Sitaya Fagan blazed her own trail to the USC Trojans
Since starring for the Australian Gems at the 2025 under 19 World Cup, Sitaya Fagan has been atop her class at every checkpoint.
Photo credit: USC Athletics
It’s been a whirlwind year for sitaya Fagan. It was in July last year that she suited up the Australian Gems in their World Cup campaign against Brazil in Czechia. In July this year, she took to the court against China in Melbourne wearing the Opals green and gold jersey with the number 1 on it, her name draped across the back.
The talented forward recently sat down with The Pick and Roll and reflected on these two massive milestones in her life.
“I think, personally in 2025 the World Cup, I was more anxious, more nervous to play on the court. You’d overthink a lot more things and that sort of stuff. But when I got on the court last week, I just felt more composed. I felt like, just give it your best shot, and whatever happens happens.”
What happened was an 18-year-old Fagan clocking 20 minutes across two games against China wearing an Opals singlet. She received a huge cheer in both the pregame and when she stepped on the floor in front of a home town crowd. She even made sure to secure a few highlights when she was out there.
“I love playing World Cups, meeting people from different countries. You get to work out who you’re gonna play in the finals, and it’s just, it’s really fun to watch all the games. So whenever I get to represent at a World Cup stage, it’s the best opportunity in the world. Then, obviously, playing for the Opals is something every Australian girl dreams of, since you were, like, six years old. So to be able to participate in that and not only participate, but play some decent minutes, that’s definitely a really good feeling.”
A lot has happened in that year, and there’s plenty more to come. It feels like everywhere Fagan could have been between those two games, she was.
