tess Madgen, Ezi Magbegor, and Marianna Tolo have represented the Opals at the past two major championships – the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the 2022 World Cup held in Sydney. All six of these players averaged at least 15.0 minutes per game as core rotation members of the Opals bronze medal winning team at the 2022 World Cup held from 22 September to 1 October. Another two members of the Opals 2022 World Cup team have been named in the OQT team, guard Sami Whitcomb and forward/centre Lauren Jackson. Whitcomb ranked second for the Opals at WC 2022 with 27.6 minutes per game and Jackson averaged 9.9 minutes per game.
At World Cup 2022 in Sydney only two players started all eight games for the Opals, Sami Whitcomb and Steph Talbot with the duo each averaging more than 27.0 minutes per game. At World Cup 2022 Talbot averaged 8.5 points, a team-high 6.9 rebounds, a team-high 5.3 assists, an equal team-high 1.4 steals per game and excelled on the defensive end to earn selection in the tournament’s All-Star Five. With Talbot missing OQT 2024 the Opals will need to make at least one change to the starting line-up they had in the bronze medal game against Canada at World Cup 2022.
Bec Allen started the Opals first three games at World Cup 2022 but after suffering an injury to her ribs and lungs late in the third game against Serbia missed three of the Opals last five games and played a total of 16 minutes in the two games that she did play. In the Opals last five games of WC 2022 Blicavs was promoted to Australia’s starting line-up. Allen is likely to return to the Opals starting five for OQT 2024.
Throughout World Cup 2022 the Opals had three different combinations start in the power forward and centre positions, with Ezi Magbegor and Cayla George starting the first two games and George and Marianna Tolo starting the next two games. In the Opals fifth game against Japan they had a starting line-up of Whitcomb, Talbot, Blicavs, Magbegor and Tolo and retained this starting five for the rest of the tournament.
Most of the players in the Brazil, German and Serbian teams have represented their nation in one or multiple FIBA events in 2023. The Australian Opals don’t have that same level of continuity with Madgen being the only player from the bronze medal winning team at Asia Cup 2023 that is playing at OQT 2024 in Brazil. Eight members of the Opals bronze medal team from World Cup 2022 are in the OQT 2024 team and another team member Alanna Smith represented Australia at the two major championships before WC 2022. Although the players on the Opals OQT team haven’t played as a team at a FIBA event in the past 12 months there is still a high level of familiarity amongst the Opals team.
At World Cup 2022 Australia didn’t have a specialist point guard in their team. Tow point guards that have developed their game in the past 18 months were selected in the Opals 2024 OQT team, Jade Melbourne and Steph Reid. In the past 12 months Whitcomb has spent time as a teammate at club level with both these players, Melbourne in the WNBA at Seattle Storm and Reid in the WNBL with Townsville Fire. Having Reid and Melbourne in the Opals team will allow Whitcomb to spend more time playing off the ball.
Sami Whitcomb receiving a pass from Steph Reid in Townsville Fire’s road game against Bendigo Spirit at Geelong Arena on 7 January 2024
During World Cup 2022 Australian Opals Head Coach was prepared to change the starting five to create better match-ups against the Opals opponent. It will be interesting to see if the Opals have the same starting line-up for all three OQT games or if they mix it up.
On 1 February Opals captain Madgen commented on the Opals approach to FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belem “This squad has a lot of experience but also some very exciting talent coming through. We will draw from our experience to handle the pressure. We also have an extremely versatile team with the majority of the team able to play multiple positions. I think that makes us a scouting nightmare and able to adapt to the varying styles of play we are up against. At the moment, we are solely focussed on us [rather the their opponents]. Each team we play has different strengths and weaknesses and as long as we execute in offence and defence to our potential, we will be tough to beat.”4
Australian Opals player profiles for the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024
Player profiles are included in alphabetical order of the players surname.
WNBL games played are as at 1 February 2024.
# represents the number the player will have at OQT 2024.
Bec Allen
#9 Position: Guard/Forward
Date of birth (DOB) 6 November 1992 Height 188cm
Junior Association Nunawading (Victoria)
WNBL debut: 2009/10 WNBL games played: 103
2023 Team: Connecticut Sun (WNBA)
2023/24 Team: Valencia Basket (Spain)
2024 Team: Phoenix Mercury (WNBA)
Olympic Games (1): 2020
World Cup (3): 2014 – bronze medal, 2018 – silver medal, 2022 – bronze medal
Bec Allen grew up in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and started playing basketball for the Nunawading Spectres at 11 or 12 years of age, having played netball previously. In 2009/10 Allen made her WNBL debut, playing one game for the Dandenong Rangers before playing a total of 11 games for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) during the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons.
During winter in Australia Allen played several seasons in the South Eastern Australian Basketball League (the predecessor to NBL1 South). Allen won the 2011 SEABL Youth Player of the Year Award. In 2013 Allen was a member of the Knox Raiders SEABL Championship winning team with current Opals Assistant Coach Cheryl Chambers as Head Coach. In Knox’s 82-61 Grand Final victory against Bendigo Lady Braves at Dandenong Stadium Allen scored 21 points at 53% from the field, took 14 rebounds and made four assists to win the Barbara Barton medal for being the Grand Final MVP.
Allen has played 103 WNBL games including three seasons for the Melbourne Boomers from 2012/13 to 2014/15 and one season for the SEQ Stars in 2015/16. Allen has the nickname Spida and utilised her reach and reading of the play in 2013/14 playing for the Melbourne Boomers to lead the WNBL with 1.8 steals and ranked second with 1.68 blocks per game. Allen won the WNBL’s 2013/14 Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award. In each of the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons with the Boomers Allen averaged more than 13.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Allen made it three consecutive seasons averaging 1.8 steals per game, again leading the league with this mark in 2014/15 and ranking fourth in 2015/16.
Bec Allen running on court for the SEQ Stars during the pre-game introduction for the game against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 8 November 2015
On 2 February 2015 Allen signed with WNBA club New York Liberty as a free-agent. Allen only played two games in her debut 2015 WNBA season with the Liberty due to a serious right knee cartilage injury. From 2015 to 2022 Allen played a total of 158 WNBA games for New York including 40 as a starter. Allen played at least 21 games in each season from 2016 to 2022 apart from 2020 when she opted out of the WNBA’s bubble season.
During the 2021 and 2022 WNBA seasons with New York Allen was teammates with fellow Opal Sami Whitcomb. Australian Opals head coach Sandy Brondello commenced as New York Liberty’s Head Coach in 2022. Allen averaged at least 7.0 points per game in all three regular seasons with New York from 2020 to 2022 and had a then career-high 19 starts in 2022.
In January 2023 Allen was traded from New York Liberty to Connecticut Sun. Allen played all 40 regular season games for Connecticut in 2023, had a career-high 27 starts and averaged 6.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and a career-high 21.5 minutes per game. In game one of the 2023 semi-finals Allen scored a WNBA playoffs career-high 18 points shooting at 77.8% from the field and had seven rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots for Connecticut Sun in a 78-63 road victory against her former side New York Liberty. Allen’s four three-pointers made were an equal game-high from six three-point attempts at an accuracy of 66.7%. In 2023 Allen became the “10th fastest player in WNBA history to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 150 blocks and 180 three-point field goals made (195 games).”5
From 2016/17 to the present Allen has not played in the WNBL. In most Australian summer’s during this time Allen has played basketball in Europe. Playing for French club Lyon in 2017/18 Allen averaged 10.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocked shots per game.
Allen played for Spanish team Valencia in 2020/21 and 2021/22 and was a member of the Valencia team that won 2021 EuroCup Women’s title, defeating Reyer Venezia 82-81 in the final on 12 April 2021. During the 2021/22 EuroCup Women’s season Allen played 24 games for Valencia averaging 11.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 24.6 minutes court-time per game, shooting at 44.1% from the field and 49.2% from long-range. Allen led Valencia in scoring during the 2021/22 regular season.
Allen was a member of the Australian Opals team that won the bronze medal at the 2014 World Cup and was part of the starting line-up for the silver medal winning Opals at the 2018 World Cup. At the 2019 FIBA Asia Cup in India Allen averaged 11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 steals and 19.1 minutes court-time per game for the bronze medal winning Opals. Allen shot the ball at 53.1% from the field, 45.5% from the perimeter and was rewarded for her excellent performances with selection in the tournament’s All-Star Five. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Allen played all four games for the Opals. At the 2022 World Cup Qualifying Tournament held in Belgrade Serbia in February Allen averaged 11.3 points per game, ranked second for the Opals behind then New York Liberty teammate Whitcomb (13.7 ppg).
In Australia’s third group phase game at World Cup 2022 in Sydney against Serbia guard/forward Allen pursuing a loose ball was sandwiched between two Serbian opponents and suffered an injury to her ribs in the fourth quarter. The injury forced Allen to miss the Opals last two group games. Whilst hindered by the injury Allen bravely took to the court for the Opals off the bench in the quarter final against Belgium and semi final against China. After the tournament Allen learnt the true extent of her injuries, she had a punctured lung and two broken ribs which forced her to miss the 2022/23 season in Spain with Valencia. During the group phase at World Cup 2022 Allen was the Opals leading scorer, averaging 13.3 points per game and scored 16 points against France and Serbia.
In 2023/24 Allen returned to Spain to play for Valencia. After playing six games for Valencia in 2023/24 Allen requested and was granted a release from the club on 10 December due to personal reasons.
On 3 February 2024 Phoenix Mercury announced that they had acquired Allen in a sign-and-trade deal with Connecticut Sun. Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren commented that Allen “is a multidimensional player, who can impact the game on both ends of the floor with her elite shooting, versatility and length. The veteran leadership and high basketball IQ that she brings will be invaluable to our team.”6
WNBL Achievements: Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year 2013/14
Sara Blicavs
#19 Position: Forward
DOB 15 February 1993 Height 189cm
Junior Club Melbourne Tigers (Victoria)
WNBL debut: 2009/10 WNBL games played: 286
2023/24 WNBL Team: Melbourne Boomers
2024 Team: Melbourne Tigers (NBL1 South)
Olympic Games (1): 2020
World Cup (1): 2022 – bronze medal
Sara Blicavs started playing basketball as a junior at 10 years of age for the Sunbury Jets and progressed to play on representative teams for the Melbourne Tigers. In 2009/10 Blicavs made her WNBL debut at 16 years of age with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). During her three seasons with the AIS she improved significantly and in her final season in 2011/12 Blicavs ranked in the top two at the AIS for total points, rebounds, assists and steals.
At the inaugural FIBA 3×3 Women’s World Championships 2012 held in Athens, Greece from 23 to 26 August Blicavs was a member of the Australian team along with current Opals captain Tess Madgen, Katie Ebzery and Alice Kunek. Australia won their first seven games of the tournament to progress to the semi finals. After having an 18-19 loss in a semi final against USA Australia defeated Ukraine 18-17 in the third place game to win the bronze medal.
Blicavs joined the Dandenong Rangers for the 2012/13 WNBL season and starred on club debut, scoring 19 points and taking eight rebounds. In 2013/14 and 2014/15 Blicavs played for the Bendigo Spirit and was a member of the club’s 2013/14 WNBL championship. Blicavs returned to the Jayco Rangers and from 2015/16 to 2022/23 played eight consecutive WNBL seasons for the club who were rebranded to become the Southside Flyers in 2019/20.
In a 2015/16 WNBL semi final for the Dandenong Rangers against the SEQ Stars Sara was phenomenal, playing one of the all-time great WNBL finals games, scoring 38 points on 14 of 26 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 53.8%, took a team-high nine rebounds and made an equal team-high four assists. During five seasons from 2012/13 to 2016/17 before suffering knee injuries Blicavs played a total of 131 WNBL games to be one of the most durable players in the league and was on an upward trajectory with her scoring average increasing by at least 1.5 points per game in all five seasons during this time. In 2016/17 Sara finished equal fifth in the WNBL MVP Award and was a joint winner of the Rangers MVP Award along with sister in-law Steph Blicavs (nee Cumming). Days after the Rangers 2016/17 Awards Steph married Sara’s older brother Kris.
Sara Blicavs playing for Dandenong Rangers against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 31 October 2016
On Friday 10 November 2017 Sara suffered a serious knee injury just before half-time against Adelaide at Dandenong Stadium. Days later it was confirmed that Sara required a knee reconstruction and would miss the remainder of the season, however Sara had actually suffered three injuries, rupturing the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), ripped the meniscus root of the bone and fractured her kneecap.
After her knee reconstruction Blicavs had numerous set-backs and she missed 13 months in the WNBL, making her WNBL return in December 2018, playing limited minutes for the Jayco Rangers in her six games for the season. During the 2019/20 WNBL season Sara returned to being a starter, playing for the Southside Flyers who finished on top of the ladder and made the Grand Final.
