Is this the Opals squad that will return to the Olympic podium?

While there’s still one final box to tick before the Opals book their Olympic ticket, is the 20-woman squad named earlier this week capable of medaling at the 2024 Olympics?

The goal is clear for the Opals heading into 2024; return to the Olympic podium in Paris.

Image credit: FIBA

While it certainly won’t be easy when you look at the nations that are rising up the ranks and the powerhouse that is USA, the Opals 20-woman squad named earlier this week is one that boasts an exciting mix of veteran experience, youthful exuberance and perhaps most importantly after their last Olympic campaign; a real sense of togetherness and continuity.

Standing between the Opals and an Olympic berth is the final step in qualification; the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers. Australia is in Group A and will head to Brazil in February to take on Germany, Serbia and host nation Brazil, with the top three teams officially booking their ticket to Paris.

A heartbreaking two-point loss to Serbia in the quarter-finals of the 2016 Olympics and an eighth-placed finish at the 2020 Olympics means the Opals will head into the Paris Olympics having not secured a medal since 2012. In London, it was Lauren Jackson who led Australia home in the bronze medal game against Russia as the legend poured in a game-high 25 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in the memorable 83-74 win.

Fast forward 12 years and unbelievably - or believably after the last two years of Jackson’s career – she’s very much in the picture to be back on the Olympic stage next year.

There will be fierce competition for spots on the final 12-woman roster, but looking at the 20 player squad, it has the makings of a defensive juggernaut.