Time to shine: Young gun Deas earns Opals debut

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Another Aussie rising star will have her chance to shine on the international stage after college standout Bonnie Deas was named in the Australian Opals squad to face China in a two-game series in Melbourne next month.

Deas, who was named in the All-Star Five at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup last year while leading the Gems to a silver medal, continued her rapid rise after starring for the University of Arkansas in the NCAA system and most recently announcing she has transferred to join defending national champions, UCLA, next season.

The 20-year-old combo guard was included in the Opals side to face China alongside Gems teammate and fellow debutant Sitaya Fagan with both set to make their first appearance in front of a home crowd in Melbourne.

Fagan will make her debut at just 18-years-old.

Among the players featured in the squad is Darcee Garbin, who returns to the court after a year off following pregnancy and will showcase her talents in the WNBL once again, teaming up with her former coach in Townsville, Claudia Brassard, at the Tasmania Jewels.

Veterans Cayla George, Chloe Bibby, Steph Reid, Zitina Aokuso and Alex WIlson also all return from the Opals team which went 5-0 as part of the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Turkey earlier this year.

While both the Opals and China will be missing several stars, including their respective WNBA talents, the two-game series will be a match-up of third and fourth on the FIBA international rankings and will prove vital to the preparations for both squads heading into the FIBA World Cup in September.

The two games will be played at John Cain Arena on July 7 and 9.