Sara Blicavs shooting a free-throw for Southside Flyers against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 4 November 2019
Athleticism has always been a strength of Blicavs’, however as her career progressed she has expanded her game to improve her defense and outside shooting. In 2020 Blicavs was a member of the Southside Flyers WNBL Championship winning team and had a brilliant individual season to rank equal ninth in the WNBL for rebounds per game, 10th for steals and 15th for scoring. Blicavs was a weapon from long-range, making 24 three-pointers at an accuracy of 57.1% during the regular season. Blicavs was recognised for her brilliant all-round season with selection in the 2020 All-WNBL second team.
Blicavs was a member of the Australian Opals team that in February 2020 qualified for the Tokyo Olympics at the 2020 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in France. Forward Blicavs played for the Australian Opals at the Tokyo Olympic Games, becoming the third member of her family to represent Australia in basketball at a major championship, emulating both her parents, dad Andris and mum Karen who won the WNBL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in the league’s first two seasons in 1982 and 1983. Sara’s older brother Mark has played 246 AFL games for Geelong, has won the club’s best and fairest twice and was a member of Geelong’s 2022 premiership winning team.
Despite missing games due to a back injury and COVID-19 during the 2021/22 WNBL season Sara averaged 16.0 points (ranked 8th in the WNBL) and 6.9 rebounds per game for the Southside Flyers.
After being a late call-up for the Tokyo Olympics Blicavs had an expanded role at World Cup 2022, averaging 17.1 minutes per game, ranked fifth for the Opals in rebounding and was a starter in the last five games of the tournament. With her mix of size at 189 centimetres and athleticism Blicavs can defend multiple positions. This ability could become more valuable for the Opals at OQT 2024 with Talbot and Wallace missing from the team with both players returning from knee injuries.
On 28 December 2022 Blicavs played the 250th WNBL game of her career and earned WNBL Life Membership. In the first WNBL game of 2023 Blicavs had the highest scoring game of the 2023/24 season, reaching rarified air by scoring 40+ points in a game. Playing for Southside Blicavs scored 41 points in a road game against the Melbourne Boomers at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 4 January. In an extraordinary shooting exhibition Blicavs made 15 of 17 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 88%, all six three-pointers and all five free-throws. From 2019/20 to 2022/23 Blicavs played four seasons for Southside and averaged more than 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in each season.
Sara Blicavs making a free-throw for Southside Flyers game against Melbourne Boomers on 4 January 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
A link to an article published by Milestones and Misses to celebrate Blicavs reaching 250 WNBL games is below:
At state league level Blicavs played in the SEABL from 2012 to 2017 and in NBL1 South in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Blicavs played for Launceston Tornadoes in 2012 and all of her state league seasons from 2013 to 2022 were with the Geelong Supercats. Blicavs was selected in the All-SEABL team in 2012, 2015 and 2017. In the 2017 SEABL Championship game Geelong defeated Bendigo Braves 76-67 to win the title. Blicavs registered a double double in the Championship game comprised of 25 points and 13 rebounds to set game-highs in both categories. Blicavs was a member of the Geelong Supercats team that made the 2019 NBL1 Grand Final. After taking a break from playing basketball during the 2023 NBL1 1 South season Blicavs will return to represent her junior club the Melbourne Tigers at senior level in the 2024 NBL1 South season.
In the WNBL off-season Blicavs made the move from the Southside Flyers to their cross-town rivals the Melbourne Boomers. In a home game on 17 December at Melbourne Sports Centres, Parkville Blicavs made three of five three-pointers at an accuracy of 60%, scored an equal game-high 21 points, took an equal team-high 10 rebounds and made an equal team-high four assists. Blicavs has played all 19 games for the Boomers in 2023/24 and is averaging 11.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Melbourne are third on the ladder with 11 wins and eight losses.
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL Second Team 2020
WNBL Championship: 2013/14 (with Bendigo Spirit), 2020 (with Southside Flyers)
Isobel Borlase
#20 Position: Guard
DOB 12 September 2004 Height 180cm
Junior Club Forestville Eagles (South Australia)
WNBL debut: 2021/22 WNBL games played: 36 (All with Adelaide Lightning)
2023/24 WNBL Team: Adelaide Lightning
Olympic Games: Nil
World Cup: Nil
Isobel Borlase grew up in Adelaide, started playing basketball at seven years of age and played all her junior basketball with the Forestville Eagles. At the 2019 Under 16 Australian Junior Championships held in Darwin in July Borlase played phenomenal basketball to rank first overall at the tournament in points and rebounds per game and was a member of the South Australia Metro team that finished second, losing in the final to Vic Metro. Borlase was a member of the South Australian Metro women’s under 18 team that won the gold medal at the 2021 Australian Junior Championships held in Werribee during mid-April. In SA Metro’s 76-64 victory against Vic Metro in the final Borlase scored 22 points, took a game-high 16 rebounds, made a game-high five assists and had an equal team-high two steals.
19 year old Borlase is from a sporting family, Isobel’s mother Jenny Borlase (nee Kennett) played 70 games of netball for Australia, playing as a goal shooter and goal attack. Jenny was a member of three Australian teams that won the gold medal at World Netball Championships – 1991, 1995 and 1999. Isobel’s father Darryl played 246 Australian Rules football games in the SANFL (South Australian National Football League) for the Port Adelaide Magpies and played in four SANFL premierships including being captain of the 1998 premiership side. Isobel’s two older siblings have had success in their chosen sports, oldest sibling, sister Ella has competed for Australia in Surf Life Saving and older brother James is on the list of Australian Rules football club Adelaide Crows and played four AFL games in 2023.
Isobel commenced a scholarship at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (BA CoE) in early 2021 and represented the BA CoE at senior level in state leagues. Borlase, fellow Opals OQT 2024 team member Jade Melbourne and Nyadiew Puoch were members of the Australian Gems silver medal winning team at the 2021 FIBA Under 19 Women’s World Cup held in Hungary from 7-15 August. As a member of the Australian Gems gold medal winning team at Under 18 Women’s Asia Cup 2022 Borlase excelled to average 14.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.8 steals and 25.7 minutes per game. At the tournament Borlase ranked fourth overall for points per game, equal fourth for steals, fifth for assists, sixth for rebounds, second for field goal accuracy and was selected in the Tournament’s All-Star Five.
Having been a member of Adelaide Lightning’s Academy Borlase already had familiarity with the club before participating at WNBL level. During summer of the 2021/22 WNBL season Borlase had gone home to Adelaide from the Centre of Excellence and was doing some training with Adelaide Lightning’s WNBL team. With the Lightning squad impacted by COVID Borlase was added as a replacement player. At 17 years of age Borlase made her WNBL debut for Adelaide Lightning against Sydney Flames on 20 January 2022 in a road game. Playing eight minutes and 45 seconds court-time Borlase made her only field goal attempt, scored two points and made two assists. It was the only game that Borlase played for the 2021/22 WNBL season.
During the 2022 NBL1 season Borlase represented the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence in Wildcard games. Against the Joondalup Wolves in a road game on 30 July Borlase scored a team-high 25 points, took five rebounds, made three assists and had three steals in the CoE’s 79-59 victory. Borlase shot at 75% from the field and was phenomenal from long range, making seven of eight three-pointers at an accuracy of 87.5%.
In 14 games for the BA CoE in 2022 Borlase averaged 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Throughout the season Borlase was an accurate shooter, having a field goal accuracy of 48.7% and a free-throw accuracy of 85%. Borlase scored at least 18 points in a game six times.
On 27 September 2022 Adelaide Lightning announced that Borlase had signed with the club for two seasons. Adelaide Lightning Head Coach Nat Hurst told wnbl.basketball “Not only are we bringing home a local, but she is also a future star of this league and the Opals so to have her back where it all started is amazing. She is so strong and athletic and her style suits exactly what we want to put on the floor. I’m excited to watch her grow this season.”7
Isobel Borlase playing for Adelaide Lightning against the Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2022
Entering the season with just one game of WNBL experience Borlase was one of the revelations of the 2022/23 WNBL season and as a teenager in the number 5 singlet for Adelaide was able to remain composed and play efficient basketball despite playing against far more experienced opponents. Off the bench in Adelaide’s opening game of the 2022/23 season on the road against Southside Borlase made an immediate impact to score a game-high 25 points at an incredible 83.3% from the field, take a game-high nine rebounds, make three assists and two steals. In four of her last six games of the season Borlase scored at least 19 points. Due to a back injury Borlase missed Adelaide’s last three games of the season.
Isobel Borlase playing for Adelaide Lightning against Melbourne Boomers on 13 November 2022 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
During the 2022/23 WNBL season Borlase started eight of her 17 games and was able to learn from playing alongside and training against Adelaide captain Steph Talbot who in 2022/23 won the WNBL’s Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award for the second time in her career. In 2022/23 Borlase ranked in the WNBL’s top 25 for points, blocked shots and steals per game whilst having a field goal accuracy of 55.0% – ranked seventh in the league among players that had at least 10 field goal attempts. For her phenomenal season Borlase won two awards at the 2022/23 Cygnett WNBL Awards – the Breakout Player of the Year Award and the Sixth Woman of the Year Award.
At the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup 2023 held in Madrid, Spain from 15-23 July Borlase ranked first for the Gems with 14.9 points, 2.3 steals and 32.7 minutes per game, ranked equal first with 4.0 assists and second with 5.9 rebounds. Borlase was effective from long range at the tournament, making 19 of 37 three-pointers at an accuracy of 51.4% to lead the Gems for three-point accuracy and three-pointers made.
On 11 September 2023 Adelaide announced that Rachael Sporn had decided to un-retire her number 14 Adelaide singlet and pass the number on to Borlase. Sporn told WNBL Media “Izzy will be able to adorn a number which already has great meaning for her and she has shown that she will have longevity in her career in the WNBL and beyond. Even at such a young age, Izzy is a wonderful role model on and off the basketball court. Izzy has many attributes that I admire, namely a great work ethic and integrity. I am so looking forward to seeing no.14 in the Lightning colours again!”8
In her second WNBL season Borlase was going to be given additional responsibility with Adelaide however this was amplified due to Talbot missing the first 12 rounds of the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season as she recovered from a knee reconstruction in February 2023. In Borlase’s first four games of 2023/24 she scored at least 20 points three times and took at least five rebounds in all four games. On the road against Perth in Round 10 on 7 January Borlase scored a game-high and career-high 31 points shooting at 58.3% from the field, took five rebounds and made two steals. Due to suffering a minor ankle injury in Adelaide’s road victory against Townsville on 20 January Borlase missed the Lightning’s home game against UC Capitals on 28 January.
Isobel Borlase shooting a free throw for Adelaide Lightning against Melbourne Boomers on 17 December 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
During the first 13 rounds of the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season Borlase earnt selection in the Team of the Round four times, rounds 1, 3, 7 and 10. In 2023/24 Borlase has played 18 of a possible 19 games for Adelaide Lightning and has averaged 15.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.6 blocks and 31.1 minutes per game. Among players that have played at least five games Borlase ranks fourth in steals, seventh in points, equal ninth in blocks and equal 15th in minutes. Borlase ranks equal second in the WNBL and first among Australians for the most TOTW selections in 2023/24, level with Jordin Canada and behind Aari McDonald with five selections. Borlase has signed with Adelaide until the end of the 2024/25 season.
Isobel Borlase playing for Adelaide Lightning against Melbourne Boomers on 17 December 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
Borlase is eligible for the 2024 WNBA Draft and is one of three Australians touted as a first round prospect along with Nyadiew Puoch and Georgia Amoore.
WNBL Achievements: Breakout Player of the Year Award 2022/23
Sixth Women of the Year Award 2022/23
Cayla George
#15 Position: Forward/Centre
DOB 1 May 1989 Height 193cm
Junior Club Eastern Mavericks (South Australia)
WNBL debut: 2005/06 WNBL games played: 349
2023/24 WNBL Team: Sydney Flames
2023 Team: Las Vegas Aces (WNBA)
Olympic Games (2): 2016, 2020
World Cup (3): 2014 – bronze medal, 2018 – silver medal, 2022 – bronze medal
George made her WNBL debut with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) at 16 years of age in 2005/06. In her second WNBL season with the AIS in 2006/07 George averaged 13.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game to win the WNBL’s Betty Watson Rookie of the Year Award. George has been extremely consistent throughout her career and in all 14 WNBL seasons from 2006/07 onwards has averaged at least 10.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
After playing three seasons for the AIS George returned to South Australia and played two WNBL seasons for Adelaide Lightning from 2008/09 to 2009/10. George ranked in the league’s top four for rebounds per game in both seasons for Adelaide and won the club’s Most Valuable Player award in the latter season.
