WNBA commitments keeping Ezi Magbegor from World Cup preparation

A key player in Australia’s FIBA World Cup campaign is using social media to remain connected with Opals teammates as the countdown begins to the tournament in Sydney this month.

Ezi Magbegor (right) in action for Australia against Puerto Rico at the Olympic Games.

Ezi Magbegor is using social media to remain connected with Opals teammates and legend Lauren Jackson, knowing her pursuit of another WNBA Championship with Seattle could force her to miss Australia’s start to the FIBA Women’s World Cup this month.

Magbegor is yet to book a flight from the US to Australia for the World Cup because her Seattle Storm are still fighting for the WNBA title.

However, the Storm must win on Wednesday to send their semi-final series against Las Vegas to a deciding fifth game after falling to the Aces in overtime of game 3 on Monday.

Magbegor and Opals teammate Steph Talbot combined for 22 points off the bench in the defeat and could be back in Australia anytime from the end of this week to the end of the month should Seattle make the best-of-five WNBA Finals, meaning the pair would miss the Australia’s opening game on September 22 against France.

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Ezi Magbegor (right) in action for Australia against Puerto Rico at the Olympic Games.

A WNBA champion in 2020 with Seattle, the 23-year-old hopes when she does fly home it will be with another ring.

“It would be awesome to win a championship. It’s been a go, go, go season and we’re literally going from a WNBA season to a World Cup then other seasons after that, I’ll be going to Europe,” she said.

“While the Opals are preparing we are staying in contact, in the What’s App group and the World Cup is in the back of our minds and we’re excited but we’ve got to focus on the play-offs right now but the World Cup is definitely something I’m thinking about.

“Being able to play with Steph the last couple of years has been pretty special and then to have her as my teammate on the Opals as well. To have a World Cup in Australia I think it’ll be nice to finish this season and go home and play in front of family and friends.

“Depending on this series, obviously hoping we go through. If the Finals Series goes to game 5 then that game is on September 20 which is the 21st in Australia so we’d miss the first game against France but if it went to three or four we’d get to Sydney just before the tournament starts but it will be a very quick turnaround.”

Ezi Magbegor #13 will finish her commitments with the Seattle Storm before coming to Australia for the World Cup. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The 193cm forward from Melbourne was last week named in the WNBA All-Defensive Second team, recognition for career-best numbers on the defensive end where she was second in the league for blocks per game (1.8).

“It was pretty cool. Having a bigger role at the start of the season, being able to start and be a bigger defensive presence for my team was something I know the team needed from me,” she said.

“Whether that was blocking shots or helping my teammates where I could, I think that’s where I grew this season.”

Playing in the WNBA means Magbegor is yet to step foot on court with comeback queen and Seattle legend Lauren Jackson and there’s a chance they might not be on the floor together until the pool games of the World Cup.

“I never thought I’d get the chance to play with LJ so it’s just awesome. She’s done amazing to get her body back and put herself in the best position to be selected, she was able to make camps and show she was ready to play,” she said.

“It’s just exciting what she’s done for herself, the team and the World Cup in Australia will feature the best players in the world and the comeback of Lauren as well.”

The Opals are in camp on the Gold Coast this week ahead of the tournament which tips off on September 22.

Originally published as WNBA commitments keeping Ezi Magbegor from World Cup preparation