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Australia women's national basketball team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"The Opals" redirects here. For the precious stone, see opal.
For the men's team, see Australia men's national basketball team.

 Australia
FIBA ranking3 Decrease 1 (9 August 2021)[1]
FIBA zoneFIBA Oceania
National federationBasketball Australia
CoachPaul Goriss
Nickname(s)Opals
Olympic Games
Appearances10
MedalsSilver medal.svg Silver: (2000, 2004, 2008)
Bronze medal.svg Bronze: (1996, 2012)
World Cup
Appearances15
MedalsGold medal world centered-2.svg Gold: (2006)
Silver medal world centered-2.svg Silver: (2018)
Bronze medal world centered-2.svg Bronze: (1998, 2002, 2014)
Oceania Championship
Appearances15
MedalsGold medal australia.svg Gold: (1974, 1978, , , , , , , , , 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015)
Asia Cup
Appearances3
MedalsSilver Silver: (2017)
Bronze medal world centered-2.svg Bronze: (2019, 2021)
Kit body lithuaniabasides2.png
Home jersey
Kit shorts.png
Team colours
Home
Kit body lithuaniabasides2.png
Away jersey
Kit shorts.png
Team colours
Away

The Australian women's national basketball team[2] is nicknamed the Opals, after the brightly coloured gemstone common to the country.[3] From 1994 onwards, the Opals have been consistently competitive and successful having won nine medals at official FIBA international tournaments (Olympics and World Cups), highlighted by a gold medal winning performance at the 2006 World Championship in Brazil.[4] At the now-defunct regional Oceania Championship for Women, the Opals won 15 titles.[5][6] Effective in 2017, FIBA combined its Oceanian and Asian zones for official senior competitions; following this change, the Opals compete in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup.[7]

History[]

1950-60s: Beginnings[]

Basketball arrived in Melbourne in 1905, but the first major international women's tournament was the 1953 FIBA World Championships held in Chile.[8][9][10] Although the Opals did not qualify for the first tournament, they did, however, qualify for the 1957 Championships held in Brazil. Captained by Lorraine Eiler, the Opals defeated Cuba and Peru.[11] Sixteen year-old Bronte Cockburn led the scoring for Australia with an average of 9.5 points per game, but the inexperienced team ultimately finished in 10th place.[12] Since then, the Opals have helped increase the popularity of the sport in Australia.[13] Australia would not get the opportunity to participate at the 1959 World Championship held in Moscow because at the time, the Australian Government would not allow the team to travel to the USSR. The Opals would not qualify for a World Championship again until the 1967 contest in Czechoslovakia. With an entirely new team and a single victory over Italy, Australia finished in 10th position for the second time.[14] Team captain, Jean Forster, led the scoring for Australia with an average of 21.2 points per game, with a tournament high of 34 against Brazil.[15] Her 21.2 points per game would remain unchallenged for 35 years.

1970s: Early development[]

In 1971, the Opals travelled once again to Brazil. Led by new head coach Merv Harris, and featuring Jill Hammond, the team made several improvements with only three players from the 1967 squad selected.[13] Although the Opals finished in ninth place, they had victories over Madagascar (twice), Argentina, Ecuador and Canada.[16] In 1975, the team headed to Colombia with another new head coach, Jim Madigan. Despite a 74–25 confidence building win over Senegal, as well as victories over Japan, Brazil and Hungary, the team finished in 10th place.[17]

The 1976 Olympics held in Montreal marked the first Olympic medals awarded for women's basketball, but Opals did not qualify for the tournament.[18] Their next major competition would be the 1979 World Championships in South Korea, which would prove to be their first taste of success. The coach again was Jim Madigan, and the squad featured some of the faces of the Opals for the next decade such as Jenny Cheesman, Robyn Maher, Julie Nykiel, Karin Maar and Patricia Mickan.[13] The team would have early success defeating Italy and France, as well as thrashing Malaysia 119–14.[19] Australia would lose their next three games, but bounced back winning their final game over Japan to finish in fourth place, their best international result to that time.[20]

1980s: Into the Olympics[]

In the early days of women's Olympic basketball, only six countries competed in the tournament, and the host country received an automatic entry.[21] Therefore, there were 22 countries competing for the remaining five spots in 1980 Olympics held in Moscow. In the preliminary tournament, the Opals fell to the USA and Hungary, and did not qualify for the Olympics.[22] Three years later, the team traveled to Brazil for the 1983 World Championships, looking to demonstrate that their 1979 success was no accident. Despite an early victory over Japan, Australia failed to advance and finished in 11th place.[23] The Opals were not expected to participate at the 1984 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles. However, following the decision by Cuba to boycott the games, the door was opened for the Opals to compete in their first ever Olympics.[24] Led by head coach Brendan Flynn, and team captain Jenny Cheesman, the Opals played competitively in every game, but finished fifth out of the six teams.[25]

