NBL1 South players feature in Opals Olympics Squad

Basketball Australia have today announced the Seven Consulting Australian Opals squad for this year’s Paris Olympic Games. Basketball Australia Announcement

The 26-player squad will participate in training camps, tours and fixtures both domestically and internationally against other Olympic-bound countries in the lead up to the Games which begin on July 26. The final-12 player team for Paris will be chosen from the extended squad.

The squad includes six players announced to play in the NBL1 South 2024 season including Zitina Aokuso, Amy Atwell, Alice Kunek, Jade Melbourne, Stephanie Reid and Maddison Rocci. 

The squad also features players who last played NBL1 in the South conference; Georgia Amoore, Chloe Bibby, Anneli Maley, Keely Froling, Tess Madgen, Anneli Maley and Marianna Tolo.




Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello emphasized that choosing the squad marked a significant milestone in the team's preparations for Paris.

“It’s always an exciting time to announce an Olympic squad and I congratulate all the athletes. They all know what it means to play for Australia, and they all want the opportunity to represent their country at an Olympics,” Brondello said.

“Our squad is full of exceptional talent, and they will make the decision to pick a final 12 very difficult. We have Canada, Nigeria and France in our pool, so we are focused on that and what is required to get onto the podium.”

Seven Consulting Opals Paris Olympic Squad

Rebecca Allen
Zitina Aokuso (Mt Gambier Pioneers)
Georgia Amoore (Ballarat Miners - 2020)
Amy Atwell (Bendigo Braves)
Chloe Bibby (Frankston Blues - 2023)
Isobel Borlase
Keely Froling (Launcesston Tornadoes - 2023)
Darcee Garbin
Cayla George
Shyla Heal
Lauren Jackson 
Alice Kunek (Casey Cavaliers)
Tess Madgen (Bendigo Braves - 2022)
Ezi Magbegor
Anneli Maley (Eltham Wildcats- 2023)
Jade Melbourne (Melbourne Tigers)
Lauren Nicholson
Stephanie Reid (Frankston Blues)
Maddison Rocci (Keilor Thunder)
Lauren Scherf
Alex Sharp
Alanna Smith
Stephanie Talbot
Marianna Tolo (Launceston Tornadoes - 2023)
Kristy Wallace
Sami Whitcomb