Paris Games 2024: Rookie Opal Izzy Borlase adds another chapter to her family’s rich sporting pedigree with bronze in Paris
Izzy Borlase has plenty to live up to in a family filled with SANFL and netball stardom. But the rookie Opal more than held her own in her role in Australia’s bronze medal efforts in Paris.
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SANFL legend Darryl Borlase says he rarely gives advice to his Opals point guard daughter Izzy because she wouldn’t listen anyway.
On the last day of the Paris Games she added an Olympic chapter to the epic story of South Australian sporting royalty.
Dad Darryl won four premierships in the SANFL with Port Adelaide, netballing mum Jenny won three world championships with Australia, brother James is on Adelaide’s AFL list and sister Ella has represented Australia in surf boat rowing.
The 19-year-old basketball prodigy recovered from a calf injury that it can be revealed could have seen her sent home from Paris before the tournament started.
Then a player who only suited up in Opals colours for the first time in February showed her stunning talent with a second-half cameo against eventual gold medallist America.
As Australia beat Belgium to send Hall of Famer Lauren Jackson off in the best possible manner, Borlase showed she is an Opals star in the making.
Jenny and Darryl rode the highs and lows of the Olympic tournament from the pool rounds in Lille, where Izzy barely played, to the bronze medal euphoria.
“I think it still hasn’t sunk in. It was just amazing,” said Darryl Borlase post-match.
“It’s hard to describe. Really, we’ve been here for two weeks, and the atmosphere in Lille in the pool games was just something else never seen at a basketball game before. And then for these girls to stand up like they did today, it was just amazing.
“(Coach) Sandy (Brondello) did show a bit of trust in her first up, and a few little nervous errors in those couple of pool games, and she got a chance in the semi-final against US. And she just let loose, and she played with a bit of freedom and she got a bit of confidence back.”
At only 19 Borlase has already been drafted by the Atlanta Dream with pick 20 and after remaining in Australia this year to concentrate on her maiden Olympic campaign she has the sporting world at her feet.
Mother Jenny is still floored by how quickly her daughter found her path to Olympic glory.
“She didn’t expect to be in this environment so quickly. She said in the kitchen one day when we were cooking, that she’d love to be a training partner at the Olympics.
“That was her goal. So to be in the team was probably more than she ever expected. But anyway, she took that on.
It took a little while to overcome those nerves in a tough environment, but she was able to do that, and then make that contribution to the team and in the end result is so great. I hope she celebrates and loves it.”
Borlase’s moments might have been brief cameos but she impressed when she played.
Her great mate and fellow guard Jade Melbourne showed she is a star in the making as 24-year-old Ezi Magbegor was lauded as unstoppable for her 30-point performance in the bronze medal clash.
Melbourne says she can’t wait to join forces with Borlase in the Opals’ backcourt for years to come.
The pair share a tight bond dating back to their junior days with the Under 19s Australian side.
“Three years ago we were roommates at the under 19s World Cup and now we’re winning a bronze medal at the Olympics,” a joyful Melbourne said.
“The fact that I think I’ll be playing a lot of basketball with her in the future is really exciting.
“Izzy is one of my best friends on the team and I think she came in and made a huge impact.
“We saw her top score in the semi-final against the USA.
“The fact that I think I’ll be playing a lot of basketball with her in the future is really exciting
“It’s a pretty special feeling and I’m looking forward to the future and I think we’re going to go OK.”
Borlase loved every minute of her maiden Olympics in Paris.
She reserved special praise for the senior players for making the experience so special.
“It has been amazing,” Borlase said.
“I don’t think there is a better leader than Tess (Madgen). The way that she stepped up and she has really led this group.
“Then LJ and all the senior girls. I’ve looked up to them since I was a little girl and now I’m here playing with them.”
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