Latest news with #Opals
The Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Aussie teen stars push USA to limit in U19 World Cup basketball final
Hours after the World No.2 ranked Opals franked their Paris Olympic bronze medal with a historic first Asia Cup gold, Australia's next-gen stars were busy putting a scare up Team USA. Twelve teens — one just 16 — combined to push the mighty USA, winners of 10 of 15 U19 Women's World Cup gold medals, including the past three, to an 88-76 result. The 12-point margin was in no way indicative of the tightness of the clash. The Aussies were within 2 points at quarter time, fell behind by 10 at the long break and then reeled it back to just 4 on tournament All-Star Five Gem Bonnie Deas' trey with nine to go in the last. The four premier players at the FIBA U19 Women's World Cup in 2025, featuring Australian Bonnie Deas. Picture: FIBA From there, the USA had just enough physical supremacy to hold the plucky Australians off. But even tournament MVP Saniyah Hall and fellow All-Star Five member Sienna Betts felt it was a great escape. 'I was so scared,' one was heard to say on the mic, post-game. 'They made every three,' another said, before the FIBA live feed was cut and set to private. The Gems continued to spread the load as they've done throughout the tournament, with five players in double figures and nine of the 10 players to take the floor scoring. Led by the elite Deas' 13, 11 points and 7 boards from Monique Bobongie and 11 and 5 assists out of Sienna Harvey, the Gems kept on keeping on. The Gems celebrate their silver medal at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup. Picture: FIBA But they just lacked an explosive scorer who could truly get theirs when they needed to — unlike the Americans. Hall plundered the Aussies for 25 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, underlining why she is ESPN's top-rated college prospect for the class of 2026, while long and lean Jasmine Davidson provided the perfect foil, punching in 21 points to go with 6 rebounds and 3 dimes. The Aussie girls will be super proud to collect silver, particularly after their predecessors, in 2023, failed to make it out of the round of 16, giving rise to new hope the gap continues to close in women's basketball. Team America's dominant Saniyah Hall, who won the FIBA U19 Women's World Cup tournament MVP award. Picture: FIBA THE 12 AUSSIE TEENS WHO GAVE TEAM USA AN ALMIGHTY SCARE 4 RUBY PERKINS dob: November 21, 2007 (17) State: New South Wales Height: 172cm Club/college: California Berkeley (NCAA) Australian Gem Ruby Perkins threads the needle with stunning dish against Team USA in the FIBA U19 Women's World Cup gold medal game. Picture: FIBA Low down: An elite scoring guard who has developed into a supreme floor general. The key cog in the Gems share-at-all-costs gamestyle who marshalls her teammates with military precision and finds them in perfect positions to maximise their skills. And, if that doesn't work, she'll take you to the cup or hit a three in your face. Battled against the length, athleticism and blitzing of Team USA in the final but the unflappable Perkins will take those learnings and make the necessary adjustments through her obsessive work ethic and drive to be the best. 5 SIENNA HARVEY dob: January 20, 2006 (19) State: Victoria Height: 174cm Club/college: Washington (NCAA) Australian Gem Sienna Harvey spots an opening during the gold medal clash with Team USA at the FIBA U19 Women's World Cup. Picture: FIBA Low down: If Deas is Victoria's 1a guard, then Harvey is 1b, the two southern state dynamos having enjoyed a running battle for supremacy throughout their development pathway. Harvey's trickery lies in her proficiency with both hands and off both feet. There's not much to scout for defenders when Harvey is equally adept at going left or right — and a devastating finisher with either hand. Spent the NBL1 South season with Melbourne Tigers and will begin the next step in her basketball journey in the US. 6 BONNIE DEAS dob: May 18, 2006 (19) State: Victoria Height: 178cm Club/college: Arkansas (NCAA) Bonnie Deas was the only Australian Gem named in the FIBA U19 Women's World Cup Tournament All-Star Five. Picture: FIBA Low down: Named in the U19 World Cup All-Star Five, Deas is the do-it-all leader of the Gems who might be the best rebounder at her size in her age group in the country. Spent last season as a development player under Guy Molloy at the Sydney Flames and is committed to Arkansas. Pound-for-pound, one of the toughest players in the country, the Frankston product is simply relentless. A future Opals captain in the making. 