George out as she announces Pearl to be a sister

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Opals veteran and one of Australia's most decorated basketballers Cayla George is out of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup in September and will miss the two-game series against China on July 7 and 9 in Melbourne for the best possible reason – she is pregnant for the second time.

George, 27, announced "Pearl has a sibling coming soon" on Instagram on June 30, 2026.

George told basketball.com.au in an exclusive interview after the Opals won the Asia Cup last year: "If basketball was taken away from me tomorrow, I'm really at peace with what I've achieved in my career, which is probably the first time in my life I've ever felt this way.

“As you get older, you learn more about yourself, your body, and you can use that to your advantage and thrive in your 30s. I feel that in my 30s, I've played better basketball than in all of my 20s, and I've probably had more fun doing it.

"I’ve found a lot more success too, from a team and an individual standpoint."

George's resume is beyond outstanding.

• WNBA champion (2023)
• 4× WNBL champion (2015, 2016, 2018, 2022)
• WSBL champion (2024)
• WSBL Finals MVP (2024)
• WNBL Most Valuable Player (2023)
• 3× All-WNBL First Team (2015, 2020, 2023)
• 3× All-WNBL Second Team (2019–20, 2022, 2026)

The Opals squad for the July 7 and 9 games in Melbourne

• Zitina Aokuso
• Amy Atwell
• Chloe Bibby – Signed a WNBA Development Player contract with the Chicago Sky
• Isabelle Bourne
• Bonnie Deas
• Abbey Ellis
• Sitaya Fagan
• Alex Fowler
• Alicia Froling
• Darcee Garbin
• Cayla George – Announced she is pregnant is out indefinitely.
• Steph Reid
• Maddy Rocci
• Alex Wilson
• Courtney Woods

Cayla George's National Career

Cayla George's Basketball Career