Five WNBA Australians headline Sandy Brondello’s Opals squad for World Cup qualifying in Türkiye

Five Australians who played in the WNBA in 2025 anchor Sandy Brondello‘s 12-player FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament team in March 2026.

Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb, Minnesota Lynx WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith, Seattle Storm centre Ezi Magbegor, Washington Mystics point guard Jade Melbourne, Indiana Fever wing Chloe Bibby and New York Liberty forward Steph Talbot will all go to Türkiye to help the Opals prepare for the 2026 World Cup in September.

The Opals have already qualified after winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.

Australian Opals 12-player Team‍Zitina Aokuso: UC Capitals, WNBLChloe Bibby: Uni Girona CB, Liga Femenina, WNBAIsobel Borlase: Bendigo Spirit, WNBLAlex Fowler: Townsville Fire, WNBLCayla George: Southside Flyers, WNBLEzi Magbegor: Seattle Storm, WNBAJade Melbourne: UC Capitals, WNBLSteph Reid: Sopron Basket, EuroCup WomenAlanna Smith: Minnesota Lynx, WNBASteph Talbot: Adelaide Lightning, WNBL, WNBASami Whitcomb: Beşiktaş, Turkish Super League, WNBAAlex Wilson: Perth Lynx, WNBL

Rising star guard Isobel Borlase, 21, Opals veteran Cayla George, Townsville Fire’s Alex Fowler, UC Capitals centre Zitina Aokuso and Perth’s Alex Wilson have all made the team.

Brondello cut Fire stars Miela Sowah, Courtney Woods, and Abbey Ellis, as well as Southside’s Maddi Rocci, and UC Capitals Sara Blicavs.

FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament

Dates: March 11–18, 2026
Location: Istanbul, Türkiye

Australia – Group Phase Schedule (AEDT)Argentina vs Australia
Wednesday, March 11 – 10:30PM
IstanbulAustralia vs Japan
Thursday, March 12 – 10:30PM
IstanbulAustralia vs Hungary
Saturday, March 14 – 10:30PM
IstanbulTürkiye vs Australia
Monday, March 16 – 4:30AM
IstanbulAustralia vs Canada
Wednesday, March 18 – 1:30AM
IstanbulThe Australian Opals celebrate at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Photo: Basketball AustraliaAustralia Squad – World Cup Qualifying 19-player squadAmy Atwell – Perth Lynx (WNBL). Age: 27Abbey Ellis – Townsville Fire (WNBL). Age: 24Isobel Borlase – Bendigo Spirit (WNBL). Age: 21Jade Melbourne – Canberra Capitals (WNBA / WNBL). Age: 23Steph Reid – Dongguan New Century (WCBA). Age: 29Maddy Rocci – Southside Melbourne Flyers (WNBL). Age: 27Alex Wilson – Perth Lynx (WNBL). Age: 31Courtney Woods – Townsville Fire (WNBL). Age: 28Zitina Aokuso – Canberra Capitals (WNBL). Age: 27Chloe Bibby – Uni Girona CB (WNBA / Liga Femenina de Baloncesto). Age: 27Sara Blicavs – Canberra Capitals (WNBL). Age: 32Issy Bourne – Southside Melbourne Flyers (WNBL). Age: 25Alex Fowler – Townsville Fire (WNBL). Age: 24Miela Sowah – Townsville Fire (WNBL). Age: 25Steph Talbot – Adelaide (WNBA / WNBL). Age: 31Cayla George – Southside Melbourne Flyers (WNBL). Age: 36Ezi Magbegor – Seattle Storm (WNBA). Age: 26Alanna Smith – Minnesota Lynx (WNBA). Age: 29Sami Whitcomb – Beşiktaş (WNBA / Turkish Super League). Age: 37