THE Australian Opals side for the upcoming friendly against Japan was announced on Thursday, with one common feature througout. All players listed on the team are currently on the list of an NBL1 side, as the competition continues to grow and develop some of the game’s premier female basketballers. While many of these players double as WNBL stars too, they are still proving to be essential viewing in their respective NBL1 competitions.

With big names such as Tess Madgen, Maddison Rocci and Lauren Scherf on the team, there will be no shortage of star power. Coach Cheryl Chambers and her staff have selected a purely local list, which is a massive wrap for the way the Australian basketball factory is progressing. It is certainly a squad that could take it right up to Japan in the series, and will likely catch the eye of selectors moving forward.

The opportunity also gives these players a chance to impress with the FIBA World Cup on the cards later in the year. There are a number of spots up for grabs on the biggest stage possible, so don’t expect the players to take the series against Japan lightly, with the opportuinity to impress for future selections.

The series kicks off at the Quaycentre on Friday night, where the first of a three-game seires tips off at 7pm. Game two will take place at the same venue a couple of days later, before proceedings head to Newcastle, with game three being held at Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Tuesday night.

It is the first time the two sides will face off since Australia fell to Japan by just two points in the 2021 FIBA World Cup. The Aussies were looking promising throughout the campaign, so the disappointment is likely still fresh in the minds of the players and coaches.

It will be one of the last opportunities for the players to impress before the World Cup kicks off in September, so expect all of those in the team to leave nothing in the tank. The friendly series will be broadcast on ESPN and Kayo over the weekend, with many eyes likely on the team as they look to bounce back from last year’s World Cup defeat, which left many disappointed.

Sara Blicavs (Geelong)

Rebecca Cole (Waverley)

Keely Froling (Launceston)

Darcee Garbin (Frankston)

Cayla George (Cairns)

Shyla Heal (Northside)

Jade Melbourne (Ballarat)

Tess Madgen (Bendigo)

Lauren Nicholson (Sutherland)

Steph Reid (Townsville)

Maddi Rocci (USC)

Lauren Scherf (Kilsyth)