7 PRASAYUS NOTOA dob: August 20, 2007 (17) State: Queensland Height: 183cm Club/college: Logan (NBL1) Prasayus Notoa has emerged in the green and gold over the past 18 months. Picture: IBA Low down: Dominant at nationals level, always thereabouts with junior national teams, Notoa has displayed drastic improvement over the past 18 months. Is she a big rebounding forward? A playmaking tall point guard? A scoring combo guard? It doesn't really matter — she's a damn fine basketball player, tailor made for today's world of position-less hoops. Just give her the rock and let her cook. 8 ZARA RUSSELL dob: June 23, 2007 (18) Territory: Australian Capital Territory Height: 185cm Club/college: Centre of Excellence Zara Russell has been a long-time dependable performer for Australia at junior national level. Picture: FIBA Low down: A mainstay of the junior national team program, Russell's poise, leadership and powerful frame make her a blue chip Opals prospect of the future. Hard not to think of London Olympian and green and gold three-and-D mainstay Rachel Jarry when you watch the ACT product operate. Big, strong, uncompromising and positionally versatile. Coach's dream. 9 MONIQUE BOBONGIE dob: December 27, 2006 (18) State: Queensland Height: 178cm Experience: Club/college: Canberra Capitals (WNBL) Australian Gem Monique Bobongie spots up from deep during the FIBA U19 Women's World Cup gold medal decider. Picture: FIBA Low down: Queensland's back-to-back female athlete of the year in 2023 and 2024, Bobongie is an athlete with maturity well beyond her tender years. At just 17, the young Indigenous starlet carved out a starting role in the WNBL with Canberra last season and will soon jump into pre-season training with the Caps on her return from the Czech Republic. And she's won the admiration of Opals assistant Paul Goriss, who has ordained her a national team lock: 'I see her as being a future Opal and not that far in the future. She most definitely has the attributes. She can handle the ball, she shoots the ball really well and is a smart decision maker with her passing.' 10 EMILIJA DAKIC dob: February 6, 2007 (18) State: Victoria Height: 178cm Club/college: Florida (NCAA) Emilija Dakic has committed her basketball future to the US college system. Picture: FIBA Low down: Scoring point guard with great defensive instincts, Dakic can switch on talls and smalls and loves the physical challenge of trying to stop the big units. Heads to the mighty Gators this year as a graduate of the Centre of Excellence after spending time as a training player at WNBL club Southside. 11 MADISON RYAN dob: March 31, 2009 (16) State: Victoria Height: 185cm Club/college: Sandringham (NBL1) Victorian Madison Ryan, just 16, was the youngest member of the silver-medal winning Gems squad at the FIBA U19 Women's World Cup. Picture: FIBA Low down: The baby of the bunch who doesn't take a back seat. The rangy 16-year -old wing started the Gems' tournament opener and shredded Brazil for 22 points on a wildly efficient 9-11 shooting. The 4-6 from deep in that game is an indicator of the offensive weaponry at the Victorian's command. There will be no rest for Ryan, who will just about go straight into prep for September's FIBA U17 Asia Cup with the Sapphires — led by Tom Garlepp, husband of Gems' coach Renae. 12 SITAYA FAGAN dob: March 24, 2008 (17) State: Victoria Height: 189cm Club/college: Centre of Excellence Sitaya Fagan is arguably the most talented young prospect in the Australian basketball system. Picture: FIBA Low down: Highest-potential junior in the country who possesses remarkable physical gifts and a game that is quickly catching up. With the wingspan of an eagle and the speed of a cheetah, it's no wonder the 17-year-old has 18 of the best NCAA college programs fighting each other to secure a commitment from her. Fagan is an excitement machine with the tools to one day be the best basketballer in the country, period. 13 MANUELA PUOCH dob: October 5, 2006 (18) State: Victoria Height: 184cm Club/college: Southside Flyers (WNBL) Manuela Puoch is an imposing presence in the middle for the Australian Gems and WNBL club Southside. Picture: FIBA Low down: Little big sister of WNBA draftee Nyadiew Puoch, Manuela is sublimely skilled but still working on her motor and mobility. A powerhouse in the post who eats glass for a living and loves to stretch out to the three-point line where she has no fear launching. An exciting frontline prospect who is skilled beyond her 18 years and will only get better from here. 14 MONIQUE WILLIAMS dob: August 11, 2006 (18) State: Western Australia Height: 190cm Club/college: Vanderbilt (NCAA) Monique Williams combines and intriguing basketball skillset with a highly intelligent focus on study off the floor. Picture: FIBA Low down: WA's only Gems World Cup representative is a tower of strength who has fought back from a shocking Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear, aged just 14. Williams is developing into a stretch big, showing a penchant for a sweet mid-range jumpshot, along with a desire to mix it with the tall timber under the hoop. And her on-court talents are more-than matched by her off-court smarts, the disciplined student graduated with high honours and chose Vanderbilt as much for its basketball program as its academic pursuits. 