The next tournament for the Opals was the 1986 World Championships in Moscow. The first game against Hungary was a two overtime thriller that the Opals lost 79–77.[26] The game set the tone for the tournament, and despite some close finishes against the top rated teams, Australia finished in ninth place.[27] The Opals then headed into the 1988 Seoul Olympics with a medal hope, but they lost the first game to host nation Korea.[28] The Opals bounced back and defeated Bulgaria, meaning that only the powerful Soviet Union stood between them and a semi-finals berth. In a major upset, the Opals defeated the USSR 60–48, setting up a meeting against Yugoslavia. In a memorable game, the Opals lost a closely contested game at the buzzer 57–56, sending them to a rematch with the USSR for the bronze medal. Motivated by the previous loss, the USSR came out determined and outplayed the Opals 68–53.[29] Despite the loss, the fourth-place finish equalled the Opals’ previous best international placing.[30]

1990s: Rise as an International force[]

Lauren Jackson in August 2012, Australia's most decorated basketball player

Building from their success at Seoul, the Opals headed to Malaysia for the 1990 World Championships with high hopes. The team won their first two games against Malaysia and Italy, before suffering a string of losses to Bulgaria, the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia.[13] In their final game, the Opals came back from seven-point halftime deficit to beat Bulgaria 73–71 and finish in sixth place.[31] Fifteen teams competed for the five open spots at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and despite a respectable 4–2 record at the preliminary tournament, the Opals did not qualify.[32]

Two years later, Australia played host to the 1994 FIBA World Championships.[33] Led by guard Shelley Sandie's 11.9 points per game, the team scored victories over Japan, Italy, Slovakia and Canada to set up a semi-finals match against China. The Opals held an early lead, but China mounted a second half comeback led by Haixia Zheng's 36 points, and Australia just lost by a single point 66–65.[34] In the bronze medal game, Australia played the United States, and despite a small halftime lead, the Opals lost a close game 100–95.[35] The loss however, resulted in a respectable fourth-place finish.[36] The young 1994 team featured the backbone of Australian teams over the next decade; Rachael Sporn, Trisha Fallon, Michelle Brogan, Allison Tranquilli, Sandy Brondello, Annie La Fleur and Jenny Whittle.[37] At the 1994 tournament, the team also adopted the Opals as its nickname.

At the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, the Olympic tournament was expanded to twelve teams, making an easier path for Australia to qualify.[13] Captained by Robyn Maher, the Opals started off with strong wins over South Korea, Zaire, and Cuba before losing to eventual gold medalist USA and Ukraine. Australia then persevered through an overtime game against Russia to set up a semi-finals match against the United States. The US won the game 93–71, sending the Opals to a rematch against the Ukraine for the bronze medal. Australia held back a second half comeback by the Ukraine to win the game 66–56, earning Australia its first ever international basketball medal for either men or women.[38][39]

In 1998, the Opals looked to build off the bronze medal at the World Championships in Germany. The team featured 17-year-old future star Lauren Jackson, and was led by Michelle Brogan's average of 13.1 points per game.[40][41] Australia put together a dominant performance, winning their first seven games before losing to Russia 82–76 in a close semi-final match.[42] In the bronze medal game, Carla Boyd's 26 points proved too much for Brazil, and the Opals won 72–67 to earn their second bronze medal in international play.[43][44]

2000s: A decade of medals and World Champions[]

With Sydney hosting the 2000 Olympic Games, the Opals gained automatic entry into the tournament.[45] Captained by Michele Timms, the team started out with dominating performances winning all of their first seven games, sending them to their first ever gold medal match, against the USA. The American team proved too strong for the Opals however, as they won 76–54.[46] Australia won the Silver Medal, their best result in international competition at the time.[47] In 2002, the Opals looked to continue their success in China at the World Championships. Coached by Jan Stirling, captained by Kristi Harrower, and powered by Lauren Jackson's 23.1 points per game (which led the tournament), Australia won its first five games all by double figures.[48] In the second round the Opals lost to Brazil, but bounced back with a 78–52 victory over France in the quarterfinal. In the semi-finals, the Opals lost to eventual gold medalist USA, but recovered the next day to capture the bronze medal with a convincing 91–63 win over South Korea.[49]

A photograph of the Australian National women's basketball team which won the 2006 FIBA World Championship for Women in basketball
The National team celebrating after being awarded the gold medals for winning the 2006 FIBA World Championship for Women in basketball

At the 2004 Olympics held in Athens, Greece, the Opals were led by Lauren Jackson's tournament best 22.9 points and 10 rebounds per game. With Penny Taylor contributing with 14.8 points per game, Australia dominated early winning their first seven games, all by double digits. The Opals set up a rematch of the 2000 Olympic gold medal match against the USA. The United States outlasted the Opals in the fourth quarter to win 74–63, giving the Opals their second straight Olympic silver medal.[50]

