WNBL stars headline Opals' World Cup squad

Basketball Australia announced on Monday its final 12-person Opals squad for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany, headlined by numerous current WNBL stars.

Nine of the 12 players named in Sandy Brondello’s squad for the September 4-13 tournament in Berlin are currently contracted in the WNBL.

They include Adelaide’s Zitina Aokuso and Steph Talbot, Sydney’s Ally Wilson and Isabelle Bourne, Bendigo’s Jade Melbourne and Isobel Borlase, Townsville’s Alex Fowler, Tasmania’s Steph Reid and Perth’s Sami Whitcomb.

Rounding out the exciting squad, who has six members from the team that claimed bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, are WNBA talents Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith and Chloe Bibby.

Brondello said she will lean on the leadership of captain Whitcomb and the bronze medal stars from Paris to guide the Opals into one of the toughest tournaments in basketball.

“I'm very confident in this group,” Brondello said.

“We have a great mix of experience, talent and chemistry.

“Sami is the Opals captain and is an amazing leader. She will be well supported by Ezi, Alanna, Steph and Jade.

“While our preparation is short with this full group, we trust the work we've done over the past few years, we believe in each other, and now it's about being at our best when it matters most.

“If we play to our identity, we know we can compete with anyone.”

Brondello, who will have US Capitals’ Paul Goriss, Sydney’s Renae Garlepp and Bendigo’s Kennedy Kereama on her staff, is preparing for her third FIBA World Cup campaign and stands as the longest-serving Opals coach in the history of the program.

The two previous endeavours resulted in a silver in Spain 2018 and bronze in Sydney 2022.

“Our staff have done an outstanding job tracking players around the world since Paris,” she said.

“Australia is fortunate to have incredible depth, so selecting the final 12 is never easy.

“We weren't just looking at talent - we were looking for players who fit our style of play, embrace what it means to represent Australia, and put the team first.

“With only three days together before the World Cup, continuity was an important factor.

“We felt that players who already understood our system, had built chemistry within the program, and could hit the ground running.

“We believe this group gives us the best opportunity to be successful in Berlin.”

The campaign for the Opals tips off against Puerto Rico on Friday, September 4 at 5:30pm AEST, with Group C games against Belgium and Turkiye to follow.

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

Zitina Aokuso (Adelaide Lightning)
Chloe Bibby (Chicago Sky/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)
Steph Talbot (Adelaide Lightning and Las Vegas Aces/WNBA)
Sami Whitcomb (Perth Lynx and Phoenix Mercury/WNBA)
Ally Wilson (Sydney Flames)