{"id":887996,"date":"2026-09-11T09:58:28","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T09:58:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/887996\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T09:58:28","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T09:58:28","slug":"talbot-carries-opals-as-world-cup-ends-in-berlin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/887996\/","title":{"rendered":"Talbot carries Opals as World Cup ends in Berlin"},"content":{"rendered":"

Five games in eight days, a captain lost to an ACL, and just nine players left standing in Berlin.<\/p>\n

Australia went 3-2 and were eliminated 89-66 by Spain in the quarter-finalsSteph Talbot played 158 of a possible 200 minutes across the five gamesEzi Magbegor tore her ACL against Italy and Australia used nine players in the quarter-final<\/p>\n

Australia’s 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup<\/a> ended in the quarter-finals in Berlin, Spain winning 89-66 to close a campaign that ran five games in eight days and lost its captain along the way.<\/p>\n

The Opals went 3-2, beating Puerto Rico<\/a>, Turkiye<\/a> and Italy<\/a> and losing to Belgium<\/a> and Spain<\/a>, and the numbers underneath that record are mostly a story about who was left standing. Ezi Magbegor<\/a> tore her right ACL four minutes into the qualifying final against Italy<\/a> and did not play again. Alanna Smith<\/a> played 12 minutes in the opener and was named in every squad afterwards without taking the floor. Jade Melbourne played three minutes against Italy and none against Spain, and by the quarter-final Australia were down to nine players.<\/p>\n

That left Steph Talbot<\/a> to carry it, and she did, playing 158 of a possible 200 minutes and leading the team in points, rebounds, assists and efficiency. Isobel Borlase <\/a>produced the single best performance of the tournament by an Australian, 30 points against Italy in the game that kept the campaign alive, and Zitina Aokuso went a perfect six from six from the field in the same win.<\/p>\n

Here’s the Australian team By the Numbers, a statistical snapshot of every player’s tournament.<\/p>\n

Ezi Magbegor played four of the five games; her tournament ended with a torn ACL against Italy. Alanna Smith played one, for twelve minutes, so her per-game line rests on a single short appearance.<\/p>\n

How to read this table<\/p>\n

\n Magbegor was named in all five squads and played four. She tore her right ACL at the 5:51 mark of the first quarter against Italy, a game she played 4:09 of. Across her three complete games she averaged 27:38 and 15.7 points, against the 21.8 and 12.3 shown here.
Smith played 12:13 in the opener and did not play again. FIBA records that she did not play and not why, and nothing about the reason is published here.
A dash in the 3PT% column means no three-pointers were attempted, which is not the same as missing them all \u2013 Zitina Aokuso took none, while Alex Fowler missed all six.
Plus\/minus and efficiency are per game, not tournament totals. Positions and heights are the squad\u2019s own, matching the Opals squad table.\n <\/p>\n

#1 Miela Sowah | Shooting Guard | Age: 26\"AustralianAustralian Opals guard Miela Sowah. Photo: FIBA.com<\/p>\n

Games: 5 I Minutes: 24:34 (4.9 mpg)<\/p>\n

Averages 1.8 points I 0.0 rebounds I 0.0 assists I 0.0 steals I 0.0 blocks I 0.2 turnovers I 33.3% FG I 20.0% 3PT I 100.0% FT<\/p>\n

Tournament Totals Nine points I One made three<\/p>\n

Best Game: six points vs Spain<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/p>\n

Played 24:34 across five games, the fewest of any player who appeared in all five.\u200dPerfect from the free-throw line, two from two.Scored six against Spain in her heaviest outing at 14:56.Did not record a rebound or an assist in the tournament.Committed only one turnover all campaign.#2 Jade Melbourne | Guard | Age: 24\"AustralianAustralian Opals point guard Jade Melbourne. Photo: FIBA.com<\/p>\n

Games: 4 I Minutes: 75:20 (18.8 mpg)<\/p>\n

Averages 7.0 points I 1.0 rebounds I 2.8 assists I 0.8 steals I 0.0 blocks I 1.8 turnovers I 41.7% FG I 14.3% 3PT I 87.5% FT<\/p>\n

Tournament Totals 28 points I Four rebounds I 11 assists I Three steals I One made three<\/p>\n

Best Game: 10 points, six assists vs Belgium<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/p>\n

Played 3:18 against Italy and did not play against Spain.Recorded six assists against Belgium, Australia’s highest single-game total in the group phase.87.5% from the free-throw line on eight attempts.Started every game she played.Finished with a team-best plus-15 across four appearances.#4 Alex Wilson | Shooting Guard | Age: 32\"AustralianAustralian Opals guard Alex Wilson. Photo: FIBA.com<\/p>\n