In 2010/11 and 2011/12 George played in the WNBL for Logan Thunder and had Olaf Lange as a Head Coach. Lange’s wife Sandy Brondello was an Assistant Coach of Logan and is the current Head Coach of the Australian Opals. George led the WNBL with 9.2 rebounds per game in 2010/11 and ranked third in this category with 10.3 rebounds per game in 2011/12.
After seven consecutive seasons playing in the WNBL from 2005/06 to 2011/12 Cayla played in Europe for French clubs during the next two Australian summers, playing for Pay d’Aix Basket in 2012/13 and for Nantes Rezé Basket in 2013/14.
Following two seasons in France George returned to the WNBL to play for Townsville Fire in 2014/15. Cayla had a phenomenal season to average a then career-high 17.4 points per game – ranked fourth in the league and averaged 10.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots per game to rank third in the latter two categories. George shot at 48.9% from the field and 42.1% for three-pointers to set new career-highs in both categories. George finished runner-up in the 2014/15 WNBL MVP Award on 107 votes, behind Canberra Capitals centre Abby Bishop and just ahead of Townsville team-mate Suzy Batkovic on 105 votes. Geroge was selected in the 2014/15 WNBL All-Star Five. In the 2014/15 Grand Final Townsville defeated Bendigo 75-65 to win the club’s first WNBL Championship.
George played three seasons for Townsville and in each season Townsville won the WNBL Championship. Winning back to back WNBL Championships in 2014/15 and 2015/16 and after George missed the 2016/17 season the Fire won a third title in four seasons in 2017/18. In each season Townville had a formidable frontcourt duo of George and Batkovic.
Cayla George playing for Townsville Fire against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 26 November 2017
George played for Uniqa Sopron in Hungary during 2016/17 and helped the club win their 11th Hungarian championship with the club defeating Szekszard three games to one in the final. George played 26 games for Uniqa in the Hungarian League, led her team in rebounding and blocked shots and ranked fourth for scoring.
From 2015 to 2018 George played three WNBA seasons, 2015 and 2017 with Phoenix Mercury coached by current Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello and 2018 for Dallas Wings. George decided to focus on national commitments in 2016 and didn’t play in the WNBA to maximise her chances of being selected in the Opals Rio Olympic Games team. George played a total of 95 WNBA games from 2015 to 2018 and averaged between 10.0 and 13.0 minutes per game in all three seasons.
George was part of the Australian Opals starting line-up at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on home soil in Queensland. Australia defeated England 99-55 in the gold medal game, George scored an equal game-high 16 points and took 10 rebounds to be the only player in the gold medal game that registered a double-double.
At the 2018 World Cup George played a significant role in the Opals defeating Spain in the semi final. With scores tied at 64 apiece with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter George scored the next five points of the game comprised of two free-throws and a corner three to gain the ascendancy for the Opals who went on to win the semi final 72-66.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games George played a crucial role to ensure that the Opals defeated Puerto Rico by the required margin in their final group game to advance to the quarter finals. At the Tokyo Olympic Games George was superb, leading the Australian Opals for scoring (13.0 ppg) and rebounding (7.3 rpg) per game, ranked equal second for steals and third for assists.
From 2018/19 to 2022/23 George played five consecutive WNBL seasons and a total of 106 games for the Deakin Melbourne Boomers. Guy Molloy was the Boomers Head Coach in George’s first four seasons with the club and Chris Lucas was the Head Coach in 2022/23. Current Australian Opals captain Tess Madgen joined George at the Boomers in 2020 and in the following season George and Madgen were starters on the Boomers team that won the 2021/22 WNBL Championship. From 2019/20 to 2021/22 George is one of only two players along with Opals team-mate Steph Talbot to earn All-WNBL selection in all three seasons, being named in the All-WNBL first team in 2020 and the All-WNBL second team in 2019/20 and 2021/22.
Cayla George playing for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre in a pre-season game on 5 October 2019
Playing for the Mackay Meteorettes during the 2021 NBL1 North season George averaged 22.4 points, 16.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game to win the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.
During the 2021/22 WNBL season for the Championship winning Melbourne Boomers George averaged 14.1 points, 10.6 rebounds (ranked 2nd in the WNBL), 3.1 assists, 0.9 blocked shots (equal 6th) and 31.7 minutes (12th) per game. Three of the starters from the Boomers 2021/22 WNBL Championship winning team are representing the Opals at OQT 2024, George, Madgen and Ezi Magbegor.
During the 2022 NBL1 season George played 15 games for the Cairns Dolphins and averaged 23.3 points, 16.5 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. George ranked second in NBL1 North for rebounds per game, third in assists, fourth in scoring and was selected in the NBL1 North All-Star Five.
In May 2020 George told Milestones and Misses “Honestly, playing for the Opals is like my favourite thing to do ever, wearing the green and gold is something that is just like so humbling and so rewarding and it is just the biggest adrenaline rush ever, especially when there is so much pressure on the Opals because of the legacy before us and I love that pressure. I love that I am a part of that legacy, I love that we have expectations on us and yes that can sometimes be really daunting but that pressure, when you succeed with that type of pressure on you it is just like euphoria, it is just incredible, back in 2018 when we won the silver medal, when we beat Spain to make the gold medal game, like that type of euphoria.”
George is the only player to represent the Australian Opals at all five major championships from 2014 to 2022. At four of these five major championships George ranked in the top three for the Opals in rebounding with the exception being the 2016 Olympic Games. The Opals finished on the podium at all three World Cups during this time, winning the silver medal in 2018 and the bronze medal in 2014 and 2022. George played a significant role in the Opals defeating host nation Spain in the semi final at the 2018 World Cup. George represented Australia at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games. At the 2022 World Cup held in Sydney George ranked second for the Opals in rebounds per game and fifth in points. In October 2022, Cayla and her husband Kailou became parents to a daughter, Pearl.
Entering the 2022/23 season George had played 306 WNBL games and had set an incredibly high benchmark with her level of performance to earn All-WNBL selection four times in her career. Amazingly George raised the bar even higher during her 15th WNBL season in 2022/23 to deliver the best season of her phenomenal WNBL career and set new career-highs for points, assists and steals per game. As the Melbourne Boomers captain in 2022/23 George averaged 18.5 points (ranked 2nd in the WNBL), 11.3 rebounds (1st), 4.4 assists (10th), 1.7 steals (equal 9th), 1.1 blocked shots (3rd), and 36.9 minutes (1st) per game. George won the Suzy Batkovic Medal as league MVP, was selected in the All-WNBL First Team and was a joint winner along with Tiffany Mitchell of the Michele Timms medal for being the Boomers MVP.
Cayla George taking a rebound for Melbourne Boomers in the fourth quarter against Adelaide Lightning at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2022
Cayla George playing for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 9 November 2022
George returned to the WNBA to play for reigning champions Las Vegas Aces in 2023. George played 32 regular season games for Las Vegas who finished first in the 2023 standings with 34 wins and six losses. Las Vegas progressed to the WNBA Finals against second seeded New York Liberty who have Sandy Brondello as their Head Coach. The home side won the first three games of the WNBA Finals resulting in Las Vegas leading two games to one. Two of the Aces starters – point guard Chelsea Gray and centre Kiah Stokes each missed game 4 due to foot injuries. George had the first playoff start of her WNBA career in game 4. On the road against New York on 18 October in game 4 of the WNBA Finals George scored a WNBA playoff career-high 11 points, had 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a game-high 3 steals in the Aces 70-69 road victory. George became the 11th Australian to be part of a WNBA Championship winning team. On 1 February 2024 the Las Vegas Aces thanked Cayla George.
On 8 June 2023 the Sydney Flames announced that George had signed a three year deal with them. Madgen signed a two year deal with Sydney and Guy Molloy was appointed the Flames Head Coach. In the Sydney Flames Round 4 road game against Bendigo George broke Rachael Sporn’s record for most career rebounds in the WNBL. With her fifth rebound of the first quarter against Bendigo George increased her career rebounds tally to 3,230, breaking Sporn’s record of 3,229 rebounds. Playing for Sydney George earnt back to back WNBL Team of the Round selections in Round 11 and 12. In an 87-84 Round 11 home victory against Perth George scored a game-high 28 points, took a team-high 10 rebounds and made three assists.
Cayla George taking a rebound for Sydney Flames against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 12 January 2024
Up until the FIBA break George has played all 19 games for Sydney in 2023/24 and has averaged 12.7 points, 9.3 rebounds (5th), 3.7 assists (equal 9th), 1.5 blocks (2nd) and 1.5 steals (equal 9th). Throughout the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season George has been moving up on several All-Time stat leader lists. George ranks first for All-Time career rebounds in the WNBL, fourth for points, fifth for blocks, 10th for games and 13th for assists which highlights her versatility and sustained excellence. In her next WNBL game George will achieve another milestone, playing the 350th WNBL game of her career.
Cayla George shooting a jump shot for Sydney Flames against Melbourne Boomers at Melbourne Sports Centres, Parkville on 20 December 2023
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL First Team 2014/15, 2020, 2022/23
All-WNBL Second Team 2019/2020, 2021/22
Suzy Batkovic Medal 2022/23
Betty Watson Rookie of the Year Award 2006/07
WNBL leading rebounder 2022/23
WNBL record holder for most career rebounds
WNBL Championship 2014/15, 2015/16, 2017/18 (with Townsville Fire) 2021/22 (with Melbourne Boomers)
Lauren Jackson
#25 Position: Forward/Centre
DOB 11 May 1981 Height 195cm
Junior Club Albury Cougars (NSW)
WNBL debut: 1997 WNBL games played: 202
2023/24 WNBL Team: Southside Flyers
2024 Team: Albury Wodonga Bandits (NBL1 East)
Olympic Games(4): 2000- silver medal, 2004 – silver medal, 2008 – silver medal, 2012 – bronze medal
World Cup (5): 1998 – bronze medal, 2002 – bronze medal, 2006 – gold medal, 2010, 2022 – bronze medal
Lauren Jackson was born and grew up in Albury, New South Wales. Both of Lauren’s parents, dad Gary and mum Maree played basketball for Australia. Maree represented Australia at the FIBA World Championship for Women twice – 1975 in Columbia and 1979 in South Korea. Lauren started playing junior basketball at five or six years of age and progressed to play her first representative game for Albury at around 10 years of age and then played for NSW Country at junior level from the Under 14’s up.
At 14 years of age Jackson was offered a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) but didn’t take up the scholarship until a couple of years later at the start of year 11 in 1997. Jackson represented Australia at under-age level at several tournaments including as a member of the silver medal winning Gems team at the 1997 World Junior Championships held in Brazil in July. Jackson ranked ninth overall at the tournament in scoring per game and third for rebounds despite being 16 years old, three years younger than some of the other players.
In 1997 Jackson made her debut for the Australian Opals, Tom Maher was the Head Coach. Jackson was a member of the Australian Opals team that won a bronze medal at the 1998 World Championships held in Germany. It was the first time that Australia had a won a medal at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Championships. Jackson ranked third for the Opals in scoring and fourth for rebounds.
From 1998 to 2012 Jackson represented the Opals with distinction at eight consecutive major championships comprised of four Olympic Games and four World Championships. Jackson was the captain of the Opals in four consecutive major championships from 2006 to 2012 and was Australia’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games. Jackson won seven medals at major championships with the Australian Opals including gold at the 2006 World Championships in Brazil where she finished runner-up in the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Award to teammate Penny Taylor.
At six major championships Jackson ranked in the top three overall in scoring per game including ranking first three times – 2002 and 2006 World Championships as well as 2004 Olympic Games. Jackson has also ranked in the top four overall in rebounding per game at major championships five times.
From 1997 to 1998/99 Jackson played three consecutive seasons with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). In her debut season in 1997 Jackson won the WNBL’s Betty Watson Rookie of the Year award. The AIS created history in 1998/99 by winning their first WNBL Championship and Jackson won the first WNBL MVP award of her career.
From 1999/2000 to 2003/04 Jackson played five consecutive seasons with the Canberra Capitals and averaged more than 21.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game to earn selection in the WNBL All-Star Five in all five seasons. Jackson played in back-to-back WNBL Championships with Canberra in 2001/02 and 2002/03 and was named the Grand Final MVP in both seasons. Jackson won the WNBL MVP Award three times with the Capitals – 1999/2000, 2002/03 and 2003/04.
In the 2001 WNBA Draft on 20 April Seattle Storm selected Jackson with the first pick overall. Forward/centre Jackson played 12 consecutive seasons with Seattle Storm from 2001 to 2012, was selected in the All-WNBA First team seven times and won the WNBA MVP Award three time – 2003, 2007 and 2010. In 2007 Jackson won the WNBA’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Awards in the same season – a feat that as at the end of the 2023 season has only been achieved by five players in league history. Jackson played in the Storm’s first two WNBA championships in 2004 and 2010 alongside point guard Sue Bird and won the 2010 WNBA Finals MVP Award. Jackson played 317 regular season games for Seattle and averaged 18.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots per game.
