Dominant Opals have eye to World Cup with impressive 18-year-old Ezi Magbegor

THE Opals have had an eye to the future during their all-conquering Commonwealth Games campaign.

THE Opals have had an eye to the future during their all-conquering Commonwealth Games campaign.

In the short-term, they want to build chemistry, culture and teamwork ahead of this year’s FIBA women’s World Cup in Spain.

And in the long-term, they have blooded 18-year-old young gun Ezi Magbegor who could be the face of the Opals for the next 15 years.

Australia dominated Mozambique, Canada and England in the pool matches to go straight through to Friday night’s semi-final against New Zealand with Liz Cambage the standout so far for the Opals.

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Ezi Magbegor has been a star in the Opals dominant Commonwealth Games campaign.

But the 194cm-tall Magbegor has provided some of her own eye-catching highlights.

Her elevation to the senior national side follows a decorated junior career that included winning the MVP award at the under 17 world championships when Australia won gold in 2016.

She also won a bronze medal and was named in the All-Star Five at the under 19 world championships in 2015.

And to announce her arrival in the senior ranks, Magbegor was crowned WNBL Rookie of the Year for the 2017-18 season.

If Cambage took the baton from the legendary Lauren Jackson, Magbegor could carry on as the towering Opals spearhead.

Magbegor could be the future of the Opals.

“I use it (expectation) as motivation. A lot of people ask me if it’s a lot of pressure but it helps me,’’ she said.

“I guess they (Jackson and Cambage) were pretty young when they came into the Opals. Lauren has been someone I’ve looked up to and Liz obviously more recently.

“I’m pretty lucky they played the same position as I do so I’ve been looking up to them a lot. They’ve handled themselves amazingly over the years.

“(Cambage) is great to learn off. She helps me out during training and in games and tells me to do my thing. She has been awesome.’’

Liz Cambage has been Australia’s best so far this tournament.

Magbegor said the Opals set and maintain high standards even when they are blowing out opposition sides.

“I think it’s in our nature. We don’t go into games thinking it’s going to be easy. We play the same game every time. Teams are here for the same reason we are, so we shouldn’t get complacent and we don’t get complacent,’’ she said.

Opals coach Sandy Brondello is in her first tournament in charge of the national team and said it was exciting to have Magbegor along for the ride.

“After 17 years playing for the Opals and being back, I’m enjoying it. We’ve got a young talent, an 18-year-old. It’s great to see her doing so well,’’ she said.

“I’ve said before that she is the future of the Opals and it’s true. We have Liz Cambage who obviously is a superstar but one great player doesn’t make a great team and we’ve got really good players around her.’’

Canada play England in the other semi-final tonight (FRI).

Originally published as Dominant Opals have eye to World Cup with impressive 18-year-old Ezi Magbegor