The Opals headed to Brazil for the 2006 World Championships looking to win their sixth straight medal in international competitions. Led by Lauren Jackson's 21.3 points per game and Penny Taylor's 18 points per game, first and third best in the tournament respectively, the Opals played their best tournament to date.[13] Australia began the tournament with a forfeit victory over Lithuania.[51] They continued the trend by winning their next seven games decisively, with only one contest being decided by less than 10 points. In the gold medal game against Russia, the Opals led throughout, paced by Penny Taylor's 28 points and Lauren Jackson's 11 rebounds. At the final buzzer, the scoreboard read Australia 91, Russia 74; a convincing victory that delivered Australia's first ever basketball gold medal.[4][52] Penny Taylor was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.[33]

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Opals looked to reaffirm their title as World Champions. In the lead up, Australia went undefeated against Belarus, Brazil, South Korea, Latvia, Russia, Czech Republic and host China to set up a third straight gold medal match against the United States.[53] The Opals had trouble hitting the basket and shot just 24% en route to a 92–65 defeat.[54] The team earned their third straight Olympic silver medal, and their seventh straight international medal finish.[55] The 2000s was a golden era for the Opals, winning at least a bronze medal at every official FIBA tournament.

2010s: Ushering a new era[]

In 2010, the 16th edition of the World Championship was held in the Czech Republic. Pre-tournament favourites Australia, USA, and Russia, dominated play in the first two rounds. In the quarterfinals, however, Australia suffered a shock 79–68 loss to the Czech Republic.[56] The loss meant that the Opals could not finish any higher than 5th place, its worst international result since the early 1990s.[57]

Liz Cambage, the first woman in Olympic history to slam dunk a basketball

Looking to rebound from their disappointing 2010 result, the Opals qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games in London by beating New Zealand three games to nil in the 2011 FIBA Oceania Championship.[58][59] They finished the Olympic preliminary series with a 4 – 1 record, losing to France in game 2, but after Belinda Snell sank a well behind the half-court line 3-point shot with less than one second on the clock to send the game into overtime.[60][61] Against Russia, Liz Cambage became the first woman in Olympic history to successfully slam dunk a basketball.[62][63] In the quarterfinal against China, Lauren Jackson became the Olympic Games record holder for points scored, overtaking Brazilian legend Janeth Arcain's tally of 535 points.[64] The Opals accounted for China 75–60 to set up a semi-final game with their long-time rivals USA.[65] Despite holding a half-time lead, the Opals again fell short losing 86–73.[66] The Opals would however, win their 5th consecutive Olympic medal with an 83–74 win over Russia to claim the bronze.[67]

Leading up to the 2014 World Championship in Turkey, a number of long-serving players announced their retirements or declared themselves unavailable. Those players included Kristi Harrower, Jenni Screen, Kristen Veal, Abby Bishop, Kathleen MacLeod, Samantha Richards, Suzy Batkovic and Jenna O'Hea.[68][69][70][71][72][73] Three weeks before the start of the tournament, Lauren Jackson withdrew from the team because of a knee injury.[74] Two weeks later Liz Cambage ruptured her achilles tendon during a pre-tournament game and was ruled-out because of the injury.[75] This resulted in the selection of seven debutants into the squad of 12, a move seen as ushering in a new era of Opals basketball.[76] Despite the loss of veteran players, the Opals went through the preliminary rounds and quarter-final undefeated, setting up a semi-final clash with USA. In a hard-fought game, the Opals cut the lead from 16 points to just six early in the final quarter, before losing 82–70. The Opals would however claim their third bronze medal at world championships with a comfortable 74–44 win against host nation Turkey.[77] Penny Taylor was named to the tournament All-Star Five.[78]

The Opals qualified for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro following a series win against New Zealand in August 2015.[79] On 31 March 2016, Lauren Jackson announced her retirement from basketball, citing a chronic knee injury as the reason for her decision.[80] The Olympic squad was announced on 12 July 2016 and included seven Olympic debutants and only three players from the 2012 squad.[81] Notable exclusions included three-time Olympic medallist Suzy Batkovic, reigning WNBL MVP Abby Bishop and Rebecca Allen.[82] Despite slow starts which had plagued Australia throughout the tournament, the Opals finished on top of their group with a 5–0 record, outscoring Japan 33–15 in the final quarter to win by six points. In the Quarter-final, the Opals suffered a shock 73–71 loss to Serbia, conceding 26 turnovers and eliminating them from medal contention.[83] This ended a run of five successive Olympic medals dating back 20 years.[84] One highlight was Liz Cambage breaking Lauren Jackson's Australian Olympic record of points scored in a single game with 37 against Japan.[85] It was the third-highest haul by a woman in Olympic history and the highest in 28 years.[86]

Following the early exit from the Rio Olympics, Brendan Joyce was replaced in April 2017 by former Opals player and Phoenix Mercury head coach, Sandy Brondello.[87] Unlike previous years, the Opals qualified for the 2018 World Cup through the FIBA Women's Asia Cup held in India where they won a silver medal.[88][89] Kelsey Griffin was named tournament most valuable player.[90] With basketball returning to the Commonwealth Games for the first time since 2006, the Opals easily accounted for England in the final winning the gold-medal game 99–55.[91] At the 2018 World Cup held in Spain, the Opals led their group with a 3–0 record. They then defeated China 83–42 in the quarter-final and Spain 72–66 in the semi-final to set up a gold-medal final with their long-time rivals USA. The Opals lost the game 73–56 with head coach Sandy Brondello stating a lack of offence proved their downfall.[92] Liz Cambage led the tournament scoring with an average of 23.8 points per game and was named to the All-Star Five.[93]

