The Australian Boomers will be looking to go one step further in Paris 2024, sights set on gold following their Tokyo 2020 bronze medal success. While the Australian Opals are seeking to return to their history of Olympic success following a challenging campaign at the last Games.
Overview
The Australian Women’s Basketball Team, the Australian Opals, are primed for success in Paris 2024 with a star-studded roster.
WNBA talent Alanna Smith, Ezi Magbegor, Jade Melbourne, Kristy Wallace, Sami Whitcomb and Rebecca Allen will line-up alongside Basketball legend and now five-time Olympian Lauren Jackson and Opals captain Tess Madgen.
The Opals experienced a difficult campaign in Tokyo 2020, finishing eighth overall following tough losses against China and Belgium. However, they will be fired up and looking for redemption in Paris when they face Canada, Nigeria and the home nation of France in their initial Group B matches.
The Opals have previously secured three silver medals in Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, following matches against the USA.
Following their historic bronze medal moment in Tokyo 2020, the Australian Boomers have great aspirations in Paris.
Having earned recent praise from USA’s head coach Steve Kerr following an Olympic warm-up match, the Boomers are looking strong in their quest to continue their international success.
Now five-time Olympians Patty Mills and Joe Ingles will once again lead the Boomers on court, with NBA stars Josh Giddey, Jock Landale, Dyson Daniels, Dante Exum and Duop Reath all in the squad.
In a remarkable comeback, veteran Matthew Dellavedova has made his Boomers return following missing the team’s last World Cup campaign.
The Boomers face a tough group stage with opponents Spain, Greece and Canada likely to challenge the hungry Aussies quest for another medal.
Ones to Watch
Australia
The Opals have a mix of experience in both veterans and youth. Young gun Jade Melbourne is a rising star of the sport, while Australia’s greatest-of-all-time Lauren Jackson has been unstoppable in her most recent court appearances in NBL1.
Meanwhile, the Boomers’s newest NBA star Josh Giddey has incredible promise having quickly made a statement in the United States with fiery scoring ability and quick feet.
International
In keeping with tradition, Team USA pose a threat to the field having brought the NBA league's biggest stars to Paris 2024.
Sport Format
One of the most popular sports in the world, basketballers pass and dribble the ball up the court and shoot or dunk the ball into the hoop. Traditionally, played by teams of five.
The winner is the team with the most points at the end of the game. Teams can earn points in two ways -scoring field goals or baskets or through free throws. A field goal is two points from within the arc, a free throw one point, and three points from outside the arc.
The winner is the team that scores the most points after 40 minutes of game time. If teams are tied and regulation time runs out, a five-minute overtime period is played to determine the winner. If still tied after an overtime period, overtime periods will keep being played until there is a winner.
Schedule
The Australian Boomers Olympic campaign begins with their Group A match against Spain on 27 July. The Opals will face Nigeria in their opening match of their Group B schedule on 29 July, with all pool games taking place at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, 220km north of Paris.
