FIBA Basketball

Team Profile: Australia starts as the on-paper favorite

BELEM (Brazil) – As the No. 3 spot in the FIBA World Rankings Presented by Nike, Australia will travel to Brazil as the odds-on favorite to earn one of the 3 berths to the Olympic Games.

BELEM (Brazil) – As the proud holders of the No. 3 spot in the FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike, Australia will travel to Brazil as the odds-on favorite to earn one of the 3 berths to the Olympic Games.

The Opals are coming off consecutive 3rd place finishes at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023 and at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 at home. Now they want to reach the Olympic Games for the 10th time. Only the USA have done better so far with 11 appearances and 2024 will be their 12th.

The Roster

A 20-woman squad was announced by Basketball Australia in mid-December and earlier this week, the Opals released their definitive 12-player roster.

Legendary player Lauren Jackson is poised for a remarkable fifth Olympic appearance should the Opals qualify, and she secures a spot for this year's significant event. Her last participation was over a decade ago at London 2012. Head coach Sandy Brondello boasts a formidable lineup with eight returning members from the squad that clinched bronze in Sydney at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022.

Players like Tess Madgen, Cayla George, Marianna Tolo, Lauren Jackson, Ezi Magbegor, Bec Allen, Sara Blicavs, and Sami Whitcomb are all geared up to replicate the success of 18 months ago on the global stage. Tokyo Olympian Alanna Smith and Jade Melbourne rejoin the team, while emerging talent Isobel Borlase and point guard Steph Reid are set to make their tournament debuts at the senior level.

Lauren Jackson

The Question

Can they go all the way?

Australia reached the semifinals of their two most recent big events, losing to China on both occasions. And while they’ll be happy not to face them again, they’ll now have to contend with a home squad that has won back-to-back tournaments (Brazil), another Top 10-ranked opponent (Serbia) and a dangerous German outfit. They are the heavy favorite to punch their ticket to France but this will not be easy.

The Hope

Experience and versatility are the team’s calling cards and the return of Cayla George (8.6 points and 5.6 rebounds at the Women's World Cup 2022) is just what the doctor ordered. George missed the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.

Jade Melbourne

The additions of 21-year-old guard Jade Melbourne (12.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2021) and 19-year-old Isobel Borlase (14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2023) represent both a spark in the short term and a window into the next generation of Australian basketball.

The Fear

Australia defeated Brazil (65-52) at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournaments 2022 in Belgrade and came close to upsetting home team Serbia before a crushing 4th quarter comeback led by Yvonne Anderson's amazing 30-point performance (78-71). Can Serbia do that again in a few weeks in Belem?

Let's imagine, for a moment, that Brazil defeats Australia in the first game, riding the euphoria of the home crowd. Now, what if Germany outperforms Serbia? In such a scenario, the final day's game between Serbia and Australia could become crucial.

Despite being one of the most efficient teams in the world, the Opals will have to watch their foul issues and maintain a high level of outside shooting.

AUSTRALIA IN THE LAST 10 FIBA EVENTS

YEAR	EVENT	LOCATION	ACHIEVEMENT
2023	FIBA Women’s Asia Cup	Sydney (AUS)	3rd
2022	FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup	Sydney (AUS)	3rd
2022	FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournaments	Belgrade (SRB)	1st
2021	Olympic Games	Tokyo (JPN)	8th
2021	FIBA Women’s Asia Cup	Amman (JOR)	3rd
2020	FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament	Bourges (FRA)	3rd
2019	FIBA Women’s Asia Cup	Bengaluru (IND)	3rd
2018	FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup	Tenerife (ESP)	2nd
2017	FIBA Women’s Asia Cup	Bengaluru (IND)	2nd

The poll

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