Competitive record[]

Olympic Games[]

Women's basketball was introduced as an Olympic sport at Montreal in 1976.[94] From 1976 to 1992, only six countries (teams) participated in the Olympic tournament. However, in 1996 at Atlanta the tournament was expanded to twelve teams.[95] Through the 2016 Olympics, Australia qualified for the Olympic Games through competing in the FIBA Oceania Basketball Championship held each four years in the year preceding the games.[33] Typically, this tournament featured either a two or three-game series between Australia and New Zealand.[6][96] With the Oceania Championship having been discontinued after its 2015 edition, and FIBA having removed all women's continental championships except for EuroBasket Women from the Olympic qualification process in 2017, Australia will qualify for future Olympics through a two-stage process, starting with an Olympic pre-qualifying tournament involving Asian and Oceanian national teams in the year before the Olympics and followed by a worldwide Olympic qualifying tournament held in the year of the Games.[97]

Olympic Games
Year Round Position Pld W L Coach
Canada 1976 Did not qualify
Soviet Union 1980
United States 1984 Preliminary round 5th of 6 5 1 4 Flynn
South Korea 1988 Fourth place 4th of 8 5 2 3 Cadee
Spain 1992 Did not qualify
United States 1996 Bronze medallists 3rd of 12 8 5 3 Maher
Australia 2000 Silver medallists 2nd of 12 8 7 1 Maher
Greece 2004 Silver medallists 2nd of 12 8 7 1 Stirling
China 2008 Silver medallists 2nd of 12 8 7 1 Stirling
United Kingdom 2012 Bronze medallists 3rd of 12 8 6 2 Graf
Brazil 2016 Quarter-finals 5th of 12 6 5 1 Joyce
Japan 2020 Quarter-finals 8th of 12 4 1 3 Brondello
Total 60 41 19

World Cup[]

The first official Women's World Cup, known as the Women's World Championship through its 2014 edition, was held in Chile in 1953.[9] The tournament was expanded to 16 countries (teams) in 1990. Since 2017, Australia qualifies for the World Cup through competing in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup, held each four years in the year preceding the Women's World Cup. Before then, Australia qualified through the FIBA Oceania Championship.[33] Typically, this tournament featured either a two or three-game series between Australia and New Zealand.[6][98] FIBA discontinued the Oceania championships for both women and men after their respective 2015 editions, combining FIBA Asia and FIBA Oceania into a single zone for purposes of World Cup and Olympic qualification.

World Cup
Year Round Position Pld W L Coach
Chile 1953 Did not qualify
Brazil 1957 Classification round 10th of 12 6 2 4
Soviet Union 1959 did not qualify
Peru 1964 did not qualify
Czechoslovakia 1967 Classification round 10th of 11 6 1 5
Brazil 1971 Classification round 9th of 13 8 5 3
Colombia 1975 Classification round 10th of 13 7 4 3 Madigan
South Korea 1979 Fourth place 4th of 12 7 4 3 Madigan
Brazil 1983 Classification round 11th of 14 7 3 4 Flynn
Soviet Union 1986 Preliminary round 9th of 12 5 1 4 Cadee
Malaysia 1990 Quarter-finals 6th of 16 8 3 5 Cadee
Australia 1994 Fourth place 4th of 16 8 4 4 Maher
Germany 1998 Third place 3rd of 16 9 8 1 Maher
China 2002 Third place 3rd of 16 9 7 2 Stirling
Brazil 2006 Champions 1st of 16 9 9 0 Stirling
Czech Republic 2010 Quarter-finals 5th of 16 9 7 2 Graf
Turkey 2014 Third place 3rd of 16 6 5 1 Joyce
Spain 2018 Runners-up 2nd of 16 6 5 1 Brondello
Australia 2022 Qualified as host
Total 110 68 42

Asia Cup[]

Commencing in 2017, teams from Oceania and Asia zones competed together for the first time ever with the top four finishing teams qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

Asia Cup
Year Round Position Pld W L Coach
India 2017 Runners-up 2nd of 8 6 5 1 Chambers
India 2019 Third place 3rd of 8 6 4 2 Brondello
Jordan 2021 Third place 3rd of 8 6 4 2 Goriss
Total 18 13 5

Statistics[]

