THE 2024 Paris Olympics are set to kick off in the next 48 hours, with Australia’s basketball hopes high with both the men’s and women’s teams taking strong sides into the world’s premier tournament.
The Opals are one of the favourites in the women’s basketball tournament, and will be hoping to leave the off-court drama of years gone by in the past as they shape up for a realistic medal attempt.
Boasting an impressive roster that contains one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, the Opals should make a deep run in Paris and could bring home the goods in a month’s time.
AUSTRALIAN OPALS
The Team
Bringing the best Australian basketball has to offer, the Opals have plenty of players at each position that can play valuable minutes on the big stage.
The biggest story of the roster is the return of Jackson, who will be suiting up for her fifth Olympics and looking to bring home the gold for the first time. Arguably the best player Australia has ever produced, the 43-year-old will again play a crucial role for the Opals and has demonstrated that throughout each of the warm-up games, where the defence has still struggled to contain her.
Unfortunately, there was a heartbreak story on the eve of the Olympics, with Bec Allen missing through injury. She was initially named to the squad, but was forced to withdraw yesterday after suffering a hamstring injury, and Atwell came into the team to replace her at the last minute, making her Olympic debut.
Speaking of debuts, the Aussies will be excited about the inclusion of young duo Melbourne and Borlase. The pair loom as the future of Australian basketball, and will be representing their country at the Olympics for the first time. Melbourne has been starting throughout the exhibition matches, and looks right at home against the best in the world.
THE GROUP
Australia
Canada
Nigeria
France
The Opals have a strong chance of making it through the group stages, and are likely the strongest outfit in their group.
Canada will boast some WNBA talent, Nigeria is typically competitive at international level, and France has home court advantage, but the Opals are currently one of the best sides in the world, and they certainly have the tools to make a deep run at the Olympics.
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