Sami, Izzy, Ezi make cut for Opals qualifiers

• ‍'Prime Opals': Brondello's squad gold window is open‍
• 'Shell-shocked': Ryan Petrik on Anneli Maley's Opals snub
• It's a Cole World with Perth Lynx star Anneli Maley

Five Australians who played in the WNBA in 2025 anchor Sandy Brondello's 12-player FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying tournament team in March 2026.

Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb, Minnesota Lynx WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith, Seattle Storm centre Ezi Magbegor, Washington Mystics point guard Jade Melbourne, Indiana Fever wing Chloe Bibby and New York Liberty forward Steph Talbot will all go to Türkiye to help the Opals prepare for the 2026 World Cup in September.

The Opals have already qualified after winning the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup.

Australian Opals 12-player Team

• ‍Zitina Aokuso: UC Capitals, WNBL
• Chloe Bibby: Uni Girona CB, Liga Femenina, WNBA
• Isobel Borlase: Bendigo Spirit, WNBL
• Alex Fowler: Townsville Fire, WNBL
• Cayla George: Southside Flyers, WNBL
• Ezi Magbegor: Seattle Storm, WNBA
• Jade Melbourne: UC Capitals, WNBL
• Steph Reid: Sopron Basket, EuroCup Women
• Alanna Smith: Minnesota Lynx, WNBA
• Steph Talbot: Adelaide Lightning, WNBL, WNBA
• Sami Whitcomb: Beşiktaş, Turkish Super League, WNBA
• Alex Wilson: Perth Lynx, WNBL

Rising star guard Isobel Borlase, 21, Opals veteran Cayla George, Townsville Fire's Alex Fowler, UC Capitals centre Zitina Aokuso and Perth's Alex Wilson have all made the team.

Brondello cut Fire stars Miela Sowah, Courtney Woods, and Abbey Ellis, as well as Southside's Maddi Rocci, and UC Capitals Sara Blicavs.

FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament

Dates: March 11–18, 2026
Location: Istanbul, Türkiye

Australia – Group Phase Schedule (AEDT)

• Argentina vs Australia
  Wednesday, March 11 – 10:30PM
  Istanbul
• Australia vs Japan
  Thursday, March 12 – 10:30PM
  Istanbul
• Australia vs Hungary
  Saturday, March 14 – 10:30PM
  Istanbul
• Türkiye vs Australia
  Monday, March 16 – 4:30AM
  Istanbul
• Australia vs Canada
  Wednesday, March 18 – 1:30AM
  Istanbul

Australia Squad – World Cup Qualifying 19-player squad

• Amy Atwell – Perth Lynx (WNBL). Age: 27
• Abbey Ellis – Townsville Fire (WNBL). Age: 24
• Isobel Borlase – Bendigo Spirit (WNBL). Age: 21
• Jade Melbourne – Canberra Capitals (WNBA / WNBL). Age: 23
• Steph Reid – Dongguan New Century (WCBA). Age: 29
• Maddy Rocci – Southside Melbourne Flyers (WNBL). Age: 27
• Alex Wilson – Perth Lynx (WNBL). Age: 31
• Courtney Woods – Townsville Fire (WNBL). Age: 28

• Zitina Aokuso – Canberra Capitals (WNBL). Age: 27
• Chloe Bibby – Uni Girona CB (WNBA / Liga Femenina de Baloncesto). Age: 27
• Sara Blicavs – Canberra Capitals (WNBL). Age: 32
• Issy Bourne – Southside Melbourne Flyers (WNBL). Age: 25
• Alex Fowler – Townsville Fire (WNBL). Age: 24
• Miela Sowah – Townsville Fire (WNBL). Age: 25
• Steph Talbot – Adelaide (WNBA / WNBL). Age: 31

• Cayla George – Southside Melbourne Flyers (WNBL). Age: 36
• Ezi Magbegor – Seattle Storm (WNBA). Age: 26
• Alanna Smith – Minnesota Lynx (WNBA). Age: 29
• Sami Whitcomb – Beşiktaş (WNBA / Turkish Super League). Age: 37