Australia statistical leaders
Event PPG RPG APG SPG BPG
Brazil 1957 B. Cockburn (9.5) – – – –
Czechoslovakia 1967 J. Forster (21.2) – – – –
Brazil 1971 R. Hannett (8.6) – – – –
Colombia 1975 M. Jackson (13.3) – – – –
South Korea 1979 M. Jackson (17.7) – – – –
Brazil 1983 R. Maher (11.6) – – – –
United States 1984 J. Nykiel (11.6) – – – –
Soviet Union 1986 K. Foster (10.3) – – – –
South Korea 1988 R. Maher (15.4) – – – –
Malaysia 1990 M. Timms (12.6) – – – –
Australia 1994 S. Sandie (11.9) R. Sporn (4.6) R. Maher (3.6) R. Maher (2.3) –
United States 1996 M. Timms (15.0) R. Sporn (7.4) M. Timms (3.5) M. Timms (2.1) –
Germany 1998 M. Brogan (13.1) M. Brogan (5.7) M. Timms (4.0) K. Harrower (1.7) –
Australia 2000 L. Jackson (15.9) L. Jackson (8.4) K. Harrower (3.8) C. Boyd (1.5) L. Jackson (2.3)
China 2002 L. Jackson (23.1) M. Brogan (5.6) K. Harrower (3.1) P. Taylor (2.4) L. Jackson (0.5)
Greece 2004 L. Jackson (22.9) L. Jackson (10.0) K. Harrower (2.8) P. Taylor (1.6) L. Jackson (1.6)
Brazil 2006 L. Jackson (21.3) L. Jackson (8.9) K. Harrower (3.9) P. Taylor (1.6) L. Jackson (1.3)
China 2008 L. Jackson (17.3) S. Batkovic (8.9) K. Harrower (4.4) P. Taylor (2.1) L. Jackson (0.7)
Czech Republic 2010 E. Cambage (13.6) L. Jackson (7.9) K. Harrower (2.6) K. Harrower (1.6) E. Cambage (1.0)
United Kingdom 2012 L. Jackson (15.9) L. Jackson (7.9) J. O'Hea (3.5) S. Batkovic (1.2) E. Cambage (1.6)
Turkey 2014 M. Tolo (12.2) M. Tolo (5.2) P. Taylor (4.8) E. Phillips (1.6) C. George (1.0)
Brazil 2016 E. Cambage (23.5) E. Cambage (10.3) P. Taylor (5.5) P. Taylor (2.0) M. Tolo (1.0)
Spain 2018 E. Cambage (23.6) E. Cambage (10.5) S. Talbot (4.0) R. Allen (2.1) E. Cambage (2.8)

Team[]

Current roster[]

Roster for the 2021 FIBA Women's Asia Cup.[99][100]

Australia women's national basketball team roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr.
G 4 Sami Whitcomb 33 – (1988-07-20)20 July 1988 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) New York Liberty United States
PG 6 Tiana Mangakahia 26 – (1995-04-21)21 April 1995 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) Dynamo Moscow Russia
PG 7 Kristy Wallace 25 – (1996-01-03)3 January 1996 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Southside Flyers Australia
F 8 Lauren Nicholson 28 – (1993-03-26)26 March 1993 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Townsville Fire Australia
G 9 19 – (2002-08-18)18 August 2002 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) Canberra Capitals Australia
G 10 Alexandra Sharp 24 – (1997-02-04)4 February 1997 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Perth Lynx Australia
G 11 21 – (2000-05-13)13 May 2000 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) Nebraska Cornhuskers United States
PF 12 Darcee Garbin 27 – (1994-06-24)24 June 1994 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Perth Lynx Australia
PF 13 Keely Froling 25 – (1996-01-31)31 January 1996 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) Sydney Uni Flames Australia
PF 14 Zitina Aokuso 22 – (1998-11-23)23 November 1998 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Townsville Fire Australia
PF 15 Lauren Scherf 25 – (1996-03-07)7 March 1996 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) Perth Lynx Australia
SG 22 Abigail Wehrung 25 – (1995-12-28)28 December 1995 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) Adelaide Lightning Australia
Head coach
  • Australia Paul Goriss
Assistant coach(es)
  • Australia Kristen Veal
Legend
  • Club – describes last
    club before the tournament
  • Age – describes age
    on 27 September 2021

2020 Olympic roster[]

The roster was announced on 26 May 2021.[101] Liz Cambage withdrew before the tournament on 16 July 2021 and replaced by Sara Blicavs.[102]

