Australian basketball's 2021 Christmas wish list

The festive season is upon us, and you might be writing your Christmas list, but what does Australian basketball want?

As I’m sure Michael Buble has sung at least once…

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

And with the festive season upon us, it seems only fair to think about what Australian basketball might want for Christmas. Of course, there are the standard basketball wishes like a new ball, an NBA jersey, and a hoop for the backyard. But considering this for the entirety of the Australian basketball public, we’re thinking on a slightly grander scale.

Presenting to you, with the most seasonal of greetings, Australian basketball’s 2021 Christmas list.

1. A year of stability and a World Cup medal for the Opals

FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup @FIBAWWC

Golden Opals 🥇 15 years ago today, the @aus_opals won the #FIBAWWC in Brazil by beating Russia in the Final! Can they do it again next year in front of their home crowd? 🧐 @BasketballAus

The last 12 months haven’t been the most stable for one of the greatest national teams this country has ever seen. The Cambage drama has taken away from the on-court action and there has been plenty of selection and play-calling questions raised by those who tuned into the Tokyo Games.

With the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup set to be held in Australia, all we ask is a smooth lead-up and a great tournament. The Opals have so much young exciting talent coming through and a big home tournament with a strong preparation has all the ingredients of a breakout for those young guns on the big stage.

7NEWS Adelaide @7NewsAdelaide

One of the best recruits in @AdelLightning history is finally training with the team more than a year after she signed on. @AlannaSmith96 says she is ready to make up for lost time in the @WNBL. 7NEWS.com.au @JohnCasey2880 #7NEWS

Picture the likes of Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith and Shyla Heal dominating the floor alongside players such as Bec Allen and Sami Whitcomb as the Opals get back on the podium in a major competition on home soil.

In the words of Mariah Carey…

I don’t want a lot for Christmas, there’s just one thing I need. It’s a great year for our Opals, underneath the Christmas tree.

2. A free run for the NBL & WNBL

We’re all set for another huge summer of basketball, with both the NBL and WNBL jam-packed with Aussie and overseas talent. So please, Hoops Santa, find it in your warm, milk and cookie-dependent heart to give us a relatively free run.