Jackson has also played in several other leagues in Europe and Asia, playing in Russia for Spartak Moscow Region from 2007 to 2011 and in Spain for Ros Caseras Valencia in 2011/12. Playing for Samsung Bichumi in the Women’s Korean Basketball League Jackson won the league MVP Award in 2007. In 2013 Jackson played for Heilongjiang Shenda in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association.
In 2005/06 and 2009/10 Jackson played in WNBL Championships with the Canberra Capitals and won the Grand Final MVP Award. Jackson also played for the Capitals in 2014/15 however injuries restricted her to six games. Due to a knee injury Jackson missed the 2014 World Championships. Jackson was signed by the Canberra Capitals for the 2015/16 WNBL season but due to a knee injury didn’t play a game in 2015. On New Years Eve 2015 Jackson was released from her Capitals contract. Jackson continued to work with Australian Opals staff in an attempt to play at the 2016 Olympics, however in March she realised that her knee injury would prevent her from achieving this. At the start of the Opals first training camp in the lead-up to the 2016 Olympics Jackson announced her retirement on 31 March.
In late May 2016 Jackson joined WNBL club, Melbourne Boomers in an off-court executive role as Commercial Operations Manager. Jackson has two sons, Harry born in early 2017 and Lenny born in late 2018. Basketball Australia appointed Jackson as Head of Women in Basketball in June 2019. On 26 March 2020 FIBA announced that Australia had won the bid to host the 2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup with Sydney being the host city. In her role with Basketball Australia Jackson was involved in the planning and publicity of the 2022 World Cup.
In 2022 Jackson made her basketball return as a player with the Albury Wodonga Bandits in a Round 3 NBL1 East road game on 23 April. In her return game Jackson scored a team-high 21 points playing 22 minutes and 29 seconds court-time against the Central Coast Crusaders. Albury Wodonga play their home games at a venue named in LJ’s honour – the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre and in the first game of her comeback on this court Jackson dominated with 31 points and 24 rebounds in a 97-80 victory against Manly Warringah.
The Bandits won the 2022 NBL1 East Grand Final and Jackson won the league’s regular season Most Valuable Player Award. Including finals Jackson played 14 games for the Bandits during the 2022 NBL1 East season, averaging 31.9 points and 12.6 rebounds per game.
In late July 2022 Jackson attended an Australian Opals training camp in New York City and played in both of the Opals practice matches against Canada. On 10 August 2022 Jackson was one of the 12 players selected in the Opals team for World Cup 2022. At 41 years of age Jackson would get to compete in her ninth major championship just over a decade after being a member of the Opals bronze medal winning team at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Jackson signed with Southside Flyers for the 2022/23 WNBL season and had Opals Assistant Coach Cheryl Chambers as a Head Coach. In the fourth game of her WNBL return against Perth Lynx on the road on 8 December Jackson made two of five three-pointers at 40%, scored a game-high 25 points, took an equal game-high 12 rebounds and made an equal team-high two steals in an 83-74 victory. In her 14th game of the season Jackson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the opening minute of Southside Flyers home game at John Cain Arena on 4 February 2023 against Sydney Flames. Jackson was efficient during the 2022/23 WNBL season to average 13.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 21.7 minutes court-time per game for the Flyers.
Fans getting a photograph with Lauren Jackson after Southside Flyers game against Townsville Fire at the State Basketball Centre on 10 December 2022
On 2 October 2023 Jackson said “I’m not done yet” and signed with Southside for the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season. Jackson told WNBL Media “I honestly didn’t know if I would be ready for the WNBL this season, but I am fitter than I was last year, it’s the best I have felt in a long time. The rehab has gone really well, and the club has seen me on court, and they know I am ready. That’s why we’re here again.”9
Lauren Jackson making a field goal in Southside Flyers WNBL game against UC Capitals at the State Basketball Centre on 6 January 2024
In Southside’s road victory against Melbourne Boomers on 21 January 2024 Jackson played the 200th game of her WNBL career. Jackson has played 16 of Southside’s 18 games in 2023/24 and is averaging 9.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 20.5 minutes per game. Jackson has scored at least 16 points in four of her last six games for the Flyers.
Lauren Jackson about to shoot a free-throw in Southside Flyers WNBL game against Sydney Flames at the State Basketball Centre on 12 January 2024
Jackson has won the WNBL’s Grand Final MVP Award four times which is the league’s All-time record and has won the WNBL’s regular season MVP Award four times – ranked second on the All-time list behind Suzy Batkovic (who the medal is named after) with six.
WNBL Achievements: Betty Watson Rookie of the Year Award 1997
Most Valuable Player Award 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2002/03, 2003/04
WNBL All-Star five 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04
WNBL Leading scorer 1998/99, 2002/03, 2003/04
WNBL Championship 1998/99 (With Australian Institute of Sport), 1999/2000, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2005/06 and 2009/10 (With Canberra Capitals)
Grand Final MVP 2001/02, 2002/03, 2005/06 and 2009/10
Tess Madgen
#7 Position: Guard
DOB 12 August 1990 Height 180cm
Junior Club Eastern Mavericks (South Australia)
WNBL debut: 2008/09 WNBL games played: 256
2023/24 WNBL Team: Sydney Flames
Olympic Games (1): 2020
World Cup (2): 2018 silver medal, 2022 bronze medal
Tess Madgen grew up in Williamstown, a small town in the Barossa Valley, South Australia and has two brothers that also played basketball, older brother Ben and younger brother Jack. Tess played junior basketball for the Eastern Mavericks alongside Australian Opals teammate Cayla George. At 18 years of age Madgen made her WNBL debut with the Australian Institute of Sport in 2008/09 and played a total of 38 games in two seasons for the AIS. Tess’ older brother Ben played basketball in the NBL and in 2012/13 playing for the Sydney Kings led the league in scoring and was named in the All-NBL First team. Younger brother Jack switched from basketball to Australia Rules Football and played 49 games as a defender for Collingwood in the AFL.
After graduating from the AIS Tess played two WNBL seasons for Bendigo Spirit in 2010/11 and 2011/12, averaging more than 15.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in each season. In both 2010/11 and 2011/12 Madgen ranked in the WNBL’s top 10 for points and three-pointers made per game.
At the inaugural FIBA 3×3 Women’s World Championships 2012 held in Athens, Greece from 23 to 26 August Madgen was a member of the Australian team along with fellow Opals OQT 2024 team member Sara Blicavs, Katie Ebzery and Alice Kunek. Australia won their first seven games of the tournament to progress to the semi finals. After having an 18-19 loss in a semi final against USA Australia defeated Ukraine 18-17 in the third place game to win the bronze medal.
From 2012/13 to 2015/16 Madgen played four consecutive WNBL seasons for the Boomers who were rebranded from Bulleen to Melbourne in her second season with the club. In all four seasons for the Boomers Madgen averaged more than 13.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Tess Madgen playing for Melbourne Boomers against SEQ Stars at the State Basketball Centre on 8 November 2015
During 2014/15 Madgen played 22 games for the Melbourne Boomers and averaged 16.0 points (ranked 8th in the WNBL), 5.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists (equal 2nd) and 1.7 three-pointers made (7th) per game. Madgen had a career-high field goal accuracy of 46.4% and made 36 of 88 three-pointers at an accuracy of 40.9% – ranked 10th in the WNBL among players that had at least 10 three-point attempts. Madgen was recognised for her brilliant 2014/15 season for the Melbourne Boomers with selection in the All-WNBL first team.
In 2015 Madgen had a short stint in the WNBA playing eight games with Phoenix Mercury alongside George with current Australian Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello as the Head Coach. Madgen played in Poland for AZS UMCS Lublin in 2016/17 but in the fourth quarter of the club’s first finals game for the season suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury and required a knee reconstruction.
After rehabilitating from her knee injury Madgen made her basketball return during Australia’s 2018 winter season playing 10 games for the Dandenong Rangers in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL).
Madgen made her Australian Opals debut at the 2011 FIBA Oceania Championships against New Zealand and also represented Australia at the 2013 and 2015 Oceania Championships. After narrowly missing selection for Australian Opals teams at major championships including the 2016 Rio Olympics Madgen made her major championships debut as part of the Australian Opals silver medal winning team at the 2018 World Cup in Spain. Madgen played all four games for the Australian Opals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
In 2018/19 Madgen returned to the WNBL and played two seasons for JCU Townsville Fire, in the latter season Shannon Seebohm who is a current Assistant Coach of the Opals was Townsville’s Head Coach. In 2018/19 Madgen averaged 4.0 assists per game, ranked seventh in the WNBL.
Tess Madgen playing for Townsville Fire against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 18 November 2018
Madgen returned to the Melbourne Boomers for the 2020 WNBL season and playing predominantly as a point guard averaged 13.6 points (ranked 14thnd in the WNBL), 5.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists (2nd) per game to earn selection in the All-WNBL second team.
With the return of point guard Lindsay Allen to the Boomers for the 2021/22 season Madgen played mainly as a shooting guard/small forward. After playing junior basketball together with the Eastern Mavericks Madgen and George have gone on to play WNBL basketball, WNBA basketball and represent the Opals together. In April 2022 Madgen and George along with a third member of the Opals 2024 OQT team Ezi Magbegor were starters on the Melbourne Boomers team that won the 2021/22 WNBL Championship.
Tess Madgen playing for Melbourne Boomers against Townsville Fire at the State Basketball Centre on 25 February 2022
At the World Cup Qualifying Tournament held in Belgrade, Serbia in February 2022 Madgen averaged 2.3 assists per game, ranked equal fourth for the Opals. During the three game series held in New South Wales against Japan in late May 2022 Madgen and George were the two most experienced members of the Opals team and played an important role with their leadership. After Game 2 against Japan Madgen commented “I think I play better when I try and help everyone else so I am just focussing on that at the moment and trying to make it enjoyable, trying to build this new culture, we are doing a really great job across the board.”
During the 2022 NBL1 South season Madgen played 16 games for the Bendigo Braves, averaging 28.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Madgen ranked second in the NBL1 South women’s conference in scoring and third in assists. The Bendigo Braves made the Grand Final and Madgen was selected in the NBL1 South women’s All Star 5.
Tess Madgen shooting a free throw for Bendigo Braves against the Ringwood Hawks in the 2022 NBL1 South Grand Final on 3 September 2022 at the State Basketball Centre
On 8 September 2022 at the Opals final training camp on the Gold Coast before the World Cup Head Coach Sandy Brondello announced that Madgen had been appointed as the Opals captain for the 2022 World Cup. Madgen spoke to the Opals playing group and staff commenting “Obviously our leadership group right from the beginning wanted to lead by empowering everyone to be a leader and that’s something I’m extremely passionate about. I’m going to be the best captain I can be, it’s a huge honour and I’m really overwhelmed. I love you guys, let’s do this.”
In Australia’s second group game of the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Sydney against Mali Madgen scored 13 points, made four of five field goals at an accuracy of 80% and made an equal game-high five assists. In the Opals fourth group game they played Canada who had won their first three games of the tournament. In the last four minutes of the second quarter Madgen made two three-pointers to help the Opals go on a 19-0 run to turn a 19-33 deficit into a 38-33 lead at half-time. The Opals went on to defeat Canada 75-72. In the Opals final group game against Japan Madgen made a game-high six assists and took six rebounds.
The Opals met Canada again in the bronze medal game and won in convincing fashion, 95-65 to win the bronze medal. Opals captain Madgen played all eight games for the tournament off the bench and ranked third for Australia with 2.9 assists per game.
Due to suffering a knee injury during the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 Madgen was restricted to just one game for the Melbourne Boomers during the 2022/23 Cygnett WNBL season. A week after Madgen played for the Boomers against Southside in a home game on 4 January it was announced that she would miss the rest of the season.
On 18 May 2023 the Sydney Flames announced that Madgen had signed a two season deal with the club. George signed a three year deal with Sydney and Guy Molloy was appointed the Flames Head Coach.
After joining Northern Kahu mid-season in the 2023 Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa championship in New Zealand Madgen set a single game scoring record for the Tauihi league in the final round of the 2023 regular season with 37 points. Madgen was a member of Northern Kahu’s 2023 Tauihi championship winning team.
During the first nine rounds of the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season Madgen was restricted by knee soreness and only played three games. The last of these three games on the road against the UC Capitals on 8 December was Madgen’s 250th game of her WNBL career and earnt her WNBL Life Membership. In her milestone game Madgen scored 20 points and made three assists in Sydney’s fightback two point victory against the UC Capitals and was selected in the WNBL’s Round 6 Team of the Round.
