Shining Bright: Opals name 15th captain

Ezi Magbegor has been named as Opals captain and will lead Australia into the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

The announcement was made by Head Coach, Sandy Brondello on Wednesday in Berlin, delivered to the team as preparations heighten ahead of Puerto Rico.

Brondello spoke of the evolution of the former WNBL star, who will become the 15th Opal in history to captain the team into a major tournament.

"Ezi and I have been on a very long journey together," Brondello said.

"She made her first Opals team as an 18-year-old in 2018.

"It's been an amazing career, just to watch her evolve as a player but also the leader she is.

"I know she is going to lead this team the right way, just like our former captains have in Sami and Madge."

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In Magbegor's first words to the group as captain, she acknowledged the ones that came before her.

"I think the cool thing for me has been seeing all the different leadership styles in Sami [Whitcomb] and in Tess [Madgen] and everyone in this room," Magbegor said.

"I'm grateful for the fact that I didn't have to change who I was in order to be seen as a leader."

A central piece in the fabric of Opals culture is the collective drive that binds the group, in success but also through adversity.

The team will undoubtedly face both of these elements in the days and games ahead, but Magbegor will be well supported by a dynamic leadership group featuring Alanna Smith, Steph Talbot and Jade Melbourne.

"I'm just very grateful that you guys believe in me and trust in me and I'm not going to change, I'm just going to be who I am. I'm here for everyone."

Australian Opals' 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup squad:

- Zitina Aokuso (Adelaide Lightning)
- Chloe Bibby (Minnesota Lynx/WNBA)
- Isobel Borlase (Bendigo Spirit and Atlanta Dream/WNBA)
- Isobelle Bourne (Sydney Flames)
- Alex Fowler (Townsville Fire)
- Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm/WNBA)
- Jade Melbourne (Bendigo Spirit and Seattle Storm/WNBA)
- Steph Reid (Tasmania Jewels)
- Alanna Smith (Dallas Wings/WNBA)
- Miela Sowah (Townsville Fire and Golden State Valkyries/WNBA)
- Steph Talbot (Adelaide Lightning and Las Vegas Aces/WNBA)
- Ally Wilson (Sydney Flames)

Australian Opals' 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup schedule:

- Australia v Puerto Rico - Friday, September 4 -7.30pm AEST
- Australia v Türkiye - Sunday, September 6 - 7.30pm AEST
- Australia v Belgium - Monday, September 7 - 7.30pm AEST