World Cup Basketball: Lauren Jackson the answer to front court gaping hole

Liz Cambage left a big hole in the Opals World Cup hopes but the comeback of Lauren Jackson has completed the front court puzzle.

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One gaping hole in the Opals roster left by Liz Cambage has been more than adequately filled.

Lauren Jackson, one of the greatest to ever play the game, and still world class could not be a more perfect replacement in our front court.

She will support, and be supported by, one of Australia’s brightest emerging stars Ezi Magbegor, the experience and size of Marianna Tolo and the perimeter threats of Cayla George and Darcee Garbin.

Steph Talbot returns in time from a successful WNBA season.

WNBL MVP Anneli Maley will make her major tournament debut, WNBA and EuroCup sharpshooter Rebecca Allen and Opals regular Sara Blicavs form a formidable rotation on the wings.

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Darcee Garbin, Cayla George, Ezi Magbegor and Lauren Jackson form a formidable front court for the Opals

The success of the Opals campaign, however, will lay right in the middle of its second gaping hole, and squarely on the shoulders of three players who will have the responsibility of filling it: the absence of a true point guard.

The Opals overlooked young, developing point guards Jade Melbourne and Shyla Heal in favour of experienced combo guards, and potentially our three most important Opals at this World Cup, Tess Madgen, Sami Whitcomb, and Kristy Wallace.

Tess Madgen was named captain of the Opals and underlines her competitive drive, emotional leadership, and improved scoring ability she brings to the team.

At WNBL level, and under WNBL officiating, Madgen has superior strength, size and ability to comfortable navigate opposition defenders.

Most recently, in her championship winning season with the Melbourne Boomers, Madgen had import guard Lindsay Allen as her backcourt running mate, who would often be defended by their quickest opposition guards.

An historically reluctant ball carrier, Madgen has improved her ability to advance the ball down the floor but lacks years of experience of seeing the game through a point guard’s eyes and understanding how and when to get the ball to teammates when her team’s offensive structure is taken away.

Tess Magden has improved her ability to advance the ball down the floor. Picture: Getty Images

Throughout the Tokyo Olympics, in looking to do so, Madgen recorded more turnovers than assists as she stepped up for starting point guard, Leilani Mitchell, who struggled.

An elite shooter, and strong straight-line driver, Madgen’s on floor strengths exist when she has time and space.

Expect better opposition defenders to take away both as soon as she possesses the ball.

Sami Whitcomb is the closest player the Opals have to a genuine point guard.

An international level scorer and lethal shooter, Whitcomb’s absolute strength is creating her own shot, from both on and off the ball.

Earlier this year, Whitcomb was given primary point guard responsibilities, and led the Opals in minutes, scoring and assists while progressing through the World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

Concerningly, like Madgen, Whitcomb recorded more turnovers (5) than assists (4.3) per game, including 7 against the Opals only genuine opposition, and only loss to Serbia.

Whitcomb’s challenge when running the point will be to break pressure without over-dribbling and make great decisions with regard to when it’s her teammate’s, or her time to score.

For me, the Opal who may very well have the biggest influence on the team’s fortunes in Kristy Wallace.

Kristy Wallace may very well have the biggest influence on the team’s fortunes. Picture: Getty Images

An elite international athlete with an ever-improving skillset, Wallace was a revelation for the Atlanta Dream in her rookie WNBA season, four years after being drafted by them.

Coming off the bench, Wallace demonstrated the ability to match it with some of the best athletes in the world at both ends of the floor.

While her averages of 6.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 turnovers per game may not jump off the page, the manner Wallace integrated herself into an established WNBA team certainly jumped off the screen.

Her ability to navigate and break down pressure was outstanding, and at a level superior to the limited opportunities she earned throughout last WNBL season and World Cup Qualifying tournament, which left many observers scratching their heads.

In just 19 minutes across 3 games in Belgrade, Wallace notched up 5 assists without turning the ball over once.

While she may not be the first choice as point guard for the Opals as the World Cup begins, Kristy Wallace has become the most valuable on-court general Australia has.

It would not surprise me to see her on the floor alongside the Opals bigger names in the World Cup’s biggest moments as she introduces herself to Australia’s wider basketball public.

FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup @ Sydney Olympic Park Sep 22-Oct 1

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