Tess Madgen during the warm-up for Sydney Flames game against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 12 January 2024
From 7 to 25 January 2024 Madgen was able to build continuity, playing six consecutive games, the first time in this sequence that she played more than 25 minutes was in Sydney’s most recent game, playing 26 minutes and 31 seconds in a home victory against the Southside Flyers. Sydney are on a league-best four game winning streak and are fourth on the WNBL ladder with 11 wins and eight losses. In 2023/24 Madgen has played nine of a possible 19 games for Sydney and is averaging 10.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 21.9 minutes per game.
Tess Madgen playing for Sydney Flames against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 12 January 2024
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL First team 2014/15
All-WNBL Second team 2020
WNBL Championship 2021/22 (with Melbourne Boomers)
Ezi Magbegor
#13 Position: Forward/Centre
DOB 13 August 1999 Height 193cm
Junior Club Coburg Giants (Victoria)
WNBL debut: 2017/18 WNBL games played: 95
2023 Team: Seattle Storm (WNBA)
2023/24 Team: ZVVZ USK Praha (Czech Republic)
Olympic Games (1): 2020
World Cup (2): 2018 – silver medal, 2022 bronze medal
Ezi Magbegor followed in her older siblings Elo and Ovie’s footsteps and commenced playing basketball at Coburg Basketball Stadium at seven years of age. Ezi commenced a scholarship at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in early 2015 and played three seasons in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) for the BA CoE from 2015 to 2017 and also represented Australian junior teams at several tournaments.
At just 15 years of age Magbegor played for the Australian Gems at the 2015 Under-19 World Championships in Chekhov, Russia. Despite being three years younger than some of her team-mates and playing limited minutes Magbegor ranked equal second for the Gems in blocked shots. The following year Magbegor was dominant at the 2016 Under-17 FIBA World Championships held in Zaragoza, Spain. Magbegor was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and helped the Australian Sapphires surpass their previous best performance of fifth place at the tournament in emphatic fashion, winning the gold medal. Magbegor proved a difficult task for opposition teams to curtail due to her mix of athleticism, size, composure, ability to block shots, field goal accuracy and rebounding ability. Magbegor averaged 12.5 points and 2.8 blocked shots per game to lead the Sapphires in both categories and ranked second with 8.0 rebounds per game. Current Opals Assistant Coach Shannon Seebohm was the Head Coach of the Gems gold medal winning team at the 2016 Under-17 FIBA World Championships.
In five WNBL seasons to date Magbegor has played a total of 95 games comprised of 20 games for the University of Canberra Capitals in 2017/18 and 75 games for the Deakin Melbourne Boomers in four seasons from 2018/19 to 2021/22. Magbegor is a three-time winner of the WNBL’s Betty Watson Award, first of all in 2017/18 when it was the Betty Watson Rookie of the Year Award and then again in 2019/20 and 2021/22 when it expanded to become the Betty Watson Youth Player of the Year Award which Australian players 23 years of age and under were eligible for.
During Magbegor’s first four WNBL seasons she steadily improved and after starting on the bench for her debut 2017/18 WNBL season with the University of Canberra Capitals and part of the 2018/19 season with the Deakin Melbourne Boomers she cemented herself in the starting line-up during 2019/20. In Magbegor’s first three seasons with the Boomers she increased her points per game by at least 2.0 points in each season.
Ezi Magbegor playing defense for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers forward Jenna O’Hea at the State Basketball Centre on 4 November 2019
Magbegor earned All-WNBL selection in both 2020 (Second Team) and 2021/22 (First Team), averaging more than 15.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocked shots per game in each season. Playing alongside fellow Opals Tess Madgen and Cayla George, Magbegor was a member of the Melbourne Boomers 2021/22 WNBL Championship winning team. In 2021/22 Magbegor led the WNBL with 1.6 blocked shots per game, ranked second with a field goal accuracy of 55.5%, equal eighth for steals, 10th for rebounds and 12th in scoring.
Ezi Magbegor winning the tip for Melbourne Boomers in a game against Sydney Flames at the State Basketball Centre on 20 February 2022
On 1 December 2017 Magbegor was selected in the Australian Opals squad for the first time. Magbegor impressed at the Opals training camp held in Italy in early February 2018 and made her Opals debut at 18 years of age at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on home soil in Townsville and the Gold Coast, Queensland in April 2018. In the Opals 99-55 victory against England in the gold medal game at the 2018 Commonwealth Games Magbegor scored 11 points and blocked a game-high three shots.
At the 2018 World Cup held in Tenerife, Spain Magbegor was a member of the Opals silver medal winning team. Despite averaging just 12.3 minutes per game Magbegor made an impact to rank fourth for the Opals in scoring per game and equal fifth for rebounding. During the Tokyo Olympic Games Magbegor ranked second for the Australian Opals for scoring per game behind George, third for rebounds and first for blocked shots.
Seattle Storm selected Magbegor with pick 12 at the 2019 WNBA Draft. Magbegor remained in Australia for another year working on her game playing for Geelong Supercats in the 2019 NBL1 season and for Melbourne Boomers in the 2019/20 WNBL season. Magbegor made her WNBA debut in 2020 and has been part of Seattle’s core rotation for the past four seasons, including being a member of the club’s WNBA Championship winning team in 2020 alongside Opals teammate Sami Whitcomb.
Magbegor played 125 regular season games for Seattle from 2020 to 2023 including starting all 40 games in 2023. During the 2022 WNBA regular season Magbegor averaged 9.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 blocked shots and 24.8 minutes per game for Seattle, setting new career-highs in all four categories. Magbegor ranked second in the WNBA for blocked shots per game behind 2022 WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and had a field goal accuracy of 55.0% which ranked eighth in the WNBA among players that had at least 15 field goal attempts. Magbegor was named on the WNBA 2022 All-Defensive Second team to be one of three Seattle players to receive all-defensive honours along with Breanna Stewart (First team) and Gabby Williams (Second team).
At the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 in Sydney Magbegor played all eight games for the Opals and averaged 9.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 blocked shots and 21.2 minutes court-time per game. Magbegor led the Opals for blocked shots per game, ranked third in scoring and minutes and fourth for rebounding. The biggest improvement in Magbegor’s game at the World Cup, was free-throw accuracy, making 19 of 21 free throws to have an accuracy of 90.5%. Magbegor ranked equal fourth for blocked shots per game overall at the tournament with Stewart.
In 2022/23 Magbegor played for Sopron in the Hungarian League and in EuroLeague. Magbegor and fellow Australian Alice Kunek were members of the Sopron team that won the Hungarian Cup in 2023. Magbegor played 16 games for Sopron in EuroLeague and led her team with 7.3 rebounds per game and ranked third with 11.1 points.
Magbegor played her fourth consecutive season for Seattle Storm in 2023 and was teammates with fellow Opals OQT 2024 team members Jade Melbourne and Sami Whitcomb. In 2023 Magbegor averaged 13.8 points, 8.1 rebounds (ranked 11th in the WNBA), 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocked shots (2nd) to set career-highs in each category and had a field goal accuracy of 51.3% (8th). Magbegor was selected as a 2023 WNBA All-Star and was named in the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2023.
During the 2023/24 EuroLeague regular season Magbegor played 14 games for Czech Republic club ZVVZ USK Praha and averaged 13.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots per game to lead her team in all three categories. In Australia’s second game at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 against Germany Magbegor will play against fellow ZVVZ USK Praha frontcourt player Nyara Sabally.
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL First Team 2021/22
All-WNBL Second Team 2020
Betty Watson Rookie of the Year Award 2017/18
Betty Watson Youth Player of the Year Award 2019/20 and 2021/22
WNBL Championship 2021/22 (with Melbourne Boomers)
Jade Melbourne
#2 Position: Guard
DOB 18 August 2002 Height 178cm
Junior Club Traralgon Thunderbirds (Victoria)
WNBL debut: 2020 WNBL games played: 66 (All for University of Canberra Capitals)
2023/24 WNBL Team: University of Canberra Capitals
Olympic Games: Nil
World Cup: Nil
Jade Melbourne was born in the most southern state on mainland Australia – Victoria who’s capital city is Melbourne. However contrary to her name Jade was born and grew up in the country Victorian town Traralgon, located approximately 165 kilometres east of Melbourne. Jade’s junior basketball club was the Traralgon Thunderbirds. Melbourne represented Vic Country at several Australian Junior Championships.
In January 2019 Melbourne commenced a basketball scholarship in Canberra with the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (BA CoE) and represented the BA CoE against senior women’s teams during the NBL1 season. Current University of Canberra Capitals Head Coach Kristen Veal was the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence Women’s Program Head Coach.
Less than three months after her 18th birthday Melbourne made her WNBL debut as a starter in the University of Canberra Capitals opening game of the 2020 season on 11 November. In Melbourne’s fourth WNBL game she scored a game-high 20 points against the Melbourne Boomers and in her seventh game against Perth she made a match-winning three-pointer for UC Capitals with just seven seconds remaining in the last quarter.
In her debut WNBL season Melbourne played 14 games for the University of Canberra Capitals in the 2020 hub season and averaged 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 22.8 minutes per game. During the 2020 regular season Melbourne ranked fourth at the Capitals for assists and minutes played per game and ranked fifth in scoring.
At the Under 20 Australian National Championships in May 2021 Melbourne was a member of the Victorian women’s team which combined the Metropolitan and Country regions. On the Victorian team current UC Capitals player Gemma Potter was one of Melbourne’s teammates. Victoria won the silver medal, being defeated 63-76 by New South Wales in the final. Melbourne averaged 14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game – ranked first overall at the tournament. At the 2021 Basketball Victoria Awards in late May Melbourne won the award for being Victoria’s 2020 Junior Female Basketball Athlete of the Year.
At under-age level Jade represented Australia at several tournaments including being captain of the Australian Gems at the 2021 FIBA Under 19 Women’s World Cup held in Hungary from 7-15 August. In a 72-61 quarter final victory against Canada Melbourne scored 20 points, made seven of 14 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 50%, took a team-high nine rebounds, made four assists and two steals. Against Mali in a semi final Melbourne scored a game-high 19 points, took eight rebounds and made an equal game-high five assists in the 62-50 victory. The Gems won the silver medal, being defeated by USA 52-70 in the final. Melbourne had an exceptional tournament to average 12.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Melbourne was recognised for her brilliant tournament by being selected in the Under 19 Women’s World Cup 2021 All-Star five.
During the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2021 held in Jordan from 27 September to 3 October Melbourne was one of nine players that made their debut with the senior Australian women’s basketball team – the Opals. At 19 years of age Melbourne was the youngest member of the Opals team that won the bronze medal. Jade played all six games for the Opals, shot the ball at 46.2% from the field and averaged 3.2 points and 7.9 minutes court time per game.
In the 2021/22 WNBL season with the UC Capitals 178 centimetre tall Melbourne had a role off the bench and scored at least 18 points in a game three times. Melbourne played 16 of a possible 18 games for the University of Canberra Capitals in 2021/22 and averaged 9.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 20.9 minutes court-time per game. In the 2021/22 WNBL Awards Melbourne finished third in the Sixth Woman of the Year Award and third in the Betty Watson Rookie of the Year Award, with current Seattle Storm teammate Ezi Magbegor winning the latter award playing for the Melbourne Boomers.
Jade Melbourne playing for UC Capitals against Perth Lynx at Selkirk Stadium, Ballarat on 19 January 2022
At 19 years of age Melbourne was selected by Seattle Storm at the 2022 WNBA Draft in the third round with pick 33 overall. As discussed with Seattle before the draft Melbourne remained in Australia, working on her game at NBL1 level with the Ballarat Miners in the South Conference in 2022.
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A link to an article published by Milestones and Misses on 16 April 2022 comprehensively covering Jade Melbourne’s basketball career is below:
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Over the course of the 2022 NBL1 South season playing for the Ballarat Miners Melbourne scored at least 20 points in a game 12 times and in five of these games also had at least seven rebounds and at least seven assists. Melbourne played 19 games for the Ballarat Miners during the 2022 NBL1 South season and averaged 20.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Melbourne won the 2022 NBL1 South women’s Youth Player of the Year Award and ranked 15th overall in the league in scoring per game, 10th in assists and eighth for steals.
For the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 Melbourne was a member of the Australian Opals extended squad. In May 2022 Melbourne played in the Opals three game series against Japan held in New South Wales. When the Opals squad for the World Cup was reduced from 15 players to the final 12 player team Melbourne was one of the three players cut. There were several times during the World Cup from 22 September to 1 October that Melbourne did pre-season training for the UC Capitals WNBL pre-season in Canberra and then travelled up to Sydney to support the Australian Opals in a World Cup game at night. The Opals won a bronze medal at the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022.