15 CALLIE HINDER dob: August 16, 2007 (17) State: New South Wales Height: 198cm Club/college: Mountain West Premier (Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, USA) Young giant Caillie Hinder looms as a future force in the middle for the Australian Opals. Picture: FIBA Low down: Only recently bobbed up on Australian junior talent radars — owing to the fact she's lived in the USA most of her life as the daughter of former Boomer and Sydney King Russell Hinder, who packed his bags for the US following the end of his playing career. Still shy of her 18th birthday and already standing nearly 200cm, Hinder casts an imposing figure over Australian basketball. With multiple division I NCAA offers to choose from, the shot-blocking machine will hone her craft in the US college system. Michael Randall Basketball journalist Michael Randall is a basketball reporter for the Herald Sun and CODE Sports, covering the NBL, WNBL, NBA and Australian senior and junior international and representative teams. @MickRandallHS Michael Randall
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Her best WNBA game was vs. Fever this year. Now, Australian is Indiana's newest player
The Indiana Fever signed Australian forward Chloe Bibby to a seven-day contract. Bibby played five games for the Golden State Valkyries this season, averaging 6.4 points and 2.8 rebounds a game. Her best game of the season was June 19 against the Fever when she played a season-high 24 points and had a season-high 12 points with three rebounds and two made 3s. The 6-footer shot 42% (8-of-19) from behind the arc in her limited run with Golden State. 'Spacing the floor, that's part of our philosophy, right? ' Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase told reporters after that June 19 game. 'So, she fits in really well with the fact that she's a big that can space the floor. But then, you know, on the other end, she's really physical. She can get rebounds. So yeah, Chloe is like a Swiss Army knife.' Earlier this month, Bibby was part of the Australian national team that won the FIBA Asia World Cup. She averaged 8.0 points and 6.2 rebounds for the Opals, who beat Japan in the final on July 20. Bibby was a second-team All-Big Ten selection at Maryland in 2022 and honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2021 after spending her first three college seasons at Mississippi State. She has played most of her professional career overseas, earning MVP honors in Poland (2023-24) and Spain (2024-25). 'I'm just competitive,' Bibby told Matthew Walter of 'I think over the years, with having that and growing that confidence in my shot to where if I get it and I'm open, and I know that's the right shot, I'm gonna shoot it, and I feel confident with that… I'd love to have a stint in the W, I'd like to be here full time. That's obviously a goal, it's the best league in the world for a reason." The Fever had an open roster spot after beginning the season with just 11 players because of salary cap restrictions. Caitlin Clark remains out with right groin injury with an uncertain timetable for a return. A seven-day contract is only available to teams in the second half of the season, and it allows teams flexibility when they don't want to commit to a guaranteed contract. Players will earn the prorated minimum base salary. They can sign up to three seven-day contracts with a single team, but can sign with multiple teams during that time. Teams can also elect to sign those players to a rest-of-season contract at any point. Fever Insider Chloe Peterson contributed to this story. Get IndyStar's Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: WNBA news: Indiana Fever sign Chloe Bibby to 7-day contract
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska women's basketball alum Isabella Bourne shines in Asia Cup play
Nebraska women's basketball alum Isabella Bourne was a key piece in helping the Australian national team capture the FIBA Asia Cup title earlier this week. Bourne tallied eight points and three rebounds in the championship game, putting the final stamp on what was an impressive stretch of play. All told, she averaged 6.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and one steal per game during the tournament. Australia required a 5-0 record in the process. She was able to do it all for the Opals on Sunday. She had to three-point shots and was perfect from the free throw line. She had two assists, one steal, and a blocked shot in just over 11 minutes of play. This should come as no surprise to Huskers fans, as she displayed that type of consistency while in Lincoln. She scored 1,221 points during her tenure with the program and served as a three-time co-captain. She also proved to be effective on the boards, snagging 648 rebounds in four seasons. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and
The Advertiser
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Opals finally strike gold to end Asia Cup anguish
