Penny & Sandy: Why WNBA legend is in 'awe' of Opals icon

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Sandy Brondello's impact on the Australian Opals might stretch back almost four decades but Penny Taylor still believes what her idol has done for basketball in this country is underestimated.

Brondello is coming off a courageous FIBA Women's World Cup in Germany, where the Opals missed out on a medal, losing in the quarter-finals to Spain following a disastrous injury toll, including captain Ezi Magbegor, WNBA star Alanna Smith, Sami Whitcomb and Jade Melbourne.

But the Toronto Tempo and Opals head coach is still full steam ahead in an attempt to take the national team to its first Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles in 2028.

Speaking on the latest episode of Cut to the Jase, Opals legend Taylor said Brondello's impact on Aussie basketball could not be understated and gave an emotional tribute to the player she idolised coming through the ranks.

"I mean, she's just unbelievable. I'm honestly in awe of her," Taylor said on the basketball.com.au podcast.

"I was as a player, because she was one of the veterans that I looked up to.

"She conquered Europe before anyone even knew Europe was a thing.

"When you were probably watching her when (Jason Cadee - CTTJ host) were a kid, she was the only female that had that pull-up (jumper). She was the only one that could stop on a dime and pull up.

"She was the world-class standard of the pull-up before that was a thing in women's basketball.

"As she was my veteran in the 2004 Olympics, then she stepped into the coaching role, and I cannot tell you how emotional it is to have a friend become your coach.

"I just felt so much pride in playing for her and wanting to do the best for her because you knew she's a player's coach. She's on your side and she knows how it feels to be out there. But not only that, she's a great coach.

"She is experienced. She knows her stuff. She has answers.

"As a player, when you're looking for answers, Sandy has them. And so I can't say enough about how my journey as Sandy's friend has been such a proud one."

Superstars of the Opals, such as Taylor herself and the greatest player to wear a green and gold jersey in Lauren Jackson, are often the ones mentioned as the international leaders of the growth and success of the Australian women's program.

But where Brondello's impact across an illustrious playing and coaching career sit?

The shooting guard won five Olympic or World Championship medals as a player, three bronze and two silver, and then has won three major medals as the Opals head coach (two bronze and one silver).

She has won two WNBA titles as a head coach, named the league's Coach of the Year in 2014, was a WNBA All-Star as a player and coached the WNBA All-Star Game on three occasions.

Brondello also has the title of making history as the first coach of expansion franchise, the Toronto Tempo.