In 2022/23 Melbourne played her third consecutive WNBL season with UC Capitals and at just 20 years of age was a member of the club’s three player leadership group along with Brittany Smart and Alex Bunton. Melbourne was the UC Capitals starting point guard in 2022/23.
With fellow leadership group members Smart and Bunton out injured Melbourne captained the University of Canberra Capitals in their home game against Bendigo Spirit at the National Convention Centre on Wednesday 11 January. Melbourne delivered a captain’s performance to score 18 points, took six rebounds, made a game-high 11 assists, a game-high five steals and blocked two shots in the Capitals 92-85 victory to record the club’s first win of the season.
Against Adelaide Lightning at the National Convention Centre on 2 February 2023 Melbourne scored a team-high 21 points shooting at 52.9% from the field, took five rebounds, made two steals and made a game-high 11 assists playing 43 minutes and 38 seconds in the UC Capitals 97-90 overtime victory.
Melbourne recorded a triple double comprised of a team-high 19 points, a team-high and career-high 12 rebounds and a game-high and career-high 14 assists in a 72-78 loss against Adelaide Lightning at the National Convention Centre on 18 February 2023.
Jade Melbourne playing for UC Capitals against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 28 December 2022
In 2022/23 Melbourne played 19 of a possible 21 games for the UC Capitals and averaged 13.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 33.1 minutes per game. At the UC Capitals 2022/23 Awards Melbourne was named the club’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Capitals Head Coach Veal commented “This is wonderfully deserved through consistent performances, amazing personal moments, leadership, growth, toughness and her innate, infectious joy.”10
Entering the Cygnett WNBL 2022/23 season Melbourne had career-highs of six rebounds and six assists. During the 2022/23 season Melbourne took her game to another stratosphere to take more than six rebounds in a game six times and make more than six assists in a game eight times. In 2022/23 Melbourne led the WNBL for assists per game, ranked sixth for steals and seventh for minutes. Melbourne was one of the five nominees for the Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year Award. Melbourne earnt the first All-WNBL selection of her career, being named in the All-WNBL Second team.
On 20 April Melbourne signed with Seattle Storm for the 2023 WNBA season. At Seattle Melbourne is teammates with fellow Australian OQT 2024 team members Ezi Magbegor and Sami Whitcomb.
Melbourne made her WNBA debut for Seattle Storm on 20 May in a road game against Las Vegas Aces. In her third WNBA game against Los Angeles Sparks on 3 June Melbourne made three of five field goal attempts at an accuracy of 60%, scored 10 points, took five rebounds and made two assists. Melbourne played 29 games for Seattle Storm during her debut 2023 WNBA season and was the youngest player in the league.
Jade Melbourne playing for UC Capitals against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 6 January 2024
For the 2023/24 WNBL season Melbourne was appointed the UC Capitals sole captain at just 21 years of age. In the Caps opening game of the season Melbourne played her 50th WNBL game. In a Round 7 home game for the UC Capitals on 15 December Melbourne made four of 10 three-pointers, scored a game-high 30 points at 47.1% from the field, took five rebounds, made a game-high 10 assists and game-high three steals in a victory against the Melbourne Boomers. Melbourne was named the WNBL’s Player of the Round in Round 7 and has been selected in the Team of the Week three times. With the benefit of having played the 2023 WNBA season with Seattle Storm Melbourne has continued her progression to average 16.9 points (3rd in the WNBL), 7.2 assists (2nd) and 1.6 steals (equal 7th per game in 2023/24.
Jade Melbourne playing for UC Capitals against Melbourne Boomers at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (GRISS) in Traralgon on 26 November 2023
After being selected in the Opals team for Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belem, Brazil Melbourne told Basketball Australia “Playing for the Opals is the pinnacle for me. I can’t wait to get on the plane, get to Brazil and do whatever I can to help the team qualify for Paris. I’m super excited to embark on this journey with Izzy Borlase, we were room mates at the Under-19 World Cup and are so happy for each other.”11
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL Second Team 2022/23
Steph Reid
#34 Position: Guard
DOB 22 July 1996 Height 168cm
Junior Club Frankston Blues (Victoria)
WNBL debut: 2018/19 WNBL games played: 80
2023/24 WNBL Team: Townsville Fire
2023 Team: Townsville Flames (NBL1 North)
2024 Team: Frankston Blues (NBL1 South)
Olympic Games: Nil
World Cup: Nil
Steph Reid grew up on the Mornington Peninsula in Mount Eliza, Victoria, started playing basketball at five years of age with the Frankston Blues, progressed through the entire junior pathway at Frankston and later represented the club at senior level.
The vast majority of WNBL players represented their states regularly throughout their junior basketball careers and many went on to represent Australia at junior level in international tournaments. Reid’s journey to reach the WNBL was far different as she was never selected to represent her state or country in tournaments at junior level.
In late May 2022 Reid reflected on her attempts to represent her state at junior level, telling The Sydney Morning Herald “I’ve never been to a junior nationals or made a Vic Metro team so I’ve always tried to be the hardest worker and make sure that’s something that I live by. I was always around the top 25 players [when state teams were selected] but I would get to the last round and get cut. I was told I was too small, my wingspan wasn’t long enough, I wasn’t athletic enough or I couldn’t shoot the ball well enough – that has driven me to be more motivated and work on my game.”12
From 2014/15 to 2017/18 Reid played four seasons of college basketball with University of Buffalo in the USA and had Felisha Legette-Jack as a Head Coach. After 168 centimetre tall Reid commenced the first two games of her college career on the bench for Buffalo she was elevated to the role of starting point guard in her third game in mid-January 2015 and retained this role for the remaining 114 games of her college career. In overtime of the Mid-American Conference championship game in March 2016 Reid made a banked buzzer-beating two point field goal to break a tie and secure University of Buffalo a 73-71 win over Michigan and Buffalo’s first ever MAC championship in dramatic fashion. Reid broke the record at University of Buffalo for all-time career assists.
After graduating from The University of Buffalo Reid returned to the Frankston Blues and represented the club at senior level in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) in 2018 and in the NBL1 during the league’s inaugural season in 2019. In an NBL1 game for the Frankston Blues in May 2019 Reid set a new league record, scoring 50 points against Launceston Tornadoes in a home game. Reid made 19 of 25 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 76% and was even more impressive from long range, making seven of eight three-pointers at an accuracy of 87.5%.
In her first two WNBL seasons as a development player Reid played a total of just seven games comprised of four games for the Dandenong Rangers in 2018/19 and three games for the Southside Flyers in 2019/20. A quad injury kept Reid on the sidelines for five weeks during the latter season.
Steph Reid shooting a free-throw for Southside Flyers against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 5 October 2019
Reid was unexpectedly given an opportunity to play representative basketball when she was selected in the Emerging Opals team for the 2019 World University Games held In Napoli, Italy. Current Townsville Fire Head Coach and Opals Assistant Coach Shannon Seebohm was the Head Coach of the Emerging Opals. Australia defeated USA 80-72 in the final to win the gold medal. In the gold medal game Reid played 18 minutes off the bench for the Emerging Opals, scored seven points and made two assists.
For the 2020 WNBL season Reid joined Townsville Fire, was on a WNBL main roster for the first time and had Seebohm as a Head Coach. In two WNBL seasons for the Townsville Fire in 2020 and 2021/22 Reid finished in the top four of the WNBL’s Sixth Woman of the Year Award. Due to injuries to her Townsville Fire teammates Reid took on more responsibility in the second half of the 2021/22 WNBL season. After playing over 30 minutes court-time in just one of Townsville’s first nine games of the season Reid played over 30 minutes in each of the Fire’s last eight games of the season. Reid relished the increased opportunity to be one of the revelations of the 2021/22 WNBL season, averaging 12.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 30.1 minutes per game. Reid ranked fourth in the WNBL for assists per game, won Townsville’s 2021/22 MVP Award and won the ‘Club Person of the Year’ award.
Steph Reid playing for JCU Townsville Fire against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 25 February 2022
Reid was appointed a Townsville Fire vice-captain for the 2022/23 Cygnett WNBL season. During the 2022/23 regular season as Townsville’s starting point guard Steph Reid led the WNBL for assists per game, ranked equal fourth for steals and eighth for free-throws made. Reid won the league’s 2022/23 Golden Hands Award and was a nominee for the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive season. Reid received the WNBL’s 2022/23 Cygnett Community Award, being recognised for her work in the Community, including with Brighter Lives which is the official charity partner of Townsville Hospital and Health Service. Reid displayed composure and skill during the 2022/23 final series to lead her team in scoring in two of Townsville’s four finals, scoring a game-high 24 points in game 1 of the semi final series against Perth and a team-high 20 points in game 2 of the Grand Final series against Southside Flyers. Townsville finished the season in dominating fashion, having 16 consecutive victories to win the 2022/23 WNBL Championship. Reid played 22 games for Townsville Fire in 2022/23, averaging 13.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
Steph Reid shooting a jump shot for JCU Townsville Fire against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 10 December 2022
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To celebrate Steph Reid winning the 2022/23 WNBL Cygnett Community Award and the Golden Hands Award Milestones and Misses published an article covering Reid’s basketball career. A link to this article is below:
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Playing for Townsville Flames Reid earnt NBL1 North All-Star Five selection in 2022 and 2023. Shannon Seebohm was the Head Coach of the Flames in 2022. Fellow Opals OQT 2024 team member Alanna Smith joined Townsville mid-way through the 2022 NBL1 North season. In 2022 Townsville Flames defeated the previously undefeated Logan Thunder two games to nil in the 2022 NBL1 North Grand Final to win the Championship. Reid won the Grand Final MVP Award after averaging 24.5 points and 9.5 assists per game in the Grand Final series. In the 2023 NBL1 season Reid played 11 games for Townsville Flames and averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists (ranked 2nd in NBL1 North) and 2.4 steals per game.
Steph Reid playing for Townsville Flames against Albury Wodonga Bandits at the State Basketball Centre on 10 September 2022 in the NBL1 National Finals
Reid made her Opals debut during a three-game friendly series against Japan held in New South Wales in late May 2022. Reid was a member of the Opals team for a five game tour against the Chinese national women’s team in late August and early September 2023.
In the off-season fellow guard and Opals 2024 OQT team member Sami Whitcomb joined Reid at Townsville Fire for the 2023/24 season. Reid was named the WNBL’s Round 10 Player of the Week for her performances in Townsville’s two games, victories at home against Perth and on the road against Bendigo. On 7 January against Bendigo Reid scored a game-high 23 points, took three rebounds, made three assists and a game-high three steals.
During Townsville’s last game before the FIBA window Reid scored a team-high 23 points shooting at 62.5% from the field, took four rebounds and made seven assists to set game-highs in the last wo categories in Townsville’s 91-83 Round 13 road victory against the UC Capitals on 30 January. Reid earnt her second selection of the season in the WNBL’s Team of the Round. Point guard Reid has played all 18 games for Townsville in 2023/24 and is averaging 12.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists (ranked 7th in the WNBL) and 1.5 steals (equal 9th) per game.
After being selected in the Opals 12 player team for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Brazil Reid commented “This is the first time I’ve been selected in the team with everyone in consideration and this will be my first ever FIBA event. I’ve never had a phone call where Sandy’s been congratulating me and not cutting me, so I really enjoyed that. I don’t know if she knew but I was definitely crying on the phone. I’ve worked on what she told me to work on which was my shooting, so I think that’s what probably got me over the line, and that was her words not mine so yeah I’ll go with that.”13
Reid will be returning to junior club the Frankston Blues for the 2024 NBL1 South season having represented the club previously at senior level in 2018 in the SEABL and in 2019 in NBL1.
WNBL Achievements: Golden Hands Award winner 2022/23
Cygnett Community Award 2022/23
WNBL Championship 2022/23 (with Townsville Fire)
Alanna Smith
#11 Position: Forward
DOB 10 September 1996 Height 191cm
Junior Club Nunawading Spectres (Victoria)
WNBL debut: 2021/22 WNBL games played: 18 (all with Adelaide Lightning)
2023 Team: Chicago Sky (WNBA)
2023/24 Team: Emlak Konut Istanbul (Turkey)
2024 Team: Minnesota Lynx (WNBA)
Olympic Games (1): 2020
World Cup (1): 2018 – silver medal
Despite being from a talented basketball family it wasn’t until Alanna Smith was a teenager that she got into basketball seriously, playing for the Nunawading Spectres in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Alanna’s dad Darren Smith played 201 NBL games from 1994 to 2002/03. Darren’s first three NBL seasons were with the Hobart Devils from 1994 to 1996, near the end of this stint Alanna was born in Hobart. Darren’s twin brother Jason played 408 NBL games from 1995 to 2008/09, represented Australia at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games and was selected in the All-NBL First team twice (2001 and 2005).
