1 Related
Liz Cambage left the national team, citing mental health reasons - though, prior to that, she was involved in an altercation in a behind-closed-doors scrimmage against Nigeria, leading her teammates to effectively vote to have her removed - leaving Australia without a top-3 player in the world; a centre that's a big part of their identity. Sandy Brondello's team then put together an inspired exhibition win over the USA, playing a different brand of basketball than what was probably initially planned, but showing wildly encouraging signs going into Tokyo.
The Opals are in Group C for the Tokyo Olympics, drawn alongside Puerto Rico, China, and Belgium; the latter two both likely to challenge an Australian team that's still considered the best of the bunch.