Following the conclusion of their camp in Canberra and a 3-0 series whitewash against China, the Australian Opals squad of 12 has been named for the 2019 FIBA Asia Cup to be held in Bengaluru, India from 24-29 September.

The squad includes a trio of WNBA stars, including recently named Most Improved Player Leilani Mitchell of the Phoenix Mercury. She links with Rebecca Allen (New York) and Stephanie Talbot (Minnesota) as those returning to the Opals fold after playing in the US.

Superstar centre Liz Cambage was unavailable for selection due to he commitments with the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA playoffs, with her team currently trailing the Washington Mystics 0-2 in the semi finals.

The void in the middle will be filled by the likes of veteran Cayla George and rising star Ezi Magbegor. The latter demonstrated her capabilities in amassing 20 points in their final exhibition win against China this week.

Australia will look towards the Asia Cup with gold as the goal, having lost the 2017 final to Japan in a thrilling encounter.

“Definitely. We have high expectations for ourselves,” Head coach, Sandy Brondello said. “Everything is important now, we’re leading into the Olympics with all of these qualifications. If we finish number 1, it gives us a better ranking and a better group for the November qualifier.”

China will join the Philippines and New Zealand in Group B with the Opals. Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei and India will make up Group A.

Since losing to Japan in the final of the 2017 event, the Opals have gone on to win silver at the 2018 FIBA World Cup. They enter the event as the highest ranked team, coming in at number 3. China is the next highest nation ranked at 7, while defending champion Japan is ranked 10.

The Opals will begin their Asia Cup campaign against the Philippines on Tuesday, tip-off is at 5:45pm (AEST).

All Opals games will be LIVE on Fox Sports channel 507.

Australian Opals for 2019 FIBA Asia Cup

Rebecca ALLEN | New York Liberty (WNBA) / Arka Gdynia (Poland)

Abby BISHOP | Townsville Fire

Sara BLICAVS | Southside Flyers

Katie EBZERY | Perth Lynx

Darcee GARBIN | Townsville Fire

Cayla GEORGE | Melbourne Boomers

Ezi MAGBEGOR | Melbourne Boomers

Leilani MITCHELL | Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) / Southside Flyers

Lauren NICHOLSON | Adelaide Lightning

Jenna O’HEA | Southside Flyers

Nicole SEEKAMP | Adelaide Lightning

Stephanie TALBOT | Minnesota Lynx (WNBA) / Adelaide Lightning

Opals FIBA Asia Cup schedule

24 September: Opals vs Philippines – Tip-off at 5:45pm (AEST)

25 September: Opals vs New Zealand – Tip-off at 5:45pm (AEST)

26 September: Opals vs China – Tip-off at 8:00pm (AEST)

27 September: 2nd and 3rd place teams to play (Winner of groups advance)

28 September: Semi-finals

29 September: Medal games

2019 FIBA Asia Cup Site

The Pick and Roll

Opals named for FIBA Asia Cup redemption