Games: 5 I Minutes: 121:29 (24.3 mpg)<\/p>\n

Averages 6.6 points I 2.6 rebounds I 3.8 assists I 1.2 steals I 0.2 blocks I 2.4 turnovers I 33.3% FG I 22.7% 3PT I 85.7% FT<\/p>\n

Tournament Totals 33 points I 13 rebounds I 19 assists I Six steals I One block I Five made threes<\/p>\n

Best Game: 13 points on 4-from-10 from three vs Spain, and eight assists vs Italy<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/p>\n

Second on the team for minutes at 121:29.Led Australia with 19 assists, including eight against Italy.Took 22 three-pointers, more than any other Australian.Made four from 10 from deep in the quarter-final.85.7% from the free-throw line.#6 Steph Talbot | Small Forward | Age: 32\"AustralianAustralian Opals forward Steph Talbot. Photo: FIBA.com<\/p>\n

Games: 5 I Minutes: 158:32 (31.7 mpg)<\/p>\n

Averages 13.8 points I 8.6 rebounds I 4.4 assists I 1.4 steals I 0.0 blocks I 2.6 turnovers I 61.7% FG I 63.6% 3PT I 44.4% FT<\/p>\n

Tournament Totals 69 points I 43 rebounds I 22 assists I Seven steals I Seven made threes<\/p>\n

Best Game: 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists vs Puerto Rico<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/p>\n

Played 158 of a possible 200 minutes, more than any other Australian.Led Australia in points, rebounds, assists and efficiency.Shot 61.7% from the field and 63.6% from three across the campaign.Posted 11 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in the quarter-final loss.The only Australian to start all five games.#11 Alanna Smith | Forward | Age: 30\"AustralianAustralian Opals forward Alanna Smith. Photo: FIBA.com<\/p>\n

Games: 1 I Minutes: 12:13 (12.2 mpg)<\/p>\n

Averages 10.0 points I 8.0 rebounds I 2.0 assists I 1.0 steals I 1.0 blocks I 3.0 turnovers I 80.0% FG I 50.0% 3PT I 33.3% FT<\/p>\n

Tournament Totals 10 points I Eight rebounds I Two assists I One steal I One block I One made three<\/p>\n

Best Game: 10 points and eight rebounds vs Puerto Rico<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/p>\n

Played 12:13 in the opener and did not play again.Recorded 10 points and eight rebounds in those 12 minutes.Shot 4-from-5 from the field.Was named in all five squads and recorded a formal DNP in four of them.FIBA records the status and not the reason, and none is published here.#12 Stephanie Reid | Point Guard | Age: 30\"AustralianAustralian Opals point guard Stephanie Reid. Photo: FIBA.com<\/p>\n

Games: 5 I Minutes: 55:16 (11.1 mpg)<\/p>\n

Averages 3.6 points I 1.0 rebounds I 1.4 assists I 0.6 steals I 0.0 blocks I 1.0 turnovers I 55.6% FG I 66.7% 3PT I 66.7% FT<\/p>\n

Tournament Totals 18 points I Five rebounds I Seven assists I Three steals I Four made threes<\/p>\n

Best Game: 11 points and four assists on 3-from-4 from three vs Spain<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/p>\n

Shot 66.7% from three, the best mark on the team.Made three from four from deep against Spain in her only start.55.6% from the field across the campaign.Averaged 11:03, the lowest of any player in the regular rotation.Scored 11 in the quarter-final, equal third for Australia.#13 Ezi Magbegor | Power Forward | Age: 27\"\"Australian Opals captain Ezi Magbegor. Photo: FIBA.com<\/p>\n

Games: 4 I Minutes: 87:03 (21.8 mpg)<\/p>\n

Averages 12.3 points I 5.3 rebounds I 1.8 assists I 0.5 steals I 0.0 blocks I 1.3 turnovers I 60.5% FG I 42.9% 3PT I 0.0% FT<\/p>\n

Tournament Totals 49 points I 21 rebounds I Seven assists I Two steals I Three made threes<\/p>\n

Best Game: 21 points, three rebounds and three assists vs Turkiye<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/p>\n

Tore her right ACL at the 5:51 mark of the first quarter against Italy.FIBA has her at exactly 4:09 in that game, which corroborates the timing independently.Across her three complete games she averaged 15.7 points and 27:38 a game.Shot 60.5% from the field, the best mark of any Australian starter.Named in all five squads and played four.#20 Isobel Borlase | Guard | Age: 21\"AustralianAustralian Opals guard Isobel Borlase. Photo: FIBA.com<\/p>\n

