Opals standout Whitcomb excited as host nation name 24-strong squad
MELBOURNE (Australia) - Opals' head coach Sandy Brondello has expressed her satisfaction at the depth in her squad as the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 hosts confirmed the players in contention.
MELBOURNE (Australia) - Opals star Sami Whitcomb is pumped and ready to go for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 after she was named in a 24-strong pool of players for the flagship event.
After lighting it up as the leader of a young Australia team that landed bronze at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2021, the guard is fired up for what lies in wait. Whitcomb made her debut at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Tenerife and memorably helped to propel the Opals to the Final.
She stated: "Playing in a World Cup in Australia is everything, it doesn’t get any better than this. It's such an honor to suit up in the green and gold and while you make the squad it doesn't guarantee making the team, so for now I’ll keep my head down and keep working my butt off.
"No doubt it's going to be tough, the USA, Japan, China, France and Serbia are all fierce competitors, and they are here to win. The home crowd advantage will be a factor for sure, the Aussies love a good cheer, but we are going to have to work like never before to take home a medal and I can tell you we are all committed to that.
"You don't play professional sport unless you really want the win and we do, the Opals have an incredible history, and we want to honor that by playing with passion and determination."
| Australia squad for FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 | |||
| Rebecca Allen | Zitina Aokuso | Sara Blicavs | Rebecca Cole |
| Keely Froling | Darcee Garbin | Cayla George | Shyla Heal |
| Tessa Lavey | Ezi Magbegor | Tess Madgen | Jade Melbourne |
| Leilani Mitchell | Lauren Nicholson | Jenna O’Hea | Maddison Rocci |
| Lauren Scherf | Alex Sharp | Alanna Smith | Stephanie Talbot |
| Marianna Tolo | Kristy Wallace | Abbey Wehrung | Sami Whitcomb |
Meanwhile head coach Sandy Brondello is ready to make the most of a nice fusion of veteran know-how and rising talent as she prepares for the big event next September - as well as the preceding Qualifying Tournaments in February.
She stated: "I am really excited about the talent we have in Australian Basketball and the squad that we as coaches have put together for 2022 is a great mix of experience and youth.
"I was particularly excited by some of the performances from the younger players in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup post the Olympics, who were given a taste of international basketball.
"There will be opportunities for those who work hard and make the most of their opportunities throughout the upcoming WNBL competition."
"I remember like yesterday how special it was to play in a World Cup on home soil," continued Brondello.
"We look forward to having the same support as we had in 1994 to help us get back on the podium. Our goal over the next 300 days is to continue to grow, develop and be better as individuals and as group so we can achieve this goal.”
The squad consists of nine players from Tokyo 2020 including Jenna O'Hea, Marianna Tolo, Alanna Smith, Bec Allen, Sara Blicavs, Cayla George, Ezi Magbegor, Tess Madgen and Steph Talbot. There is also strong representation from those that took a podium step at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup including the likes of Zitina Aokuso, Darcee Garbin, Lauren Nicholson and Sami Whitcomb. However there is no place for star of the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, Liz Cambage.
Australia will play in Belgrade at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments and face Brazil, Korea and Serbia.
FIBA