‘Her time will come’: Opals coach Sandy Brondello backs USA’s bold Paris Olympics selection call

Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snubbing is the talk of the basketball world. Opals coach Sandy Brondello chats to MATT LOGUE about the big selection call and the young Australian making waves in the WNBA.

Opals coach Sandy Brondello has backed Team USA’s bold decision not to blood generational talent Caitlin Clark at the Paris Olympics.

The Americans made global headlines this week when Clark wasn’t named in their all-conquering squad for a shot at an eighth consecutive gold medal.

The decision to snub the WNBA superstar was dubbed “dumb” in some quarters given the guard’s immense skill and global popularity.

Brondello understands the upset feelings around Clark’s omission but believes the 22-year-old has time on her side.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever has caused a stir after she didn’t make Team USA’s squad for this year’s Paris Olympics. Photo: Brian Fluharty/Getty Images.

She also feels Team USA selected its 12-player roster on worthiness, which is why seven players from the gold medal-winning Tokyo team will return to Paris, including six-time Olympian Diana Taurasi.

“Caitlin is a wonderful player and will no doubt play in multiple Olympics in the future but her time will come,” Brondello said.

“It is Team USA and they always have a ton of star power. They selected the team on merit.”

Brondello is locked in the WNBA season coaching the New York Liberty but also has one eye on the Paris Olympics in July as Opals coach.

She is feeling optimistic about a return to the podium for the Australian women following an underwhelming eighth-place finish in Tokyo.

Brondello believes the Opals are perfectly placed heading into Paris but is particularly excited about the WNBA form of rising guard Jade Melbourne after she put on a points-scoring show against her New York side.

The Washington Mystics talent had a breakout 21 points in less than 14 minutes during a close loss to the Liberty as Brondello watched on from the stands.

“Jade is special and will only keep getting better,” Brondello said.

The youngest player in the @WNBA was HOOPIN’ last night 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AKcX9oWNOk

— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) June 10, 2024

The Opals will continue their preparations for Paris with a tour to Japan this month.

A 12-player Australian team, selected from the Olympic squad of 26, will play Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Japan in the Mitsui Fudosan Cup on June 20 and June 21 in Sapporo.

Cayla George, Darcee Garbin, Lauren Nicholson, Alice Kunek, Maddison Rocci, Isobel Borlase and Stephanie Reid, who were recently part of a 2-1 series win over China, will again represent Australia.

Dual Olympian Marianna Tolo headlines five inclusions, including Shyla Heal, Keely Froling, Lauren Scherf and Amy Atwell, who will participate in their first tour of the Opals’ lead-up to the Olympics.

Brondello said international tours provided great opportunities for players to be rotated through touring teams and have valuable court time.

“The recent China series was fantastic preparation for our team and to come away with two wins is a confidence boost,” she said.

“We always stress the importance of international game time and Japan will give the players and coaches an opportunity to continue to build for Paris.”

MITSUI FUDOSAN CUP 2024

Opals v Japan

June 20, 9pm (AEST)

June 21, 9pm (AEST)

Hokkaido Sports Center, Japan

Opals squad for Mitsui Fudosan Cup

Amy Atwell, Isobel Borlase, Keely Froling, Darcee Garbin, Cayla George, Shyla Heal, Alice Kunek, Lauren Nicholson, Stephanie Reid, Maddy Rocci, Lauren Scherf, Marianna Tolo.

Coach: Cheryl Chambers

Assistant coach: Shannon Seebohm

Originally published as ‘Her time will come’: Opals coach Sandy Brondello backs USA’s bold Paris Olympics selection call