Australia women's national basketball team – 2020 Summer Olympics roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr.
G 4 Jenna O'Hea (C) 34 – (1987-06-06)6 June 1987 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Southside Flyers Australia
G 5 Leilani Mitchell 36 – (1985-06-15)15 June 1985 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) Washington Mystics United States
SF 6 Stephanie Talbot 27 – (1994-06-15)15 June 1994 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Seattle Storm United States
G 7 Tess Madgen 30 – (1990-08-12)12 August 1990 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Melbourne Boomers Australia
PF 8 Sara Blicavs 28 – (1993-02-15)15 February 1993 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Southside Flyers Australia
SF 9 Rebecca Allen 28 – (1992-11-06)6 November 1992 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) New York Liberty United States
G 10 Katie-Rae Ebzery 31 – (1990-01-08)8 January 1990 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) Perth Lynx Australia
F 11 Alanna Smith 24 – (1996-09-10)10 September 1996 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Phoenix Mercury United States
PG 12 Tessa Lavey 28 – (1993-03-29)29 March 1993 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) Bendigo Spirit Australia
F 13 Ezi Magbegor 21 – (1999-08-13)13 August 1999 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Seattle Storm United States
C 14 Marianna Tolo 32 – (1989-07-02)2 July 1989 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) University of Canberra Capitals Australia
F 15 Cayla George 32 – (1989-05-01)1 May 1989 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Melbourne Boomers Australia
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Australia Paul Goriss
  • Germany Olaf Lange
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Club – describes last
    club before the tournament
  • Age – describes age
    on 26 July 2021

Past World Cup squads[]

1957 Brazil
Australia 1957 Opals squad[104]
Eiler, Lorraine (Capt)
Burke, Nita
Cockburn, Bronte
Flanagan, Gaynor
Hill, Nancy
Hoban, Patricia
Homburg, Eril
Saunders, Melva
Thomas, Vern (Head Coach)
1967 Czechoslovakia
1967 Opals squad[105]
Forster, Jean (Capt)
Bain, Jean
Cooke, Dutchie
Delaney, Terese
Elliott, Elizabeth
Hammond, Fran
Lynch, Rayleen
Reilly, Maureen
Rowe, Pat
Ticehurst, Vickie
Waters, Carole
Wilson, Jean
Gaze, Tony (Head Coach)
1971 Brazil
1971 Opals squad[106]
Rowe, Pat (Capt)
Bain, Jean
Bauer, Glenys
Dhu, Agnes
Franks, Liz
Hammond, Jill
Hannett, Rhonda
Hynes, Rhonda
Tomlinson, Sandra
Verzeletti, Rose
Waters, Carole
Waters, Yvonne
Harris, Merv (Head Coach)
1975 Colombia
1975 Opals squad[107]
Hammond, Jill (Capt)
Bennie, Maree
Blicavs, Ilze
Bowman, Jan
Cheesman, Jenny
Graham (m. Stirling), Jan
Gross, Julie
Harcus, Sue
Maar, Karin
Misiewicz, Ann
Tomlinson, Sandra
Wilson, Dianne
Madigan, Jim (Head Coach)
1979 South Korea
1979 Opals squad[108]
Hammond, Jill (Capt)
Amiet, Sharon
Cheesman, Jenny
Cook (née Wilson), Dianne
Maar, Karin
Gross, Julie
Jackson (née Bennie), Maree
Maher (née Gull), Robyn
Mickan, Patricia
Nykiel, Julie
Smithwick, Jan
Williams, Janet
Madigan, Jim (Head Coach)
1983 Brazil
1983 Opals squad[109]
Cheesman, Jenny (Capt)
Cockrem, Patricia
Dalton, Karen
Deacon, Sharon
Fields, Karin
Foster, Kathy
Laidlaw, Wendy
Maher, Robyn
Marshall, Bronwyn
Mickan, Patricia
Nykiel, Julie
Ogden, Karen
Flynn, Brendan (Head Coach)
1986 Soviet Union
1986 Opals squad[110]
Cheesman, Jenny (Capt)
Brown, Donna
Dalton, Karen
Foster, Kathy
Geh, Sue
Maher, Robyn
Marshall, Bronwyn
Mickan, Patricia
Nykiel, Julie
Rowe, Marisa
Timms, Michele
White, Maree
Cadee, Robbie (Head Coach)
1990 Malaysia
1990 Opals squad[111]
Maher, Robyn (Capt)
Brondello, Sandy
Browning, Tracey
Dalton, Karen
Gorman, Shelley
Hamilton, Lucille
Moffa, Marina
Moyle, Joanne
Reisener, Jenny
Sporn, Rachael
Thornton, Samantha
Timms, Michele
Cadee, Robbie (Head Coach)
1994 Australia
1994 Opals squad[112]
Maher, Robyn (Capt)
Brogan, Michelle
Brondello, Sandy
Dalton, Karen
Fallon, Trish
La Fleur, Annie
Sandie, Shelley
Sporn, Rachael
Thornton, Samantha
Timms, Michele
Tranquilli, Allison
Whittle, Jenny
Maher, Tom (Head Coach)
1998 Germany
1998 Opals squad[113]
Maher, Robyn (Capt)
Boyd, Carla
Brogan, Michelle
Brondello, Sandy
Harrower, Kristi
Hill, Jo
Jackson, Lauren
La Fleur, Annie
Sporn, Rachael
Timms, Michele
Tranquilli, Allison
Whittle, Jenny
Maher, Tom (Head Coach)
2002 China
2002 Opals squad[114]
Harrower, Kristi (Capt)
Batkovic, Suzy
Brogan, Michelle
Brondello, Sandy
Fallon, Trish
Grima, Hollie
Hodges, Laura
Jackson, Lauren
Kingi, Jae
Taylor, Penny
Tranquilli, Allison
Whittle, Jenny
Stirling, Jan (Head Coach)
2006 Brazil
2006 Opals squad[115]
Whittle, Jenny (Capt)
Bevilaqua, Tully
Grima, Hollie
Harrower, Kristi
Hodges, Laura
Jackson, Lauren
McInerny, Emily
Phillips, Erin
Randall, Emma
Screen, Jennifer
Snell, Belinda
Taylor, Penny
Stirling, Jan (Head Coach)
2010 Czech Republic
2010 Opals squad[116]
Jackson, Lauren (Capt)
Bevilaqua, Tully
Bishop, Abby
Cambage, Liz
Grima, Hollie
Harrower, Kristi
O'Hea, Jenna
Phillips, Erin
Richards, Samantha
Snell, Belinda
Taylor, Penny
Tolo, Marianna
Graf, Carrie (Head Coach)
2014 Turkey
2014 Opals squad[117]
Taylor, Penny (captain)
Allen, Rebecca
Burton, Natalie
Francis, Cayla
Hodges, Laura
Jarry, Rachel
Lavey, Tessa
Mitchell, Leilani
Phillips, Erin
Richards, Gabrielle
Snell, Belinda
Tolo, Marianna
Joyce, Brendan (Head Coach)
2018 Spain
2018 Opals squad[118]
O'Hea, Jenna (captain)
Allen, Rebecca
Bunton, Alex
Cambage, Liz
Ebzery, Katie-Rae
Francis, Cayla
Lavey, Tessa
Madgen, Tess
Magbegor, Ezi
Smith, Alanna
Talbot, Stephanie
Whitcomb, Sami
Sandy Brondello (Head Coach)