Alanna progressed through the ranks quickly and at junior level represented Australia at several tournaments including the 2015 FIBA Under 19 World Championships where the Australian Gems won the bronze medal game, defeating Spain 69-62. Forward Smith was named in the Tournament All-Star Five, averaging 12.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocked shots per game. Smith led the Gems in scoring and blocked shots per game and ranked equal first along with Alex Sharp for rebounds.
From 2015/16 to 2018/19 Smith played four seasons of college basketball at Stanford University in California, USA. Across her freshman and sophomore seasons with Stanford Smith played a total of 73 games and had three starts. Smith’s role on the Stanford team steadily increased from her freshman season in 2015/16 to her junior season in 2017/18. During her junior and senior seasons Smith started all 71 games that she played for Stanford. In her college career with Stanford Smith played 143 games and averaged 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. At the end of a four season college career Smith ranked 10th on Stanford’s all-time list for career points (1,707) and second for blocks (225). In her profile on WNBA.com it comments that Smith “Joined Elena Delle Donne, Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart as the only players in the past 20 years to finish college careers with totals of at least 1,600 points, 150 three-pointers and 200 blocks.”14
At 20 years of age Smith made her Australian Opals debut at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017 held in Bengaluru, India. Playing all six games at the tournament Smith made the most of her opportunities for the silver medal winning Opals, averaging 10.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 14.5 minutes per game. Smith ranked second for the Opals with a field goal accuracy of 58.3%, ranked second for points per game and third for rebounds.
Smith was a member of the Australian Opals silver medal winning team at the 2018 FIBA World Cup held in Tenerife, Spain. Playing off the bench in the final Smith scored an Opals team-high 10 points in the loss against the USA. Playing all six games for the Opals Smith averaged 6.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 14.4 minutes per game. At the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo Smith had limited playing opportunities, playing two of the Opals four games and averaging 6.6 minutes per game. Australia were defeated in the quarter finals by USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Smith missed out on selection in the Opals team for the 2022 World Cup on home soil in Sydney and was unavailable for Asia Cup 2023 due to WNBA commitments with Chicago Sky.
After being selected at pick 8 overall at the 2019 WNBA draft by Phoenix Mercury Smith played three seasons for Phoenix from 2019 to 2021, her Head Coach was fellow Australian Sandy Brondello who is the Head Coach of the Australian Opals. Samith missed the last 14 games of 2019 due to an ankle injury.
Phoenix Mercury made it to the 2021 WNBA Finals and were defeated by Chicago Sky three games to one. Smith played 55 regular season WNBA games for Phoenix, averaging 2.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 9.9 minutes per game.
In the first two years after graduating from Stanford Smith predominantly played off the bench in the WNBA for Phoenix Mercury or at international tournaments for the Australian Opals. One exception was playing for Incheon S-Birds as a starter in the Korean league in 2019/20 when Smith averaged 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.
Smith signed with Adelaide Lightning in June 2020 for the 2020 WNBL season. Due to an ankle injury suffered late in the 2020 WNBA season Smith was ruled out for the WNBL season starting later that year. Smith made her WNBL debut with Adelaide Lightning a season later in 2021/22 and was teammates with Steph Talbot. In a home game against the Southside Flyers on 19 March Smith scored a season-high and game-high 28 points, made three of four three-pointers and took 11 rebounds. On the road against Perth Lynx on 9 March Smith scored a game-high 24 points and took a game-high and season-high 17 rebounds. Adelaide finished fourth on the ladder and in the semi finals were defeated by Melbourne Boomers two games to nil.
Alanna Smith playing defense against fellow Opal Ezi Magbegor in Adelaide Lightning’s game against Melbourne Boomers at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 24 March 2022
In 2021/22 Smith played 18 games for Adelaide Lightning and averaged 17.7 points (ranked 4th in the WNBL), 9.1 rebounds (6th), 2.4 assists and 1.3 blocks (2nd) per game. Smith was selected in the 2021/22 All-WNBL Second Team and was a joint winner of Adelaide’s MVP Award along with Talbot. Smith took at least 10 rebounds in a game seven times, in each of these games she scored at least 21 points. In Adelaide’s 49-61 home loss to Melbourne in game 2 of the semi finals Smith fell one rebound short of her eighth double-double of the season, scoring 24 points at 61.5% from the field, made all four three-point attempts and took nine rebounds, all defensive.
Alanna Smith shooting a free throw for Adelaide Lightning against Melbourne Boomers at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 24 March 2022
On 21 February 2022 Smith signed a training camp contract with WNBA club Indiana Fever. Smith played nine WNBA games in 2022 for Indiana before being waived. Smith returned to Australia and joined NBL1 North club Townsville Flames midway through the 2022 season. At the Townsville Flames Smith was teammates with fellow OQT 2024 Opals team member Steph Reid and had Opals Assistant Coach Shannon Seebohm as a Head Coach. In the 2022 NBL1 North Grand Final Townsville Flames defeated the previously undefeated Logan Thunder two games to nil to win the NBL1 North Championship. Smith played 11 games for Townsville Flames in 2022 and averaged 22.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots per game.
In 2022/23 Smith played in Poland for InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow and was teammates with fellow Australian forward Chantel Horvat. Smith excelled during the 2022/23 Polish league regular season to average 21.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game to win the league’s regular season MVP award.
On 14 February 2023 Chicago Sky announced that the club had signed Smith. Playing off the bench in Chicago Sky’s opening game of the 2023 WNBA season Smith scored a career-high 15 points, took four rebounds, made two steals & blocked three shots in a 77-66 win against Minnesota on 19 May. Smith made all five field goal attempts including three three-pointers. After commencing her first three games of 2023 on the bench for Chicago Smith was elevated into the Sky’s starting line-up for her fourth game on 28 May. In her first start for Chicago Smith scored 14 points and took a career-high 12 rebounds to register the first double-double of her career and made career-high six assists in the Sky’s 94-88 home victory against Dallas Wings.
In a span of four games from 2 to 9 June Smith scored at least 18 points in a game three times, surpassing her previous career-high of 15 points in a game. In a home game against New York on 2 June Smith made all seven field goal attempts including four three-pointers, scored 18 points, took six rebounds and made three assists. Smith scored 18 points at 77.8% from the field in a home game against Indiana on 6 June and scored 19 points in a road game against Los Angeles Sparks on 9 June.
During 2023 Smith had a breakout WNBA season playing 38 games for Chicago Sky including 35 as a starter and averaged 9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds (ranked 17th in the WNBA), 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.3 blocks (equal 7th) and 26.5 minutes per game to set new career-highs in each category. Smith scored at least 15 points in a game seven times, scoring a career-high 20 points, at 75% from the field in Chicago’s 104-89 road victory against Dallas on 4 August. Smith had a field goal accuracy of 49.8% in 2023 and finished third in the WNBA’s Most Improved Player Award.
In 2023/24 Smith is playing for Emlak Konut Istanbul in the Turkish League and EuroLeague. Smith has played 17 regular season games in the Turkey KBSL league and is averaging 19.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.1 blocked shots and 1.1 steals per game. Smith has scored at least 31 points in three games, has a field goal accuracy of 57.0% and is shooting at 42.0% for three-pointers.
On 31 January 2024 WNBA club Minnesota Lynx announced that they had signed Smith. Minnesota Lynx Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve commented “Alanna is coming off her best season yet in the WNBA where she was a finalist for Most Improved Player. Her impressive 2FG%, potential as a 3-point shooter, along with her rebounding and shot blocking, make her a valuable addition to our team.”15
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL Second Team 2021/22
Marianna Tolo
#14 Position: Centre
DOB 2 July 1989 Height 196cm
Junior Association Mackay (Queensland)
WNBL debut: 2006/07 WNBL games played: 218
2023/24 Team: Spar Girona (Spain)
Olympic Games (2): 2016, 2020
World Cup (3): 2010, 2014 bronze medal, 2022 bronze medal
At 17 years of age Marianna Tolo made her WNBL debut with the Australian Institute of Sport in 2006/07 and played six consecutive seasons in the league comprised of two seasons for the AIS and four seasons for the Canberra Capitals. In her second season with the AIS in 2007/18 Tolo averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 rebounds. In her two seasons with the AIS Tolo averaged 1.7 blocked shots to rank third in the league in each season and had a field goal accuracy above 53/0%. In each WNBL season after her debut season Tolo has averaged more than 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.
From 2008/09 to 2011/12 Tolo played a total of 96 games during four seasons for the Canberra Capitals. In the two first two seasons the Capitals won back-to-back WNBL Championships, winning the title in 2008/09 and 2009/10. Tolo and fellow Opals OQT 2024 team member Jackson were teammates on the 2009/10 Canberra Capitals team that won the WNBL Championship.
In a Canberra Capitals home game against Townsville Fire at AIS Arena on 6 November 2009 Tolo scored a game-high 21 points at 66.7% from the field took a team-high 10 rebounds and had a phenomenal 13 blocked shots to record a triple double in a 20 point victory. Tolo set a new record for most blocked shots in a WNBL game, breaking Lauren Jackson’s record of 11 blocked shots set on 17 November 2000 playing for Canberra against Sydney.
During 2010/11 Tolo averaged 13.4 points, 8.4 rebounds (ranked 2nd in the WNBL) and 2.6 blocked shots (2nd) per game and had a field goal accuracy of 53.6% (5th). In 2010/11 Tolo was selected in the All-WNBL First Team for the first time in her career.
At 18 years of age Tolo made her debut for the Australian Opals at the 2007 Oceania Championships held in Dunedin, New Zealand and was the youngest member of the team. Australia won all three games to win the gold medal and Tolo averaged 9.0 points per game. Tolo represented Australia at the 2010 World Championships in the Czech Republic and was teammates with Jackson. Australia finished fifth and Tolo led the team with a field goal accuracy of 61.9%. In the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games Tolo was in the Australian Opals extended 15 player squad and played games for the Opals in the Farewell Series held in Victoria but was one of the last three players cut, missing out on the final 12 player team for the London Olympics.
At the 2014 World Cup Tolo was a starter for the Opals and averaged 12.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocked shots per game to lead the bronze medal winning Opals in scoring and rank equal first for rebounding and blocked shots.
Tolo has played for three French clubs, Aix-en-Province in 2012/13, Bourges Basket in 2013/14 and 2014/15 and Basket Landes in 2021/22. In all four seasons playing in France Tolo averaged more than 9.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Tolo played in the Bourges Basket team that won their 13th Ligue Féminine title in 2014/15 and was a member of the Basket Landes team that won their first ever French Cup title in 2022.
During the 2015 WNBA season Tolo played 28 games for the Los Angeles Sparks including 14 as a starter. In a late-season game In August against Indiana Fever Tolo tore her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). From that point on Tolo faced a battle against time to recover from her knee reconstruction in time to make her Olympic Games debut at Rio in August 2016. Tolo won the battle and performed well for Australia in Rio to average 7.2 points (ranked 4th), 4.5 rebounds (3rd), 1.0 blocked shots (equal 1st) and had a field goal accuracy of 53.1% (third). Australia won all five Group A games to finish on top of the group. The Opals were defeated in the quarter finals by Serbia 71-73 and finished fifth at the tournament.
During 2016/17 Tolo returned to play for the Canberra Capitals in the WNBL and was one of the most dominant players in the league at both ends of the floor, averaging 18.1 points (3rd), 8.5 rebounds (3rd) and 2.4 blocked shots (equal 1st) per game. Among player that had at least 25 attempts Tolo led the league with a field goal accuracy of 56.3%. Tolo was selected in the 2016/17 All-WNBL First team and won the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Marianna Tolo shooting a free-throw for UC Capitals against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 17 December 2016
Due to rupturing her ACL in February 2018 Tolo missed the 2018 Commonwealth Games on home soil in Queensland and the 2018 World Cup in Tenerife Spain. Tolo signed with the UC Capitals for the 2018/19 season and was a co-captain along with Kelsey Griffin. Tolo was close to making her return when she tore her meniscus during a training session in November. Tolo made her return for the Capitals in December 2018. Tolo played in back-to-back championships with the Capitals for the second time in her career during 2018/19 and 2019/20. Tolo averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 rebounds (equal 10th) and 1.6 blocked shots (3rd) per game in 2019/20. In 2020 Tolo played her third consecutive season and eighth season overall for the Capitals.
Marianna Tolo playing for the UC Capitals against the Melbourne Boomers at the Arena in Geelong on 25 October 2019
During her 218 game WNBL career Tolo has played 10 seasons, all in Canberra comprised of two seasons for the AIS followed by eight seasons for the Canberra Capitals. Tolo’s 469 blocked shots ranks second on the WNBL’s All-Time list behind Jenny Whittle (672 blocked shots).
