Lauren Jackson ready for Paris with Opals squad to be unveiled
That she had a 38-point, 11-rebound outburst against the Melbourne Boomers in the WNBL semi-final highlighted that the three-time WNBA most valuable player, and four-time WNBL MVP, still belongs at the top level.
Jackson initially returned to the international scene ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Sydney, where, having helped to reshape the Opals’ culture back to a team-first mentality, she poured in 30 points in the bronze-medal winning game.
Rising guns Jade Melbourne and Isobel Borlase, who took part in the qualifying series, were also named in the extended squad, as was college star Georgia Amoore, who plays for Virginia Tech and is eligible for the WNBA draft.
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Talls Marianna Tolo and Ezi Magbegor will have key roles to play, but important small forward Sarah Blicavs (leg), who underwent surgery this week, was overlooked. The squad will be cut to 12 after training camps and exhibition games.
“Our squad is full of exceptional talent, and they will make the decision to pick a final 12 very difficult. We have Canada, Nigeria and France in our pool, so we are focused on that, and what is required to get onto the podium [in Paris],” Brondello said.
Opals squad: Rebecca Allen, Zitina Aokuso, Georgia Amoore, Amy Atwell, Chloe Bibby, Isobel Borlase, Keely Froling, Darcee Garbin, Cayla George, Shyla Heal, Lauren Jackson, Alice Kunek, Tess Madgen, Ezi Magbegor, Anneli Maley, Jade Melbourne, Lauren Nicholson, Stephanie Reid, Maddison Rocci, Lauren Scherf, Alex Sharp, Alanna Smith, Stephanie Talbot, Marianna Tolo, Kristy Wallace, Sami Whitcomb.
*All players are subject to availability and fitness.
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