UC Capitals star recruit Leilani Mitchell has been named in the 12 person team to compete at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Tenerife Spain from September 22-30.
Mitchell was the starting point guard for the Opals Rio Olympic campaign and will be looking to improve on a quarter-final loss to Serbia. She is currently plying her trade for Opals Head coach Sandy Brondello in the WNBA for the Phoenix Mercury. The Mercury won an elimination playoff game against Liz Cambage and her Dallas Wings side.
It will be Brondello's first major FIBA tournament at the helm after the Opals cruised to a Commonwealth games gold medal against B-Level competition.
"Our biggest strength will be our depth, teamwork, versatility and defence," said Brondello.
"We will have line-ups that can score in multiple ways as well as be very strong defensively."
UC Capitals head coach Paul Goriss will continue as assistant coach of the side after remaining heavily involved in the lead up camp.
"I'm very excited to continue to represent my country at the highest level and hopefully bring home a medal," Goriss remarks.
"It's always fun to work with extremely talented and driven players and I'm particularly excited to get to continue to get to know Leilani ahead of the WNBL season."
UC Capitals Marianna Tolo and Kristy Wallace were both ruled out of the side due to injury, whereas Kelsey Griffin missed out due to Mitchell being selected as the one naturalised player eligible under FIBA rules.
The Chemist Warehouse Australian Opals Schedule for the FIBA Women's World Cup (all times AEST):
September 22: Australia vs. Nigeria at 8.30pm
September 23: Australia vs. Argentina at 8.00pm
September 25: Australia vs. Turkey at 8.30pm
September 26: Quarter-Final Qualifications
September 28: Quarter-Finals
September 29: Semi-Finals
September 30: Medal Games
The Chemist Warehouse Australian Opals Team for the FIBA Women's World Cup:
NAMECLUBRebecca AllenNew York Liberty (WNBA)Alexandra BuntonBrydens Sydney Uni FlamesElizabeth CambageDallas Wings (WNBA)Katie-Rae EbzeryPerth LynxCayla GeorgeDeakin Melbourne BoomersTess MadgenJCU Townsville FireEzi MagbegorDeakin Melbourne BoomersLauren MansfieldPerth LynxLeilani MitchellUniversity of Canberra CapitalsJenna O'HeaDeakin Melbourne BoomersAlanna SmithStanford UniversityStephanie TalbotDeakin Melbourne BoomersSTAFFROLESandy BrondelloHead CoachCheryl ChambersAssistant CoachPaul GorissAssistant CoachChris LucasAssistant CoachGaylene MackayPhysiotherapistDanielle BarwoodTeam DoctorTrine BourkeMassage TherapistTrish FallonTeam Leader
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