Past Olympics squads[]

1984 Los Angeles
Games of the XXIII Olympiad[119]
Cheesman, Jenny (Capt)
Cockrem, Patricia
Dalton, Karen
Foster, Kathy
Geh, Sue
Laidlaw, Wendy
Maher, Robyn
Marshall, Bronwyn
Mickan, Patricia
Moffa, Marina
Nykiel, Julie
Quinn, Donna
Flynn, Brendan (Head Coach)
1988 Seoul
Games of the XXIV Olympiad[120]
Cheesman, Jenny (Capt)
Brondello, Sandy
Brown (née Quinn), Donna
Dalton, Karen
Gorman, Shelley
Maher, Robyn
Mickan, Patricia
Moffa, Marina
Nykiel, Julie
Slimmon, Debbie
Timms, Michele
White, Maree
Cadee, Robbie (Head Coach)
1996 Atlanta
Games of the XXVI Olympiad[121]
Maher, Robyn (Capt)
Boyd, Carla
Brogan, Michelle
Brondello, Sandy
Chandler, Michelle
Cook, Allison
Fallon, Trish
Robinson, Fiona
Sandie (née Gormon), Shelley
Sporn, Rachael
Timms, Michele
Whittle, Jenny
Maher, Tom (Head Coach)
2000 Sydney
Games of the XXVII Olympiad[122]
Timms, Michele (Capt)
Boyd, Carla
Brondello, Sandy
Fallon, Trish
Griffiths (née Brogan), Michelle
Harrower, Kristi
Hill, Jo
Jackson, Lauren
La Fleur, Annie
Sandie, Shelley
Sporn, Rachael
Whittle, Jenny
Maher, Tom (Head Coach)
2004 Athens
Games of the XXVIII Olympiad[123]
Fallon, Trish (Capt)
Batkovic, Suzy
Brondello, Sandy
Harrower, Kristi
Jackson, Lauren
Porter, Natalie
Poto, Alicia
Snell, Belinda
Sporn, Rachael
Summerton, Laura
Taylor, Penny
Tranquilli, Allison
Stirling, Jan (Head Coach)
2008 Beijing
Games of the XXIX Olympiad[124]
Jackson, Lauren (Capt)
Batkovic, Suzy
Bevilaqua, Tully
Cox, Rohanee
Grima, Hollie
Harrower, Kristi
Phillips, Erin
Randall, Emma
Screen, Jennifer
Snell, Belinda
Summerton, Laura
Taylor, Penny
Stirling, Jan (Head Coach)
2012 London
Games of the XXX Olympiad[125]
Jackson, Lauren (Capt)
Batkovic, Suzy
Bishop, Abby
Cambage, Liz
Harrower, Kristi
Hodges, Laura
Jarry, Rachel
MacLeod, Kathleen
O'Hea, Jenna
Richards, Samantha
Screen, Jennifer
Snell, Belinda
Graf, Carrie (Head Coach)
2016 Rio de Janeiro
Games of the XXXI Olympiad[126]
Taylor, Penny (Capt)
Burton, Natalie
Cambage, Liz
Ebzery, Katie-Rae
George, Cayla
Hodges, Laura
Jarry, Rachel
Lavey, Tessa
Mitchell, Leilani
Phillips, Erin
Talbot, Stephanie
Tolo, Marianna
Joyce, Brendan (Head Coach)
2020 Tokyo
Games of the XXXII Olympiad[127][128]
O'Hea, Jenna (Capt)
Allen, Bec
Blicavs, Sara
Ebzery, Katie-Rae
George, Cayla
Lavey, Tessa
Madgen, Tess
Magbegor, Ezi
Mitchell, Leilani
Smith, Alanna
Talbot, Stephanie
Tolo, Marianna
Brondello, Sandy (Head Coach)