Games: 5 I Minutes: 115:01 (23.0 mpg)<\/p>\n

Averages 11.6 points I 4.6 rebounds I 3.0 assists I 0.8 steals I 0.4 blocks I 2.8 turnovers I 36.0% FG I 26.7% 3PT I 85.7% FT<\/p>\n

Tournament Totals 58 points I 23 rebounds I 15 assists I Four steals I Two blocks I Four made threes<\/p>\n

Best Game: 30 points, five assists and four rebounds vs Italy<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/p>\n

Scored 30 against Italy, the highest single-game total by any Australian at the tournament.Took 14 of her 21 tournament free throws in that one game.85.7% from the free-throw line, the best mark among the regular rotation.Started three of five and finished second on the team for minutes among the guards.Turned 22 two days after the campaign ended.#22 Zitina Aokuso | Center | Age: 27\"AustralianAustralian Opals centre Zitina Aokuso. Photo: FIBA.com<\/p>\n

Games: 5 I Minutes: 104:59 (21.0 mpg)<\/p>\n

Averages 8.2 points I 4.0 rebounds I 1.0 assists I 1.0 steals I 0.0 blocks I 3.0 turnovers I 57.1% FG I No 3PT attempts I 60.0% FT<\/p>\n

Tournament Totals 41 points I 20 rebounds I Five assists I Five steals<\/p>\n

Best Game: 15 points and six rebounds on 6-from-6 shooting vs Italy<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/p>\n

Shot a perfect 6-from-6 against Italy.57.1% from the field across the campaign.Grabbed six offensive rebounds, equal second on the team.Came off the bench in four of five games.Her 15 against Italy came in the game Australia won by two.#23 Alex Fowler | Forward | Age: 25\"AustralianAustralian Opals forward Alex Fowler. Photo: FIBA.com<\/p>\n

Games: 5 I Minutes: 80:06 (16.0 mpg)<\/p>\n

Averages 4.0 points I 3.0 rebounds I 0.6 assists I 0.2 steals I 0.0 blocks I 1.2 turnovers I 40.0% FG I 0.0% 3PT I 80.0% FT<\/p>\n

Tournament Totals 20 points I 15 rebounds I Three assists I One steal<\/p>\n

Best Game: 10 points and four rebounds vs Turkiye<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/p>\n

Went 6-from-6 from the free-throw line against Turkiye.80.0% from the line across the campaign.Collected six offensive rebounds, equal second on the team.Finished with a plus-18, the second-best mark in the squad.Did not make a three-pointer in six attempts.#34 Isabelle Bourne | Forward | Age: 25\"\"Australian Opals forward Isabelle Bourne. Photo: FIBA.com<\/p>\n

Games: 5 I Minutes: 81:23 (16.3 mpg)<\/p>\n

Averages 2.2 points I 1.2 rebounds I 1.2 assists I 0.8 steals I 0.2 blocks I 0.4 turnovers I 26.7% FG I 16.7% 3PT I 100.0% FT<\/p>\n

Tournament Totals 11 points I Six rebounds I Six assists I Four steals I One block I One made three<\/p>\n

Best Game: three rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block vs Turkiye<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/p>\n

Perfect from the free-throw line, two from two.Recorded three steals and a block against Turkiye.Started three of five games.Committed only two turnovers in 81 minutes.Her four steals came in three different games.#55 Chloe Bibby | Power Forward | Age: 28\"AustralianAustralian Opals forward Chloe Bibby. Photo: FIBA.com<\/p>\n

Games: 5 I Minutes: 84:04 (16.8 mpg)<\/p>\n

Averages 5.4 points I 1.8 rebounds I 0.6 assists I 0.6 steals I 0.0 blocks I 0.8 turnovers I 38.5% FG I 20.0% 3PT I 66.7% FT<\/p>\n

Tournament Totals 27 points I Nine rebounds I Three assists I Three steals I Three made threes<\/p>\n

Best Game: 13 points and three rebounds vs Spain<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/p>\n

The only Australian never to start a game.Scored 13 against Spain, her best of the campaign, in the heaviest minutes she played.Committed only four turnovers in five games.Averaged 16:49 off the bench.Attempted 15 threes, second most on the team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Five games in eight days, a captain lost to an ACL, and just nine players left standing in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":887997,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[574],"tags":[64,63,726,85],"class_list":["post-887996","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-basketball","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-basketball","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/887996","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=887996"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/887996\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/887997"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=887996"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=887996"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=887996"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}