Looking ahead: What could the next generation of Opals look like?

After winning bronze in Paris, who might be heading to L.A.? The Opals could look vastly different in 2028.

Photo credit: FIBA

The Opals arrived in Paris with one mission: finishing on the podium. Coach Sandy Brondello straddled a fine line by selecting a roster that perfectly complemented both youth and experience, leaning on her veteran leaders while embracing the stars of tomorrow. While things looked like unravelling after the first game, the Opals leaned into their identity and culture to overcome the weight of expectation, and ultimately secured a legacy defining bronze medal.

The enduring memory of Paris will be a symbol of success, but as we prepare for the next cycle, it could also serve as a swansong for many of the country’s greatest servants. The likes of Lauren Jackson (currently 43), Sami Whitcomb (36), Cayla Georgia (35), Marianna Tolo (35), and captain Tess Madgen (34), are all likely to age out of the next Olympic cycle. By 2028, two of the country’s most valuable contributors in Steph Talbot (will be 34) and Bec Allen (will be 35) are going to be in the twilight of their careers.

The prospect of potentially losing seven players from a national program should usually signal a seismic shift in both the outlook and identity of a team, but the future of Australian women’s basketball could barely be brighter. It might well be the end of an era, but generation next is amongst the most exciting in Opals history.