With a first Asia Cup title under now their belt, the Opals can turn their attention to next year's Women's Basketball World Cup in Germany full of confidence. At the fifth time of asking, a new-look squad finally stood atop the podium on Sunday night in China. After topping Group A with three wins and then beating South Korea in the semi-finals, the Australians proved too strong for the second time in a matter of days against Japan at Shenzhen Sports Centre. The 88-79 victory over the world No.9 Japanese, shock winners over hosts China in their semi, finally clinched the gold medal after a 2017 silver and bronze in the next three editions. "Really happy and proud of the team for their efforts this whole week," Opals coach Paul Goriss said. "We knew coming in that Japan had a huge win ... against China and that they're going to be a formidable opponent. "I think that our team and the players really bought into the game-plan." Alex Wilson provided the spark for the world's second-ranked Opals, the 31-year-old spearheading a decisive late fourth-quarter 12-2 run for an 85-75 advantage. One day before her 24th birthday, Townsville Fire forward Alex Fowler top-scored for Australia with 15 points, pulled down six rebounds and went on to earn the tournament's Most Valuable Player award. Point guard Stephanie Reid added 13 points in the championship match while centre Zitina Aukoso went close to a double-double with 11 points and eight boards. Superstar guard Kokoro Tanaka led Japan with 21 points, 19 of which came in the opening term. The Opals join hosts Germany, AmeriCup winners the USA and EuroBasket champions Belgium as automatic qualifiers for the expanded 16-team September 2026 World Cup in Berlin, after a 24-team qualifying tournament takes place in March. With a first Asia Cup title under now their belt, the Opals can turn their attention to next year's Women's Basketball World Cup in Germany full of confidence. At the fifth time of asking, a new-look squad finally stood atop the podium on Sunday night in China. After topping Group A with three wins and then beating South Korea in the semi-finals, the Australians proved too strong for the second time in a matter of days against Japan at Shenzhen Sports Centre. The 88-79 victory over the world No.9 Japanese, shock winners over hosts China in their semi, finally clinched the gold medal after a 2017 silver and bronze in the next three editions. "Really happy and proud of the team for their efforts this whole week," Opals coach Paul Goriss said. "We knew coming in that Japan had a huge win ... against China and that they're going to be a formidable opponent. "I think that our team and the players really bought into the game-plan." Alex Wilson provided the spark for the world's second-ranked Opals, the 31-year-old spearheading a decisive late fourth-quarter 12-2 run for an 85-75 advantage. One day before her 24th birthday, Townsville Fire forward Alex Fowler top-scored for Australia with 15 points, pulled down six rebounds and went on to earn the tournament's Most Valuable Player award. Point guard Stephanie Reid added 13 points in the championship match while centre Zitina Aukoso went close to a double-double with 11 points and eight boards. Superstar guard Kokoro Tanaka led Japan with 21 points, 19 of which came in the opening term. The Opals join hosts Germany, AmeriCup winners the USA and EuroBasket champions Belgium as automatic qualifiers for the expanded 16-team September 2026 World Cup in Berlin, after a 24-team qualifying tournament takes place in March. With a first Asia Cup title under now their belt, the Opals can turn their attention to next year's Women's Basketball World Cup in Germany full of confidence. At the fifth time of asking, a new-look squad finally stood atop the podium on Sunday night in China. After topping Group A with three wins and then beating South Korea in the semi-finals, the Australians proved too strong for the second time in a matter of days against Japan at Shenzhen Sports Centre. The 88-79 victory over the world No.9 Japanese, shock winners over hosts China in their semi, finally clinched the gold medal after a 2017 silver and bronze in the next three editions. "Really happy and proud of the team for their efforts this whole week," Opals coach Paul Goriss said. "We knew coming in that Japan had a huge win ... against China and that they're going to be a formidable opponent. "I think that our team and the players really bought into the game-plan." Alex Wilson provided the spark for the world's second-ranked Opals, the 31-year-old spearheading a decisive late fourth-quarter 12-2 run for an 85-75 advantage. One day before her 24th birthday, Townsville Fire forward Alex Fowler top-scored for Australia with 15 points, pulled down six rebounds and went on to earn the tournament's Most Valuable Player award. Point guard Stephanie Reid added 13 points in the championship match while centre Zitina Aukoso went close to a double-double