Opals WNBA star Erin Phillips eyes Rio redemption after controversial London Olympics omission

FOUR years after her world was rocked by controversial Olympic omission, WNBA star Erin Phillips has emerged as the Opals giant-killing weapon.

Opals coach Brendan Joyce with Erin Phillips (L) and Laura Hodges. Picture: Sarah Reed.

FOUR years after her world was rocked by controversial Olympic omission, WNBA star Erin Phillips has emerged as the Opals giant-killing weapon.

Dallas Wings point guard Phillips admits she was “devastated” when left out of the London squad after she was seen to devote too much time to her American career.

Introduced back into the fold by new Opals coach Brendan Joyce, her phenomenal 2014 World Championships helped Australia win a surprise bronze medal.

Under Joyce the Australians play a frenetic up-tempo brand in offence and defence, with Phillips thriving on the new style of play.

Her 19-point haul in the semi-final loss against America saw her narrowly miss the All-Star five, with Phillips desperate to make up for lost time.

“It is hard to believe it’s already four years ago. It was the hardest year of my basketball career, I was devastated to miss those Olympics,’’ she said.

“It is an unfortunate part of my career but it is something that has fuelled me to make this team.

“I came into camp, I missed WNBA games to meet the Opals in Italy and I thought I had a good chance but (coach) Carrie Graf didn’t.

“I went back to my WNBA team and we won the 2012 WNBA championships, and I felt like it was the best year of basketball I ever played.

Opals coach Brendan Joyce with Erin Phillips (L) and Laura Hodges. Picture: Sarah Reed.

“It motivated me to prove people wrong, but I never shut the door on the Opals. I was never going to say goodbye.”

Dual WNBA champion Phillips, 31, is one of the leaders of a young and hungry Opals side striving to finally knock over America in an Olympic Games.

This year playing with new team Dallas, she says Australia’s long-time rivals are definitely beatable.

On pure talent an American team dripping with talent has Australia covered, but she hopes Joyce’s brand of hustle can upset the Olympic champions.

“I have got a lot of experience playing against the USA girls and I know what to expect,’’ she said.

Erin Phillips starred at the 2014 Basketball World Championship.

“Nothing comes as too much of a surprise, they are just unbelievably good.

“I have found my groove playing under Brendan, I love his style.

“He is almost like a footy coach, he is so passionate and his pre-game talks fire you up.

“It is fun to play but it’s hard. In defence we press and on the other side of the ball we run as hard as we can.

“The girls like playing for him and it was pretty apparent at the worlds how well we did.”

Originally published as Opals WNBA star Erin Phillips eyes Rio redemption after controversial London Olympics omission