Opals and Tall Ferns confirm rosters for FIBA Women's Asia Cup

MELBOURNE/WELLINGTON (Australia/New Zealand) - Australia and New Zealand have both revealed the players tasked with leading their respective FIBA Women's Asia Cup  campaigns in Jordan later this month.

Following on from their appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Opals have made wholesale changes and this also includes Paul Gorris picking up the coaching reins from Sandy Brondello.

Unless there are complications caused by their WNBA commitments. the playcaller will be relying on New York Liberty duo Bec Allen and Sami Whitcomb to lead the way. Not least because many players are not available due to  travel restrictions and quarantine requirements.

"The team we have selected for Asia Cup brings together youth and experience with players from around the world," said Gorris, who will be assisted by the current Women’s Centre of Excellence Head Coach, Kristen Veal.

"It’s great to have Sami Whitcomb and Bec Allen commit (depending on the WNBA Finals), as their experience and leadership playing at a high level in the WNBA will help this young group."

“It’s also a great reward for some of the stellar play in recent WNBL seasons for the likes of Lauren Nicholson, Maddison Rocci and Darcee Garbin. We have some young bigs and the experience they will gain from this will help the Opals in the future in preparation and readiness for the World Cup. I am confident we have the balance of speed, defense and grit for us to be competitive," he concluded.

Meanwhile New Zealand have named 14 players and will confirm their twelve on the eve of departure to the Jordanian capital. The list includes the trio who excelled at the last edition in the shape of  veteran Micaela Cocks, as well as Tessa Boagni and Kalani Purcell.

The vast experience of Micaela Cocks will be vital in Amman

Sky Sport Tall Ferns Head Coach, Guy Molloy was quick to emphasize how his team has not played last played a game in almost two years and stated: “The last 18 months has been tough. We’re desperate to get back on the floor and represent New Zealand, and this is an awesome opportunity to do just that.

"It won’t be easy, we’re missing some experienced players and we won’t have a pre-tournament camp due to the trans-Tasman bubble being shut, but when we step onto the hardwood in late September with the black jersey on and the fern on our chests, we’ll be ready.

“I’m really happy with the squad we have. A real mix of youth, experience, size, speed, and skill. It’s an exciting time for the Tall Ferns," he added.

The Tall Ferns will face Japan, Korea, and India in Group A and finished 5th two years ago, improving on their 6th place finish in 2017.

FIBA