BASKETBALL

FIBA

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

IN what will be her third time repping the green and gold at the top level, Traralgon’s Jade Melbourne will be heading over to Germany this September.

Officially selected to the Australian Opals squad ahead of the FIBA Women’s World Cup, Melbourne gets the chance to make it back-to-back medals for her country.

The 12-player squad was announced on Monday (July 27), featuring six members of the 2024 Olympic bronze medal team, which included Traralgon’s own.

Melbourne has familiarity with Alanna Smith, team captain Sami Whitcomb, Steph Talbot and WNBA teammate of the Seattle Storm Ezi Magbegor (who has visited the Latrobe Valley in recent years).

New WNBL teammate at the Bendigo Spirit, Isobel Borlase, is also in the World Cup squad and won the bronze medal with Melbourne.

The Opals are again being coached by Sandy Brondello, who has coached the Australian women’s national team since 2017, having won silver and bronze medals at the 2018 and 2022 world cups, as well as the recent Olympic bronze medal.

“I’m very confident in this group. We have a great mix of experience, talent and chemistry,” Brondello said.

“Sami is the Opals captain and is an amazing leader. She will (be) well supported by Ezi, Alanna, Steph and Jade.

“While our preparation is short with this full group, we trust the work we’ve done over the past few years, we believe in each other, and know it’s about being at our best when it matters most.

“If we play to our identity, we know we can compete with anyone.”

Brondello is supported with a coaching contingent of Paul Goriss, Kennedy Kereama and Renae Garlepp, the latter of which is the latest WBL head coach of Moe’s Jaz Shelley at the Sydney Flames.

Shelley was listed on the extended Opals squad in the lead-up to the final announcement.

Over in the WNBA, Melbourne’s Seattle Storm are struggling immensely.

The Storm have won just six of its 29 games at the all star break of the season, with Melbourne averaging career-highs in points (8.8 per game), assists (3.8), rebounds (two) and steals (0.9).

Melbourne played five World Cup qualifying games for the Opals this year, but her trip to Germany from September 4 to 13 will be her World Cup debut.