FIBA Asia Cup 2023: Opals reveal 12-woman team for Sydney tournament

With a host of big-names unavailable, the Opals players selected for this month’s Asia Cup have a great chance to plead their case for the Paris Olympics.

Michael Randall

@MickRandallHS

2 min read

June 20, 2023 - 1:44PM

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First-time Opals coach Shannon Seebohm has unveiled the FIBA Asia Cup team that will take the floor for the first time since last year’s rose gold World Cup success.

With a host of stars unavailable due to WNBA commitments, Seebohm leant on Opals coach Sandy Brondello in selecting a squad that mixes World Cup bronze medallists Tess Madgen, Darcee Garbin and Anneli Maley with green and gold debutantes Chloe Bibby, Chantel Horvat and Amy Atwell.

“It’s been a lengthy process and I’ve been working closely with Sandy and the other assistant coaches in picking the group and putting the right people in place,” Seebohm said.

“We’ve had a few injuries in the lead up and several who were unavailable, so that’s thrown a spanner in the works but we’ve picked a squad that continues to represent the Opals culture, that's going to play a really hard and tough brand of basketball and I’m excited by what I’ve seen so far.”

Rebounding machine Anneli Maley will play a key role for the Opals.

With the likes of WNBL MVP Cayla George, imposing tall Ezi Magbegor and scoring machines Sami Whitcomb among those on WNBA duty, Seebohm believes those who made the squad for Sydney will see a chance to plead their case for next year’s Paris Olympics.

“Whilst we don’t have some of the mainstays who have been in the program for a long time available, it’s a good opportunity for some of these girls who have been working their butt off to try to play for the Opals to cement themselves,” he said.

“There’s a changing of the guard coming with some of the older players moving on, so this is the perfect time for our younger players and the players scratching to get in to prove why they should be there.”

Reigning WNBL Coach of the Year Shannon Seebohm will make his Opals’ coaching debut at the Asia Cup. Picture: Getty Images

Seebohm said there was an added urgency to the Opals preparation and tournament in the wake of the heartbreaking news initial squad member Tiana Mangakahia was, this month, forced to retire after she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.

“It was a tough, bitter pill to swallow,” Seebohm said of Mangakahia, who, four years ago, was able to fight back from an initial cancer diagnosis to return to the court.

“What she’s been through already and for her to get that tough news it’s rocked everyone and certainly put a lot of things in perspective for myself and the team.

“Everyone’s keen to do whatever we can to support Tiana and the girls will band together for this Asia Cup and be out playing as hard as they can, representing her.”

Seebohm said the initial goal was to finish in the top four at the tournament, which would ensure progression in Olympic qualifying.

Tess Madgen, pictured with Darcee Garbin, will captain the Asia Cup team. Picture: Getty Images

Shyla Heal is back in the green and gold fold.

The Opals tip off their Asia Cup campaign on the opening night of the tournament, Monday, June 26, facing Philippines before clashes with Chinese Taipei the next night and third-ranked Japan on Wednesday, June 28.

Favourites on home turf, a chance to avenge the World Cup loss to China looms, depending on pool results.