with 11 points and eight boards. Superstar guard Kokoro Tanaka led Japan with 21 points, 19 of which came in the opening term. The Opals join hosts Germany, AmeriCup winners the USA and EuroBasket champions Belgium as automatic qualifiers for the expanded 16-team September 2026 World Cup in Berlin, after a 24-team qualifying tournament takes place in March. With a first Asia Cup title under now their belt, the Opals can turn their attention to next year's Women's Basketball World Cup in Germany full of confidence. At the fifth time of asking, a new-look squad finally stood atop the podium on Sunday night in China. After topping Group A with three wins and then beating South Korea in the semi-finals, the Australians proved too strong for the second time in a matter of days against Japan at Shenzhen Sports Centre. The 88-79 victory over the world No.9 Japanese, shock winners over hosts China in their semi, finally clinched the gold medal after a 2017 silver and bronze in the next three editions. "Really happy and proud of the team for their efforts this whole week," Opals coach Paul Goriss said. "We knew coming in that Japan had a huge win ... against China and that they're going to be a formidable opponent. "I think that our team and the players really bought into the game-plan." Alex Wilson provided the spark for the world's second-ranked Opals, the 31-year-old spearheading a decisive late fourth-quarter 12-2 run for an 85-75 advantage. One day before her 24th birthday, Townsville Fire forward Alex Fowler top-scored for Australia with 15 points, pulled down six rebounds and went on to earn the tournament's Most Valuable Player award. Point guard Stephanie Reid added 13 points in the championship match while centre Zitina Aukoso went close to a double-double with 11 points and eight boards. Superstar guard Kokoro Tanaka led Japan with 21 points, 19 of which came in the opening term. The Opals join hosts Germany, AmeriCup winners the USA and EuroBasket champions Belgium as automatic qualifiers for the expanded 16-team September 2026 World Cup in Berlin, after a 24-team qualifying tournament takes place in March.
The Guardian
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Australia's Opals survive late Japan comeback to end eight-year title drought
Australia's Opals survived a late comeback by Japan to win the Women's Asia Cup for the first time on Sunday. With a breakthrough Asia Cup title now under their belt, the Opals can turn their attention to next year's Women's Basketball World Cup in Germany full of confidence. At the fifth time of asking since their debut at the tournament in 2017, a new-look squad finally stood atop the podium on Sunday night in China after an 88-79 win over Japan. After topping Group A with three wins and then beating South Korea in the semi-finals, the undefeated Australians proved too strong for the second time in a matter of days against Japan at Shenzhen Sports Centre. The Opals, which previously defeated their Japanese rivals 79-67 in the group stages, led from the start and built an 11-point lead by half-time in the decider. But six-time Asian champions Japan rallied in the final quarter – with power forward Yuki Miyazawa at one stage netting three unanswered 3-pointers in a row – to level the scores with seven minutes on the clock. A pair of missed free throws by Japan and crucial baskets from Australian stars Alexandra Fowler and Alex Brooke Wilson helped the Opals edge away as time ticked away for an increasingly desperate Japanese side. The 88-79 victory over the world No 9 Japanese, shock winners over hosts China in their semi, finally clinched the gold medal after a 2017 silver and bronze in the next three editions. 'Really happy and proud of the team for their efforts this whole week,' Opals coach Paul Goriss said. 'We knew coming in that Japan had a huge win ... against China and that they're going to be a formidable opponent. 'I think that our team and the players really bought into the game plan.' Sign up to From the Pocket: AFL Weekly Jonathan Horn brings expert analysis on the week's biggest AFL stories after newsletter promotion Alex Wilson provided the spark for the world's second-ranked Opals, the 31-year-old spearheading a decisive late fourth-quarter 12-2 run for an 85-75 advantage. One day before her 24th birthday, Townsville Fire forward Alex Fowler top-scored for Australia with 15 points, pulled down six rebounds and went on to earn the tournament's Most Valuable Player award. Point guard Stephanie Reid added 13 points in the championship match while centre Zitina Aukoso went close to a double-double with 11 points and eight boards. Superstar guard Kokoro Tanaka led Japan with 21 points, 19 of which came in the opening term. The Opals join hosts Germany, AmeriCup winners the USA and EuroBasket champions Belgium as automatic qualifiers for the expanded 16-team September 2026 World Cup in Berlin, after a 24-team qualifying tournament takes place in March.