International caps[]

The following is a chronological list of Australian players who have played at official senior FIBA international tournaments (Olympic Games and World Cups). The list includes both past and present players. Active players are shown in bold. Where two or more players debuted in the same series, their cap number is determined by their official uniform number (and not alphabetically). As of the 2020 Olympic Games, 112 players have represented Australia at Olympic Games and World Cups. There were no debutants at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

† Deceased

Individual achievements[]

Opals all-time games played[]

Rank Name Games Career World Championships Olympic Games
1 Robyn Maher* 374[129] 1979–1999 1979, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1994 & 1998 1984, 1988 & 1996
2 Rachael Sporn* 304[129] 1990–2004 1990, 1994 & 1998 1996, 2000 & 2004
3 Sandy Brondello* 302[129] 1988–2004 1990, 1994, 1998 & 2002 1988, 1996, 2000 & 2004
4 Michele Timms* 264[130] 1986–2000 1986, 1990, 1994 & 1998 1988, 1996 & 2000
5 Jenny Whittle* 262[129] 1994–2006 1994, 1998, 2002 & 2006 1996 & 2000
6 Shelley Sandie* (née Gorman) 258[129] 1988–2003 1990 & 1994 1988, 1996 & 2000
7 Karen Dalton* 252[129] 1983–1994 1983, 1986, 1990 & 1994 1984 & 1988
8 Allison Tranquilli (née Cook) 239[129] 1994–2004 1994, 1998 & 2002 1996 & 2004
9 Trisha Fallon* 212[129] 1994–2004 1994 & 2002 1996, 2000 & 2004
10 Kristi Harrower* 209 1998–2012 1998, 2002, 2006 & 2010 2000, 2004, 2008 & 2012
11 Michelle Brogan (m. Griffiths) 180[131] 1994–2003 1994, 1998 & 2002 1996 & 2000
12 Jenny Cheesman* 167[132] 1975–1988 1975, 1979, 1983 & 1986 1984 & 1988
13 Lauren Jackson 150+[133] 1998–2016 1998, 2002, 2006 & 2010 2000, 2004, 2008 & 2012
14 Patricia Mickan 150[134] 1979–1989 1979, 1983 & 1986 1984 & 1988

Legend

  • Games played is current as at the completion of the London Olympic Games in August 2012.
  • (*) denotes the player is a member of the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame.
  • Italic denotes the player is still active.

Opals Team Captains[]

Team captain Period Tournaments
Lorraine Eiler 1957 1957 World Championship
Jean Forster 1967 1967 World Championship
Pat Rowe 1971 1971 World Championship
Jill Hammond 1975–1979 1975 World Championship
1979 World Championship
Jenny Cheesman 1980–1988 1980 Pre Olympic Qualification Tournament
1982 Oceania Championship
1983 World Championship
1983 Oceania Championship
1984 Pre Olympic Qualification Tournament
1984 Olympic Games
1985 Oceania Championship
1986 World Championship
1987 Oceania Championship
1988 Olympic Games
Robyn Maher 1990–1998 1990 World Championship
1992 Pre Olympic Qualification Tournament
1994 World Championship
1995 Oceania Championship
1996 Olympic Games
1997 Oceania Championship
1998 World Championship
Michele Timms 1999–2000 1999 Oceania Championship
2000 Olympic Games
Rachael Sporn 2001 2001 Oceania Championship
Kristi Harrower 2002 2002 World Championship
Trisha Fallon 2003–2004 2003 Oceania Championship
2004 FIBA Diamond Ball Tournament
2004 Olympic Games
Jenny Whittle 2005–2006 2005 Oceania Championship
2006 Commonwealth Games
2006 World Championship
Natalie Porter 2007 2007 Oceania Championship
Lauren Jackson 2008–2013 2008 FIBA Diamond Ball Tournament
2008 Olympic Games
2009 Oceania Championship
2010 World Championship
2011 Oceania Championship
2012 Olympic Games
2013 Oceania Championship
Penny Taylor 2014, 2016 2014 World Championship
2016 Olympic Games
Laura Hodges 2015, 2017 2015 Oceania Championship
2017 Asia Cup
Belinda Snell 2018 2018 Commonwealth Games
Jenna O'Hea 2018–2021 2018 World Cup
2019 Asia Cup
2020 Olympic Games
Sami Whitcomb 2021 2021 Asia Cup

Legend

  • Tournaments are those officially sanctioned by FIBA.

See also[]

References[]

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External links[]

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