July 10, 2025
Australian Opals make their way to China in search of Asia Cup title
Cayla George: 'Our goal is to be on that podium and to enjoy the process'
The Australian Opals have made their way to Shenzhen, China for the 2025 Asia Cup. The Opals hosted the tournament in 2023 where they took away bronze while China won gold. They look to flip their fortunes with their hosting responsibilities.
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The team has a strong WNBL representation, with 10 of the 12 players under contract for the next season. Steph Reid and Chloe Bibby are the two players without WNBL contracts. Both players found extreme success in Europe last season and took away some fort hardware, with Bibby named the MVP of the Spanish league. Bibby is also fresh off a stint with the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA.
2024 Atlanta Dream draftee Isobel Borlase will make her Asia Cup debut on the back of continued development and an Olympic bronze medal in Paris last year. Alex Wilson had a training camp contract with the Chicago Sky this most previous preseason but ultimately didn’t make the roster.
2023 WNBA champion with the Las Vegas Aces Cayla George will be leading the team in seek of one thing and one thing only. George told The Next, “our goal is to be on that podium and to enjoy the process.”
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Australia is currently ranked second in the world by FIBA behind only the United States. This means they rank first among countries in the Asia Cup, with the next highest team being China at fourth. The Opals will need to bring their best to come away with a gold medal.
Associate head coach Paul Goriss spoke on what the team’s focus is on with Sandy Brondello’s coaching absence. He told The Next, “our ability to improve in the style that Sandy wants to play and that we become more comfortable with our chemistry, on court synergy and to get better every game to play our best basketball in the final.”
The lead up to an international tournament can come around quickly and a group gelling quickly is imperative. Goriss shared a few of the things the Opals have galvanised over, “Tess Madgen is here as an assistant coach, former captain and leads our culture. Tess’s passion for the Opals is on display for everyone to see.
“She brings players’ perspective to the staff and to assist the players alongside coaching legend Cheryl Chambers as well as former Opals point guard and now assistant coach Kristi Harrower. We have amazing staff on and off court to help build our chemistry, Opals values and leadership.”
Madgen is one of the most reliable Opals of all time. She was crucial in the team finding the podium in Paris. She is one of one as a leader and would hit a huge shot whenever called upon late down the stretch. Whenever or whatever the Opals needed, she would provide and is still in a position to do so from the bench.
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On the court, the team is looking to establish a typical Opals play style, as Goriss said. “We want to establish our defence, toughness, pressure and be relentless with our ball pressure.”
Stingy, physical, annoying defence is a hallmark of Australian basketball. It’s where the game plan starts. Current Australians in the WNBA include Alanna Smith, Ezi Magbegor, Steph Talbot, Jade Melbourne, Bec Allen, some of the leagues best defenders. Of the Aussie squad, Sami Whitcomb brings in the rear as it pertains to defense, but can still hold her own, while providing deadly three point shooting.
The group that’s in China is committed to the task now, with Cayla sharing “our focus is making sure we stay consistent in playing the Opals way.”
Australia maintains a we-over-me attitude regardless of who is representing the Opals and this tournament is no different. “It feels really good anytime we get to put on the green and gold,” Cayla said. “This group is eager to get stuck into the tournament and in true Aussie style making sure we have fun while competing hard!”
Their group phase is set with their first matchup against the Philippines on Sunday night, Australian eastern time. The last time they met, Australia won 105-34. They will also face off against Lebanon and Japan before the tournament moves into the finals bracket.