During the 2020 Olympics Tolo averaged 11.3 points (ranked 3rd for the Opals) and 5.0 rebounds (2nd) per game and was outstanding in Australia’s final group game against Puerto Rico, scoring an equal game-high 26 points and taking a game-high 17 rebounds to play a crucial role in Australia winning by the required margin to advance to the quarter finals. Tolo played all eight games for the Opals at World Cup 2022 in Sydney and averaged 10.3 points (ranked 2nd for the Opals), 4.6 rebounds (3rd), 1.9 assists and 21.0 minutes court-time per game. Centre Tolo has represented the Opals at five major championships – 2010, 2014 and 2022 World Cups along with the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
In 2022/23 and 2023/24 Tolo has played for Spar Girona in Spain, representing the club in the Spanish league and in EuroCup. Tolo has played 10 EuroCup games for Spar Girona in 2023/24 and is averaging 12.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocked shots per game and has a field goal accuracy of 60.3%.
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL First Team 2010/11, 2016/17
Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year 2016/17
WNBL Championship 2008/09, 2009/10, 2018/19, 2019/20 (all with University of Canberra Capitals)
Sami Whitcomb
#32 Position: Guard
DOB 20 July 1988 Height 178cm
WNBL debut: 2015/16 WNBL games played: 134
2023 Team: Seattle Storm (WNBA)
2023/24 WNBL Team: Townsville Fire
Olympic Games Nil
World Cup (2): 2018 silver medal, 2022 bronze medal
Sami Whitcomb was born and grew up in Ventura, California in the United States of America. At 12 years of age Whitcomb began playing basketball, having played soccer previously. At the University of Washington Whitcomb played 113 games including 94 as a starter during four seasons of college basketball from 2006/07 to 2009/10.
After being undrafted at the 2010 WNBA draft Whitcomb signed a training camp contract with Chicago Sky and played three pre-season WNBA games but was waived before the season started. From 2011/12 to 2012/13 Whitcomb played two seasons in the Damen-Basketball-Bundesliga (DBBL) in Germany, playing for ChemCats Chemnitz in 2011/12 and Wolfenbuttel Wildcats in 2012/13.
Whilst it is common for American imports to gain an opportunity to play in Australia’s WNBL after playing in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the United States of America (USA) Whitcomb followed a very different career path. Without previous WNBA experience Whitcomb commenced her amazing Australian basketball journey playing as an import in the West Australian State Basketball League for the Rockingham Flames in 2013 and had current Perth Lynx Head coach Ryan Petrik as a Head Coach. Whitcomb excelled for the Rockingham Flames in the State Basketball League in Western Australia from 2013 to 2015, winning the league’s MVP award and being named in the All-Star five in all three seasons. The Flames won the state championship in 2014 and 2015 with Whitcomb winning the Grand Final MVP award in each season. Playing in the State Basketball League in 2015 Whitcomb competed against her future wife, Kate Malpass who was a point guard for Willetton Tigers. Whitcomb and Malpass were each named in the 2015 SBL All-Star Five.
In May 2015 Whitcomb signed as an import to play with the Perth Lynx in the WNBL. Whitcomb playing as a shooting guard made a total of 201 three-pointers across her first two WNBL seasons in 2015/16 and 2016/17, setting a league single season record for most three-pointers made with 105 in 2016/17. In 2016/17 Whitcomb averaged 24.2 points per game, broke the league record for most points in a season and finished second in the league’s MVP Award. Playing as a point guard in 2017/18 Whitcomb finished runner-up in the WNBL’s Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award. In each of Whitcomb’s first three seasons at Perth Lynx she earnt selection in the All-WNBL First team, led the league for three-pointers made and the club made the finals, including making the Grand Final in 2015/16 and winning the minor premiership in 2017/18.
Sami Whitcomb shooting a free-throw for Perth Lynx against Townsville Fire at the State Basketball Centre on 26 November 2017
In 2017 Whitcomb and Malpass got married in the United States of America. On 1 February 2018 Whitcomb became a naturalised Australian citizen. At the 2018 World Cup in Spain Whitcomb was a member of the Australian Opals team that won a silver medal. Whitcomb played all six games for the Opals and averaged 8.0 points (ranked 3rd for Australia), 2.3 assists (equal 4th) and 1.8 three-pointers made (1st) per game.
Seven years after going undrafted at the 2010 WNBA draft Whitcomb made her WNBA debut with the Seattle Storm in 2017. In seven WNBA seasons from 2017 to 2023 Whitcomb has been durable, playing a total of 224 regular season games including 66 as a starter. Whitcomb has played five seasons for Seattle comprised of four consecutive seasons from 2017 to 2020 and the 2023 season and played two seasons for New York Liberty from 2021 to 2022. Whitcomb was a member of WNBA Championship winning teams with Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020, in the latter season fellow Opal Ezi Magbegor was a teammate.
Whitcomb was traded from Seattle Storm to New York Liberty on 10 February 2021 and had a career-best WNBA season with the Liberty in 2021 alongside fellow Opal Bec Allen, averaging 11.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 28.1 minutes per game to set career-highs in all four categories. During 2021 Whitcomb shot at 47.3% from the field, 42.5% from long-range and made 76 three-pointers for the season – ranked second in the WNBA.
Australian Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello was appointed New York Liberty’s Head Coach for the 2022 WNBA season. Predominantly playing off the bench Whitcomb averaged 21.3 minutes per game during the 2022 regular season and made 59 three-pointers – ranked 14th in the league.
On 3 February 2023 Seattle Storm announced that they had signed free agent Whitcomb. In the 2023 WNBA season Whitcomb was one of three Opals OQT team members at Seattle along with power forward/centre Ezi Magbegeor and point guard Jade Melbourne. In late June Whitcomb had a field goal accuracy of 63.6%, made at least five three-pointers and scored at least 20 points in back-back games against Minnesota. In a road game on 27 June Whitcomb made six three-pointers and scored 20 points and two days later in a home game on 29 June Whitcomb made five three-pointers and scored 22 points. Whitcomb played all 40 regular season games for Seattle including 19 as a starter and averaged 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 24.5 minutes per game.
Whitcomb played for Montpellier in France during 2018/19 and 2019/20 followed by a season with Galatasaray in Turkey during 2021. Montpellier were runners-up in the French League Championship in 2018/19 and qualified for EuroLeague in 2019/20.
A national basketball team competing in a FIBA event can have a maximum of one naturalised player as classified by FIBA. For the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Whitcomb wasn’t selected by Australia with point guard Leilani Mitchell preferred for the naturalised position.
After Whitcomb’s 2021 WNBA season with New York Liberty concluded she caught a 12 hour flight and arrived in Jordan less than 24 hours before the Opals 2021 Asia Cup commenced. At FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Whitcomb captained the bronze medal winning Opals and had an exceptional tournament, averaging 17.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 28.3 minutes per game. Whitcomb ranked first overall at the tournament for scoring per game, second in assists, sixth for steals, seventh in rebounds and was selected in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup All-Star Five. At the 2022 World Cup Qualifying Tournament held in Belgrade Serbia in February Whitcomb averaged a team-high 13.7 points per game for the Opals.
World Cup 2022 was held in Sydney and as a starter for the Opals Whitcomb had a heavy workload, averaging 27.6 minutes per game, ranked second for Australia behind Steph Talbot (29.1 minutes per game). At World Cup 2022 Whitcomb led the Opals with 11.0 points per game, ranked second with 3.6 assists behind Talbot and ranked first with 2.2 three-pointers made per game.
During the 2021/22 WNBL season Whitcomb played her fourth season with the Perth Lynx and the first in the league as an Australian player. Whitcomb played 19 games for Perth in 2021/22, averaging 14.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists (ranked 13th in the WNBL) and 2.2 steals (3rd) per game. Perth Lynx made the 2021/22 WNBL Grand Final.
Sami Whitcomb playing for the Perth Lynx against the University of Canberra Capitals in a WNBL game at Selkirk Stadium, Ballarat on 19 January 2022
Whitcomb played her fifth WNBL season for Perth Lynx in 2022/23 and on 16 November 2022 played her 100th WNBL game. Whitcomb scored at least 20 points in a game nine times including her last four games of 2022/23. In a 94-86 home victory against Southside Flyers Whitcomb scored a game-high and season-high 33 points at an accuracy of 60% and made four of nine three-pointers at an accuracy of 44.4%. For Perth Lynx in 2022/23 Whitcomb averaged 18.3 points (ranked 3rd in the WNBL), 4.8 assists (8th) and 2.3 three-pointers made (equal 4th) per game. Whitcomb was selected in the 2022/23 All-WNBL First Team, the fourth selection of her career.
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To celebrate Sami Whitcomb reaching 100 WNBL games Milestones and Misses published an article comprehensively covering her carer on 2 December 2022. A link to this article is below:
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Whitcomb joined JCU Townsville Fire for the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season, formed a formidable back court with fellow OQT 2024 Opals team member and Steph Reid and has Opals Assistant Coach Shannon Seebohm as a Head Coach. In both of Townsville’s Round 9 games, a road game against Sydney and a home game against Perth Whitcomb scored a game-high 26 points to earn selection in the WNBL’s Team of the Round. Whitcomb has played 17 of a possible 18 games for Townsville in 2023/24 and is averaging 15.8 points (ranked 6th in the WNBL), 4.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists (8th), 2.9 steals (equal 2nd) and 2.5 made three-pointers (2nd) per game. Townsville are on top of the ladder with 13 wins and five losses with two rounds remaining in the regular season.
Sami Whitcomb shooting a three-pointer for Townsville Fire against Bendigo Spirit in a WNBL game at Geelong Arena on 7 January 2024
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL First Team 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2022/23
WNBL Leading scorer 2016/17
Head Coach – Sandy Brondello
Sandy Brondello had an illustrious basketball career as a shooting guard, playing in the WNBL, WNBA and represented the Australian Opals in 302 games including at four Olympic Games and four World Championships. Brondello was a member of the first five Opals teams that won medals at major championships from the 1996 Olympic Games to the 2004 Olympic Games. In the last four of these Championships Brondello was teammates with current Opal Lauren Jackson.
Playing for the Brisbane Blazers in 1995 Brondello won the WNBL’s Most Valuable Player Award and was the league’s leading scorer for the second consecutive season, having been equal leading scorer in 1994 with Shelley Gorman. Brondello was selected in the WNBL All-Star five twice – 1994 and 1995, playing for the Brisbane Blazers in both seasons.
In 2005 Brondello commenced a coaching career in the WNBA as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Silver Stars. Brondello has been assistant coach to husband Olaf Lange in the WNBL with Logan Thunder and at Russian club UMMC Ekaterinburg.
Brondello was inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 and was appointed Head Coach of WNBA club Phoenix Mercury in 2014. In her first season as Head Coach of Phoenix Mercury the club won the 2014 WNBA Championship, two Australians Penny Taylor and Erin Phillips were members of the team. In 2014 Phoenix set a new single season record for most wins in a regular season with 29 wins and five losses. Brondello coached Phoenix Mercury for eight seasons from 2014 to 2021. In 2021 Phoenix lost in the WNBA finals to Chicago Sky.
On 7 January 2022 WNBA Club New York Liberty announced that Brondello had been appointed as their Head Coach. New York Liberty won the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup, defeating Las Vegas Aces 82-65. In the 2023 WNBA Finals the two clubs met again with New York being defeated by Las Vegas Ace one game to three.
On 18 April 2017 it was announced that Sandy Brondello had been appointed as the Australian Opals Head Coach. With Brondello as their head coach the Opals have won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, silver at the World Cup 2018, bronze at World Cup 2022 and have won medals at the 2017 (silver), 2019 (bronze) and 2021 (bronze) Asia Cup. In her role as a Head Coach of a WNBA club Brondello has coached five members of the Opals OQT 2024 team – George, Madgen, Smith, Allen and Whitcomb.
Article and photographs by Dean Andrews
Twitter – @DeanAndrews7777
References
2 Opals Squad Announced for Brazil (australia.basketball)
3 https://www.australia.basketball/news/3859198/brazil-beckons
4 https://wnbl.basketball/sydneyflames/news/flames-duos-opals-fully-focussed-on-olympic-goal/
7 https://wnbl.basketball/adelaide/news/adelaide-lightning-sign-sporting-royalty-isobel-borlase/
8 https://wnbl.basketball/adelaide/news/rachael-sporns-no-14-jersey-returns-with-isobel-borlase/
9 https://wnbl.basketball/southside/news/lauren-jackson-is-back-with-the-flyers/
11 https://www.australia.basketball/news/3859198/brazil-beckons
13 https://wnbl.basketball/townsville/news/steph-and-sami-selected-for-opals/
14 https://www.wnba.com/player/1629501/alanna-smith
15 https://lynx.wnba.com/news/minnesota-signs-courtney-williams-and-alanna-smith/
Milestones and misses 