Rio Olympics 2016: Opals legend Lauren Jackson still under cloud as Belinda Snell cut from squad

OPALS coach Brendan Joyce expects to have a handle on whether basketball legend Lauren Jackson is any shot at all of suiting in Rio Olympics by the end of this week.

OPALS coach Brendan Joyce expects to have a handle on whether basketball legend Lauren Jackson is any shot at all of suiting up in the green and gold at the Rio Olympics by the end of this week.

Describing the basketball star’s bid to play at a fifth Olympics as a “long shot’’, Joyce said he expects to have a better handle on her prognosis when he meets medical staff ahead of the Opals next camp in Canberra.

“I can give her more time if we need to,’’ said Joyce, who has opted not to name his Opals line-up for Rio until the last-minute in mid June.

Australian coach Brendan Joyce with players.

“If anyone can get back it is her but I don’t want to play too high expectations on her.’’

Joyce said he is facing the very real possibility of being the first coach since 2000 to go into an Olympic tournament without the basketball superstar in his team.

“It’s already been around 18 months since she last played for us,’’ he said of the injured Jackson.

While there is still a glimmer of hope for Jackson, her long-standing teammate Belinda Snell’s international career is over.

The former Sydney Flames player who represented at three Olympics was cut from the 18-player squad Joyce named on Monday for a training camp in Canberra later this month.

“Snelly will be invited to one of the camps in the next few months to help celebrate her career and commitment to the Jayco Opals with the entire team,” Joyce said of the shooting guard, now 35.

Belinda Snell at the London Olympics.

But returning from an Achilles injury is Liz Cambage and centre Mariana Tolo, on the mend from a knee injury.

Cambage and Alice Kunek, also named in the squad on Monday, will be on court together at the camp for the first time since their social media controversy earlier this year.

The Opals have a hectic schedule ahead with four camps and two international tours planned.

Penny Taylor and Erin Phillips, both committed to the WNBA, are the only players who may be required to miss some camps.

Australia has drawn Brazil in its pool for the Rio Olympics with three of the Opals opponent still to be determined.

However Joyce has penned in games against the likes of Spain, Italy and France later this year to ensure he has all bases covered if these European giants join Australia’s pool in Rio.

The Opals squad: Rebecca Allen (SEQ Stars), Suzy Batkovic (Townsville Fire), Sara Blicavs (Dandenong Rangers), Abby Bishop (University of Canberra Capitals), Natalie Burton (Perth Lynx), Elizabeth Cambage (Shanghai, China), Stephanie Cumming (Dandenong Rangers), Katie-Rae Ebzery (Sydney Flames), Cayla George (Townsville Fire), Rachel Jarry (SEQ Stars), Alice Kunek (Melbourne Boomers), Tessa Lavey (Perth Lynx), Tess Madgen (Melbourne Boomers), Carley Mijovic (Perth Lynx), Leilani Mitchell (Adelaide Lightning), Erin Phillips (LA Sparks), WNBA), Stephanie Talbot (University of Canberra Capitals), PennyTaylor (Phoenix Mercury, WNBA).

Injured/unavailable: Laura Hodges, Marianna Tolo, Lauren Jackson, Kelsey Griffin, Lauren Mansfield, Elyse Penaluna.

Originally published as Rio Olympics 2016: Opals legend Lauren Jackson still under cloud as Belinda Snell cut from squad