'Hunger Games': How Garlepp chose her Gems

• Gems head coach Renae Garlepp's under-19 Australian women's team is stacked with talent
• Highly sought after NCAAW prospect Sitaya Fagan is joined by NSW guard Ruby Perkins
• The Under-19 Women's FIBA World Cup is in Czechia in July 2025

"Experience, hunger and readiness" is how Australian Gems head coach Renae Garlepp selected her Under-19 women's team for the 2025 FIBA World Cup in Czechia in July.

"In the end, we backed the group that gave us the strongest mix of experience, hunger, and World Cup readiness," Garlepp declared.

"We looked for players who can handle the pressure, make smart decisions under pressure, and compete every possession.

"Everyone has a role to play and brings something unique to the group.

"We’re clear on the level we’re stepping into, and there’s no room to ease in.

"We need to arrive with purpose, compete with confidence, and stay connected under pressure."

UC Berkeley-commit Ruby Perkins and prized US NCAA women's recruit Sitaya Fagan are are part of the 12-player Australian Gems team named on May 19, 2025 along with Sydney Flames Bonnie Deas and the younger sister of WNBA draftee Nyadiew Puoch, Manuela.

Garlepp is under no illusions the tournament between July 12 and 20, 2025 will be the toughest test for Australia's best junior women's basketballers.

"The biggest focus has been preparing for what we’ll face, physicality, pressure, and relentless competition,” she said.

"We’ve built that into every session and used it to guide selection.

"That [Asian Cup] core group has definitely helped with the transition; however, a lot changes in a year.

“The younger players came into camp and really performed.

“The exciting thing was how much they pushed the rest, which brought the best out of everyone."

Despite finishing of 9th in 2023, the Gems have a strong history in the tournament, winning it in 1993 with Opals legend Michelle Brogan leading the tournament in scoring. The Gems have won silver in 2019 and 2021.

A surprise omission was gun NSW guard Jessie May-Hall.

Hall is averaging 24.1 points, 5.4 assists, and 6.7 rebounds per game for the Hornsby Ku-ring-Gai Spiders in the 2025 NBL1 East Women's Conference.

Australia’s campaign starts in the Group Phase with fixtures against Mali (12 July), Brazil (13 July) & France (16 July).

Australian U19 Gems Team

• Monique Bobongie (QLD)
• Emilija Dakic (VIC)
• Bonnie Deas (VIC)
• Sitaya Fagan (VIC)
• Sienna Harvey (VIC)
• Callie Hinder (NSW/USA)
• Prasayus Notoa (QLD)
• Ruby Perkins (NSW)
• Manuela Puoch (VIC)
• Zara Russell (ACT)
• Madison Ryan (VIC)
• Monique Williams (WA)

Emus Coaching Staff:

• Head Coach: Renae Garlepp
• Assistant Coach: Jo Wood
• Assistant Coach: Jack Fleming